According to a report by Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles, the Mets are keeping an eye on J.P. Howell, Paco Rodriguez, and Adam Liberatore from the Dodgers in case one of them becomes available.
Howell, 31, is owed $4 million this season and the Dodgers hold a $6.25 million option on him for 2016, so not sure he’ll appeal to the Mets at that price. And as for the other two, the Dodgers can simply send them to the minors as both Rodriguez and Liberatore still have options remaining.
Howell had a solid season in 2014, posting a 2.39 ERA in 68 appearances for the Dodgers and holding left-handed hitters to a .170 average. Rodriguez, 23, posted a 3.86 ERA in 19 appearances and held left-handed hitters to a .241 average for the Dodgers. Liberatore, 27, is a career minor leaguer with no MLB service time.
Adam Rubin of ESPN New York hears that the Mets are still interested in Rex Brothers from the Rockies. Brothers posted a 5.59 ERA in 74 appearances last season for Colorado.
With rule 5 pick Sean Gilmartin, and minor leaguers Scott Rice and Dario Alvarez pitching better of late, the Mets may be less inclined to make a move.
That said, Saxon did add that a Mets official acknowledged the club is talking to multiple teams about acquiring left-handed relief help. We’ll see.
