The past couple of seasons Mets general manager Sandy Alderson has made trades to improve the bullpen late in the season. These include both now closer Addison Reed and righty Fernando Salas.
It may be time for Alderson to try to work his magic again for this Mets bullpen, just a little earlier this year.
The group has already been a bit shaky and overworked thus far this season. They also took a huge blow on Friday when news broke that Jeurys Familia had to undergo surgery for an arterial clot in his right arm pit and could miss the rest of the season.
The Mets certainly lack depth as far as pitching goes at the moment. In Triple-A Las Vegas they have some solid relievers, but few that are seen as MLB ready or big league caliber. If Alderson hopes to improve the bullpen, he will likely have to explore some trade options.
Some names that could become available on the trade market include:
- RHP David Robertson, CWS : 5 Saves, 2.31 ERA, 13.9 K/9
- RHP Nate Jones, CWS : 11.2 IP, 2.31 ERA, 11.6 K/9
- RHP Kelvin Herrera, KC : 5 Saves, 3.46 ERA, 0.93 WHIP
- RHP Alex Colome, TB : 8 Saves, 2.35 ERA, 5.9 H/9
Other names include the Padres LHP Brad Hand (0.86 WHIP), Athletics RHP Ryan Madson (1.35 ERA) and Pittsburgh’s LHP Tony Watson (1.32 ERA). However, with the Nationals also looking for a late inning arm, and the market already set so high the Mets may need to look for some smaller name relievers.
With the trade market not likely to open up for about another month, the Mets are going to have to make do with what they have in-house for now. Addison Reed opened the season as the closer with Familia suspended and he will fill that role again. He has closed a total of 110 games in his career, including his four converted save opportunities to begin this season.
Fernando Salas, Hansel Robles, and Jerry Blevins are all already being over-pitched and will be looked on upon even more. Rafael Montero is not a viable option, as he is nothing more than a four-A player. Paul Sewald is slowly emerging as a viable option in the bullpen, however the rookie should not be thrown into high leverage situations just yet.
The only way to solve all of these issues is for Sandy Alderson to go out and buy an arm, or maybe even two.
