David Stearns knows what he needs.
Addressing the media on Wednesday to officially introduce the free agent signings of center fielder Harrison Bader and starting pitcher Luis Severino, Stearns acknowledged that further improving the Mets’ bullpen is currently his primary focus.
“(We) would like to add to our reliever mix,” Stearns said. “We want to put together the best unit that we possibly can as of Opening Day, but we also recognize that there are going to be opportunities to change the index and potentially improve as we go through a full season.”
The Mets, who reportedly have approximately $10 million left to spend in their off-season budget, have been recently linked to free agent relievers Wandy Peralta, Brent Suter and John Brebbia.
Peralta, 32, was 4-2 with a 2.83 ERA in 54 innings for the Yankees in 2023. Overall, he is 19-18 with a 3.88 ERA in eight full major league seasons.
Suter, 34, was 4-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 69.1 innings for Colorado in 2023. He pitched for Stearns and the Brewers from 2016-2022. Overall, he is 40-22 with a 3.39 ERA, also in eight full major league seasons.
Brebbia, 33, was 3-5 with a 3.99 ERA in 38.1 innings for San Francisco in 2023. Overall, he is 15-15 with a 3.42 ERA in six full major league seasons.
