The New York Mets have yet to dive into the free agent reliever market outside of a few minor league signings, yet still have holes in their bullpen.
Jerry Blevins is still a free agent and leaves the Mets without a true LOOGY because Josh Smoker struggles vs lefties and Terry Collins has yet to use Hansel Robles as the weapon he can be against them. Lefties have just a .577 OPS against Robles in his career.
Fernando Salas, who the Mets traded for last August, is still a free agent as well after shining in his limited time in New York. Re-signing him would help bridge to Addison Reed who will be the closer in the possible suspension absence of Jeurys Familia to start the season.
On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Brewers finalized a deal with right-handed reliever Neftali Feliz to be their closer. The Tampa Bay Rays are finalizing a deal with right-handed reliever Shawn Tolleson as the bullpen market continues dwindle.
So who’s left that could help the Mets bullpen outside of bringing Blevins and/or Salas?
RHP Greg Holland – In 2013 and 2014, Holland was one of the most dominant closers in the game, saving 93 games and pitching to a 1.32 ERA. In 129.1 innings he struck out 193 batters and pitched to an 0.889 WHIP. When his average fastball velocity took a downward turn in 2015, from over 96 MPH to 93.6 MPH, it was discovered that he had actually torn his ulnar collateral ligament late in the 2014 season, and it surely affected his performance. It will be 17 months since his surgery when 2017 spring training arrives.
Jim Bowden of ESPN reported on Wednesday that Holland could sign soon. Holland is also reportedly seeking a two-year deal that includes an opt out after the first year.
RHP Sergio Romo – Since 2008, Romo has been one of the most consistent relievers in the game for the San Francisco Giants. He sports a career 2.58 ERA and 2.71 FIP to go with a 0.8 HR/9, 1.8 BB/9, and 10.2 K/9. He has plenty of closing experience, having saved 84 games in his career. There has been very little chatter on the market for Romo to this point.
RHP Joe Blanton – Since moving to the bullpen full-time in 2015, Blanton has been very effective. In 2016, he went 7-2 with a 2.48 ERA (3.33 FIP) with a 1.013 WHIP. Both the Dodgers and Rockies have shown interest in the right-hander.
RHP Joe Smith – Since 2009, Smith has been one of the most reliable relievers in the game, appearing in 503 games (7th among Major League relievers), with a 2.80 ERA, 146 holds (5th), 1.151 WHIP, and 203 runners stranded (6th). Smith’s best overall season came in 2014 as a member of the Angels, where he posted a career best 1.81 ERA, tied his career high in wins with seven, pitched a career high 74.2 innings, had a career high 68 strikeouts, and posted his best WHIP at 0.804 (6th in the majors). Another reliever for who’s market has been extremely quiet.
LHP Travis Wood – Once a full time starter, Wood was an important cog in the Cubs’ bullpen during their World Series run. He was extremely effective against lefties in 2016, holding them to a .128/.208/.239 slash line. Overall, he went 4-0 with a 2.95 ERA. He has also been used as a pinch hitter, as he has nine career home runs. The Cubs remain interested in bringing back the lefty after missing out on Tyson Ross.
RHP Matt Belisle – The 36-year old reliever had a good 2016 season with the Washington Nationals. In 46 innings he had a 1.76 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a strong 4.57 K/BB ratio. Given his age and the fact that only received a minor league deal last year I would expect his price range to be a perfect for the Mets.
RHP David Hernandez – The 31-year old pitched a ton for the Phillies last season with 72.2 innings over 70 appearances in which he finished 16 games. He did strike out 80 batters in 2016, but also allowed 77 hits and 11 home runs. The good news is that he still throws hard (averaged 95 MPH on his fastball) and opponents had only a .576 OPS off his breaking ball last season.
LHP Boone Logan – He had great season with the Rockies with a ERA of 3.69 in 66 games. He struck out 57 batters in 46.1 innings while pitching to an impressive WHIP of 1.01. Logan was even better vs lefties in 2016, holding to them a lowly .142/.222/.252 slash line. It was reported very early in the offseason that the Mets were showing interest in the former Yankee.
LHP Javier Lopez – The overall numbers for his 2016 aren’t that appealing (4.50 ERA, 1.46 WHIP), but he was much better against left-handed hitters to which he to a .622 OPS. Lopez is the perfect definition of a LOOGY, he rarely pitches to more than a couple of batters and has held lefties to a .202/.283/.289 slash line in his career. He could be a good low cost back-up option to Blevins and Logan for the Mets.
