One half of the Mets’ pitching equation appears set, but there are still pieces missing from the other.
After last week filling their rotation by agreeing to multiyear contracts with Justin Verlander, Jose Quintana and Kodai Senga, team officials are looking toward a bullpen that could still use one or two high-leverage arms.
Two big holes were filled with the arrivals of David Robertson and Brooks Raley in recent days, but at least one additional high-leverage option leading into closer Edwin Diaz is seen as necessary.
To that end, the team still hasn’t ruled out a reunion with Adam Ottavino, who was the Mets’ best setup reliever last season. And general manager Billy Eppler is still open to exploring the trade market — a route he went in plucking the left-hander Raley from the Rays.
Ottavino, 37, is expected to land a multiyear deal as one of the top relievers still available on the free-agent market after last season pitching to a 2.06 ERA in 66 appearances — a stretch in which he avoided anything close to a slump. Team officials like the fact the Brooklyn native has shown a makeup to handle the highs and lows that go with pitching in New York, following a previous stint with the Yankees.
In that regard, he is similar to the 37-year-old Robertson, whose experience includes a World Series title with the Yankees in 2009. The right-hander, who arrived on a one-year contract worth $10 million, pitched in the World Series for the Phillies last season after arriving from the Cubs at the trade deadline.
Other names the Mets could still pursue on the free-agent market — in addition to or instead of Ottavino — include Corey Knebel, Andrew Chafin, Michael Fulmer and Craig Kimbrel.
A key component of the Mets’ bullpen in recent seasons, Seth Lugo, has received interest on the free-agent market as a starter (a role he has indicated he prefers) and does not appear likely to return.
The Mets pursued free-agent lefty Taylor Rogers (who has a good working relationship with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner from the Twins), but were dissuaded by his price tag, prompting Eppler to shift toward Raley — whom the Mets acquired for pitching prospect Keyshawn Askew. The lefty Raley will receive $4.5 million this season on a contract that carries a club option for 2024.
At this point, Diaz, Robertson, Raley and Drew Smith are known quantities among the Mets relievers. John Curtiss’ chances of sticking on the major league roster are also strong given the work the organization put in on rehabbing the right-hander last season after signing him following his Tommy John surgery. Zach Greene, a right-hander selected in the Rule 5 draft, will also have an inside track on a job — if he isn’t placed on the 26-man roster he must be offered back to the Yankees
Other relievers the Mets will evaluate in spring training include Tommy Hunter, Zach Muckenhirn, Jeff Brigham, Elieser Hernandez, Jimmy Yacabonis and Stephen Ridings.
Hernandez could potentially fill the swingman role vacated by Trevor Williams (he signed with the Nationals over the weekend) and Brigham — who was acquired in the same trade with the Marlins — received positive reviews from former Miami manager Don Mattingly.
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