Mets expected to be very active in the markets heading into spring training
Plus, with Tanner Scott headed to LA, look for the rest of the relief market to start moving with the Mets needing more in the bullpen
What’s up with the Mets? 🍎
The Mets should be very active in the markets leading up to spring training (New York Post)
Former Mets manager Jeff Torberg passed away at the age of 83 (Howie Rose)
Rumor Mill 💨
With Tanner Scott off the board the market for RHP Carlos Estevez is intensifying, with the Blue Jays and Cubs expressing interest (MLB Network)
Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters that Seiya Suzuki will be the Cubs primary DH in 2025 (Marquee Sports Network)
The Blue Jays are showing interest in RHP Max Scherzer (Sportsnet)
Relief Dominoes should fall quickly with Tanner Scott off the board…✍️
Lefty Tanner Scott was the inarguable cream of the crop when it came to free-agent relief pitchers this winter. The veteran entered the open market coming off notching 54 saves and 39 holds over the last three seasons, and had just made his first All-Star team.
Scott understandably had a spot for himself at the deep end of the relief pool, and over the last week or so there were rumblings that the Mets had ventured for a dip in that part of the water.
Sunday’s news that Scott had agreed to a deal with Los Angeles was frustrating for a variety of reasons, but that’s a story for a different day.
Most relevant to the here and now is the fact that I’d expect the rest of the free agent relievers crop to come flying off the board in short order now.
Scott had the market essentially held hostage, as almost every team in need of a high-leverage late-inning arm was in on him. Now the teams that came up short in that pursuit will immediately be pivoting to the next group of arms. And with less than four weeks before spring training camps open, the urgency to get deals done quickly will be intense.
As we know, the Mets desperately do need a bona fide eighth inning reliever to set the table for Edwin Díaz. Last week’s signing of longtime nemesis A.J. Minter is a real boon for the club’s left-handed relief, but if the season started today there would be far too much pressure on the likes of Dedniel Núñez and Reed Garrett to get big outs in the seventh and eighth inning.
Leading the pack of still-available free agent relievers is righty Carlos Estevez.
The last time the Mets saw him he was serving up Francisco Lindor’s storybook grand slam in Game Four of the NLDS, but don’t let that home run distract you from the year he had as a whole.
Splitting the campaign between the Angels and Phillies, Estevez turned in a 2.45 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP, while striking out just under a hitter perinning and registering 26 saves. The 32-year-old veteran stands out to me as an ideal candidate to join the back part of the Mets’ bullpen, but he’s not the only name that fits the bill.
Kirby Yates had a trio of lost seasons due to injury between ‘20-’22, but got his career back on track with the Braves in 2023, and last season in Texas he was sensational.
In 61 outings he posted a miniscule 1.17 ERA in 61.2 innings, while punching out 85 hitters and converting 33 saves.
Yates is almost certainly looking for a situation where he can close as well, which is why in my opinion Estevez feels more likely for the Mets, but you’d have to hope David Stearns and company are talking to both of them at the moment.
A reunion with a pair of pitchers who have pitched for the Mets in recent years—Ryne Stanek and David Robertson—could also be in the cards, and I’m sure New York is busy exploring all of these possibilities as shorter-term options (Reminder - Scott’s four year deal now offers a market precedent for other free agent closers).
But as mentioned above, Scott signing his contract with the Dodgers is likely going to be the straw that breaks the proverbial camel’s back as it pertains to getting the relief market moving. And with a flurry of deals likely looming, let’s hope the Mets can bring one or two of the names mentioned above to Queens.
Around the League 🚩
The Dodgers landed the premier reliever available on the free-agent market, inking LHP Tanner Scott to a four year contract on Sunday (ESPN)
Jacob deGrom is healthy and enjoying a normal off-season as he readies to pitch in 2025 (Dallas Morning News)
Once on the trade block, Seiya Suzuki is now expected to be the Cubs primary DH in 2025 (Marquee Sports)
MLB conducted an investigation to ensure clubs followed the rules ahead of Rōki Sasaki’s decision to sign with the Dodgers (LA Times)
I could see a reunion with Stanek or Robertson for the BP. We still need a bat. I’m still hoping it’s Pete 🤞
It's hard to understand why Uncle Steve spent like a drunken sailor on Soto and subsequently turned into Mr. Sobriety. Any ideas? Aside from pitching, isn't it just a tad optimistic to think Vientos will slide over to first without a problem and one of Mauricio, Baty, Acuna will hit? It's just as likely that Vientos doesn't handle first well or doesn't hit as well as last year and will anyone be shocked if none of the above 3 young unproven infielders hits? Unless something is done, they may flop big-time and Stearns's reputation as a "I can do a lot with a little" guru will take a major beating.