One of the craziest storylines from the 2024 season has been the turnaround of the New York Mets. Go back to May 29th when the Mets were eleven games under .500. With a record of 22-33 they sat 16 games back of first in the NL East. As well as six games out of the final Wild Card spot. It seemed like it would be another lost season for the Mets, and they were going to offload pieces at the deadline.
However, over the past month and a half the Mets have been the best team in baseball. They’ve gone 27-11 over that stretch and have re-entered the playoff race. They now sit in the final Wild Card spot and are only a half-game behind the Cardinals for the second spot. The main reason for this turnaround has been their offense. Since moving Fransisco Lindor to the leadoff spot, the Mets rank among the best in the majors, with the most impressive feat being scoring the most runs per game.
Despite all their success, there is one area where this team is struggling, the bullpen. The Mets have had difficulty finding reliable arms to close out games. If the Mets want to make a playoff push this season, they have to solve this problem. Here are a few relievers the Mets should target at this year’s deadline.
Scott Alexander
When people talk about A’s relievers who might get moved, they’re normally talking about Mason Miller. However, Miller would cost a lot to acquire and there is no guarantee he’ll be pitching as well as he has this season, over the next five. A more realistic option would be his teammate Scott Alexander.
In 18.2 innings this season the lefty has pitched to a 2.89 ERA with nine strikeouts to six walks and a 1.018 WHIP. Even his advanced numbers show how reliable he’s been this season having an ERA+ of 139 and an opponent OPS of .605. Alexander wouldn’t cost much to acquire. With him being a free agent at the end of this season the Mets wouldn’t have to give up one of their top prospects to get him. At worst, it would only cost them a prospect somewhere between 20-25.
Trevor Richards
The Blue Jays are expected to be one of the more active teams around the deadline. With them in last place in the hardest division in baseball, there is little hope for October baseball in the great white north. This will cause the Jays to look to unload some pieces to upgrade their farm system and focus on the future. One of the players the Mets should target in their fire sale is Trevor Richards.
In 49.2 innings this season he has an ERA of 3.62 with 48 strikeouts to 19 walks and a WHIP of 0.946. He also has an ERA+ of 112 and an opponent OPS of .537. However, where Richards really excelled this season was in June. He pitched to a 1.23 ERA over 14.2 innings with 14 strikeouts to three walks and a .75 WHIP. Sure July hasn’t been nearly as good as his June, with his ERA approaching ten. As long as he can pitch to his season average he’d be a great pickup.
Tanner Scott
Tanner Scott is expected to be one of the biggest prizes at this year’s deadline. If Miller isn’t on the block, then Scott is going to be the best available reliever. The Marlins closer has an ERA of 1.34 over 40.1 innings pitched with 45 strikeouts to 25 walks and a 1.066 WHIP. He also has an ERA+ of 329 and an opponent OPS of .464. If the Mets want a significant upgrade in their pen, Scott would be their answer.
The main hurdle preventing this trade is the fact that it would be in the division. Do the Marlins want to send their best bullpen arm to their division rival? Watch him help the Mets chance their playoff dreams? Sure there have been deals like this in the past, specifically the David Roberston trade. However, that was the Mets sending a reliever to the Marlins, we don’t know if the Marlins feel the same.
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