For a staff with World Sequence aspirations, constructing a dependable bullpen is important. Whereas the New York Mets took some calculated dangers on a number of low-cost arms this offseason, there’s nonetheless room so as to add a extra established presence to improve a bullpen that ranked seventeenth in MLB with a 4.03 ERA final season.
Edwin Díaz, Reed Garrett, Dedniel Núñez, Danny Younger, and Sean Reid-Foley headline the names anticipated to return to the Mets’ bullpen in 2025. In addition they have swingmen like Jose Butto and Tylor Megill, who can begin, together with a number of cheap additions competing for roster spots in spring coaching: Dylan Covey, Chris Devenski, Justin Hagenman, Hobie Harris, and Anthony Gose.
In early December, the Mets signed two-time All-Star nearer Clay Holmes to a three-year, $38 million deal. Whereas the right-hander may ultimately transition right into a setup function behind Díaz—one other two-time All-Star nearer—the present plan is for Holmes to stretch out as a starter in 2025.
If the Mets are actually assured in Holmes’ means to deal with a starter’s workload, they need to haven’t any bother going after one other high-leverage reliever in free company.
A number of intriguing names stay obtainable, however contemplating Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns’ historical past of avoiding long-term pitching contracts—such because the one Tanner Scott may command—a extra reasonably priced veteran like Kirby Yates may verify all of the containers.
Yates, who turns 38 in March, bounced between groups early in his profession earlier than discovering stability with the San Diego Padres in 2017. Over 4 seasons with the Padres, Yates posted a powerful 2.55 ERA in 183.2 innings, putting out 286 batters, strolling 53, and saving 56 video games. In 2019, he led MLB with 41 saves throughout an All-Star marketing campaign.
Final offseason, Yates signed a one-year, $4.5 million cope with the reigning World Sequence champion Texas Rangers, happening to have his finest season since 2019. Named to his second All-Star staff, Yates posted a 1.17 ERA over 61.2 innings, changing 33 of his 34 save alternatives.
Yates is actually a two-pitch pitcher, delivering solely six sliders in comparison with 623 four-seam fastballs and 397 splitters in 2024. His 93 mph heater was significantly dominant, producing a +18 run value final season. It was the 15th-best run value by any pitch in MLB final yr, rating simply behind Paul Skenes’ sinker.
Kirby Yates, Ok’ing the Facet within the ninth. pic.twitter.com/zGYjfjm1eT
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 6, 2024
The most important concern with Yates is his stroll price. He ranked within the eighth percentile in stroll proportion (11.8%) in 2024, properly above the league common of seven.6%.
Regardless of his management points, Yates compensates by lacking bats at an elite price. His strikeout proportion of 35.9% positioned him within the 98th percentile, far above the league common of 20.4%. He additionally ranked within the ninety fifth percentile in barrel proportion (4.1%).
If Yates have been to affix the Mets, he would probably return to a setup function behind Díaz, although his closing expertise can be precious as a security internet. As efficient as Díaz is, the celebrity nearer did expertise some chilly spells in 2024 earlier than discovering his kind down the stretch.
Yates is more likely to obtain a modest pay elevate on this yr’s free-agent market, however on account of his age, he’s unlikely to command a multi-year deal. This might work within the Mets’ favor, aligning with Stearns’ historic strategy of allocating fewer sources to pitchers.
Whereas the Mets may have continued their spending spree after flexing their monetary muscle to pry Juan Soto away from the New York Yankees, Stearns has been extra measured, betting on secondary free brokers like Holmes, Frankie Montas, Griffin Canning, and a group of relievers on minor league offers to maximise their potential in Queens—very similar to Sean Manaea and Luis Severino did in 2024. The Mets additionally re-signed Manaea to a three-year, $75 million deal.
Nevertheless, with NL rivals just like the Los Angeles Dodgers persevering with to spend massive even after their All-Star-loaded roster cruised to a World Sequence title in October, the Mets haven’t any excuse to not go all-in with their present group.
In a market the place pitching is paramount, the Mets have an opportunity to leverage their sources with out committing to long-term offers, offering them the flexibleness to make future strikes and the bullpen depth wanted to contend for a championship.
