Options Abound for Teams Seeking Relief
In any given year, there are surprises—good and bad—and it seems a lot of the time the clubs that overachieve do it with the help of a strong bullpen while the teams that fall short of expectations suffer more than their fair share of late-inning meltdowns.
The Guardians, Brewers and Tigers—teams with 2024 preseason over/unders at 78.5, 77.5 and 80.5, respectively—each made the playoffs. Cleveland had the best bullpen ERA in the majors (2.57). Milwaukee was second (3.11) and Detroit was fifth (3.55).
Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
The defending champion Rangers had a preseason over/under of 89.5, its bullpen pitched to a 4.41 ERA (26th) and they won 78 games. The Mets bullpen ranked 17th with a 4.03 ERA.
With that, about six weeks before the start of spring training games, there remains a host of excellent relievers on the free agent market.
The best is lefty Tanner Scott, an All-Star for the Marlins last year (1.75 ERA, 84 Ks, 72 IP, 22 saves) who reportedly may receive a multi-year contract in the $20 million per range. The Red Sox, Braves and Dodgers have shown varying levels of interest. Will Sammon said the Mets have met with him, too.
David Stearns has never shown an inclination to spend big on relief pitchers and MMO’s James Villani wrote up a wonderful breakdown of how the Mets may look to build the 2025 bullpen. There are only four locks in the ‘pen as of now (Edwin Díaz, Reed Garrett, Dedniel Núñez and José Buttó) and they are all right-handed.
“The market is going to start moving here quick,” an agent told USA Today in an article posted Tuesday. “There are too many good relievers out there. The trouble is that right now these teams think back-end relievers are interchangeable.”
News & Notes on Relievers
Carlos Estévez, acquired by the Phillies from the Angels at the trade deadline, is also reportedly being pursued by the Red Sox, along with the Blue Jays and Cubs. Jon Heyman noted half a dozen teams are in on Estevez.
The Diamondbacks are interested in Kirby Yates (a bright spot in the Rangers’ bullpen with 33 saves and a 1.17 ERA).
Jeff Hoffman, a 2024 All-Star, is out there, but he may want to follow the path soon to be attempted by Clay Holmes and try to join a starting rotation. Reports indicate “many teams” interested in trying the conversion, but none specify which ones.
There is also Kenley Jansen (Blue Jays showing interest), Tommy Kahnle (Phillies), David Robertson and José Leclerc. From the Mets’ 2024 relief corps, there is Phil Maton (3.66 ERA, 60 Ks, 64 IP) and Ryne Stanek (4.88 ERA, 67 Ks, 55.1 IP).
It’s not too late to bolster the bullpen and it could lead to surprisingly good results.
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