As the Mets continue building their roster ahead of the 2025 season, it’s a possibility that they’ll sign one of the top free agent relievers remaining on the market, SNY’s Andy Martino reported on Monday.
“I’m not saying they’re gonna go wild on the reliever market, but I think because the top relievers cost so much less in terms of years and dollars — and I think to [David] Stearns years is the more important piece of that than the dollars — there’s a chance that the Mets will shop at the higher end of that, whether it’s Tanner Scott or even a name guy like Kirby Yates,” Martino said on Baseball Night in New York. “They could bring in a name-brand reliever more likely than they were to bring in a name-brand starter, probably.”
To that end, The Athletic’s Will Sammon reported on Tuesday that New York has met with Scott.
The left-handed Scott, who will be entering his age-30 season in 2025, is the best free agent reliever available — the same designation he had when free agency started over two months ago.
He had a 1.75 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 84 strikeouts in 72.0 innings last season for the Marlins and Padres.
In 2023 for Miami, Scott had a 2.31 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 104 strikeouts in 78.0 innings.
If the Mets sign Scott, he would form a potential lockdown combination at the end of games with Edwin Diaz.
In addition to Scott and Yates — who had a 1.17 ERA and 0.82 WHIP while striking out 12.4 per nine last season for the Rangers — a handful of other high-end free agent relievers are still available.
That incudes Carlos Estevez and Jeff Hoffman.
In the case of Hoffman, though, some reports have indicated that he could be signed and converted to a starter.
The Mets’ bullpen is still very much in need of reinforcements.
Dedniel Núñez (if back healthy as expected) should be a key setup arm, and Reed Garrett will be a factor. Meanwhile, Jose Butto could be an important cog if the Mets keep him in a relief role instead of shifting him back to the rotation.
But beyond Diaz and the aforementioned three relievers, the ‘pen is still very much in flux.
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