With plenty of power right-handed arms, the Mets could use a dominant lefty to even things out.
In addition to a righty-hitting outfielder to come off the bench, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com suggested last night that the Mets could also be interested in adding a left-handed reliever to round out their bullpen.
Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com reported that the lefty relief market will pick up with Zach Duke off the board, with names like Andrew Miller, Joe Thatcher, Craig Breslow, Neal Cotts, and Phil Coke expected to draw interest. Rubin believes that Mets GM Sandy Alderson will not offer more than a one-year contract for a reliever, ruling them out on Andrew Miller.
Here's the low down on the rest:
- Joe Thatcher, 33, pitched for both the Diamondbacks and Angels last season and finished the year with 8.01 K/9 and a 3.43 FIP.
- Craig Breslow, 34, is coming off of a terrible season with the Red Sox. However, he was good in 2013, finishing with a 1.81 ERA and a 3.60 FIP.
- Neal Cotts, 35, like Breslow, also had a better 2013 than 2014. Last year for the Rangers Cotts had a 3.58 FIP. However, his 2013 numbers were remarkable: a 10.26 K/9, a 1.11 ERA, and a 2.17 FIP.
- Phil Coke, 32, has been a huge part of the Tigers' bullpen for the past several years. He had a 3.98 FIP in 2014.
If none of those players fall to the Mets, they could always bring back Dana Eveland as a lefty specialist.