The New York Mets have addressed starting pitching this winter, but they still are looking for upgrades out of the bullpen. Outside of Edwin Diaz, the Mets don’t have another top high-leverage arm they can consistently rely on.
The Mets reportedly met with Tanner Scott
According to The Athletic’s Will Sammon, the Mets met with free agent left-handed reliever Tanner Scott. The lefty is coming off a career season in which he recorded a career-high 22 saves and pitched to a 1.75 ERA with the Marlins and Padres last season.
Scott is undoubtedly the top reliever still on the market. He was an All-Star last season while he was still with the Marlins, and continued his dominance after he was traded to the Padres at the trade deadline.
Scott would be a perfect fit for the Mets’ bullpen, as they need a high-leverage lefty that can be reliable in late-game situations. He can serve as a strong setup man for Edwin Diaz, and even close games when Diaz needs a rest. As the saying goes, you can never have too much pitching.
Scott also excels at limiting damage, as he allowed just three home runs in 72 innings pitched last season. He also struck out 84 batters, though he did struggle with an elevated walk rate of 12.2%. Nevertheless, he is still a great arm that can be used to play certain matchups deep in the Mets’ bullpen.
Scott could have a high asking price
The 30-year-old wants a long-term deal, with ESPN’s Jeff Passan hinting that he could want a contract for “four years for $15 million or more in free agency.” Giving out long-term contracts to relievers is an outdated strategy, as bullpen arms are becoming increasingly volatile with the arsenals of younger pitchers.
However, Scott has consistently been a top reliever for the past two seasons, and with the lack of depth in New York’s bullpen, he could be a worthy investment. Ultimately, time will tell if the Mets pull the trigger and lock in a high-leverage arm for the long term.