Free Agent Market Remains Rich in Relievers

It’s not too late to build a great bullpen. With the bullpen market starting to heat up after Tanner Scott signing with the Dodgers, it’s time to reevaluate where things stand. The Mets have made notable moves with the addition of A.J. Minter and Griffin Canning, but they can use another reliable late-inning arm out of the pen.

Plenty of quality free agent options are available just a few weeks before pitchers and catchers report (Feb 12. for the Mets).

Kirby Yates saved 33 games for the Rangers, fanned 85 in 61.2 innings, and posted a career-best 1.17 ERA and 0.82 WHIP. The 38-year-old made the All-Star team and finished eighth in Cy Young voting. Yates’ 2024 teammate, David Robertson, 39, had 99 punchouts in 72 innings and pitched to a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in his 16th season.

Kenley Jansen, 37, was 4-2 with a 3.29 ERA and 1.06 WHIP for the Red Sox with 27 saves in 31 attempts. The right-hander, the active career saves leader (447, fourth all-time), held batters to a .196/.271/.304 slash line.

Before he gave up a grand slam to Francisco Lindor in the NLDS, Carlos Estévez saved 26 games for the Angels and Phillies and pitched to a 2.45 ERA and 0.90 WHIP across 55 innings.

Kyle Finnegan was 3-8 with a 3.68 ERA and 1.33 WHIP while striking out 60 in 63.2 innings for the Nationals. The right-hander saved 38 games (second in the National League) in 43 attempts.

Ex-Met Paul Sewald, 34, had 43 strikeouts in 39.2 innings for Arizona last year with 16 saves in 20 tries. His ERA jumped to 4.31, more than a full run higher than in 2023 (3.12).

Some other right-handers still searching for work include Tommy Kahnle (2.11 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 46 Ks, 42.2 IP) and Kendall Graveman, who missed 2024 after right shoulder surgery. Graveman posted a 3.12 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 2023 with the White Sox and Astros.

If the Mets choose to add another southpaw, available lefties include Danny Coulombe (2.12 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 32 Ks, 29.2 IP, Orioles), Tim Hill (3.36 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 67 IP, Yankees), Andrew Chafin (3.51 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 70 Ks, 56.1 IP, Rangers) and Brooks Raley, who threw seven shutout innings for the Mets before getting injured. The 36-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery and is expected to be ready for the second half of 2025. In 2023, Raley had 61 strikeouts in 54.2 innings with a 2.80 ERA and 1.26 WHIP.

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