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Examining The Remaining Relief Pitcher Market

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As analyzed earlier today at Metsmerized, the New York Mets still have some work to do addressing their bullpen. Luckily for them, despite being this far along in the offseason, there are still quality options available. Both via the free agent market and potential intriguing trade options:

Tanner Rainey, WAS

Tanner Rainey was amid a breakout when Tommy John surgery prematurely ended his season in August of 2022. He has since receded to the backs of baseball fans’ memories and has been usurped by both Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey in the back-end bullpen pecking order for the Washington Nationals.

While his walk rate is a bit above average, Rainey has strikeout stuff and throws very hard. He’s under contract for two more seasons and would make for the perfect bridge to Edwin Díaz over those years. He has untapped potential and is finally healthy, this could make for a savvy pickup that would solidify the back end and provide a more comforting alternative to Díaz when he isn’t available.

David Robertson. Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

David Robertson, FA

David Robertson had two stints with the New York Yankees, why not two with the Mets as well? He was downright elite with the Mets last season but fell on hard times after the trade to the Miami Marlins. He should still be viewed as one of the better setup options available and if he is open to such, a reunion makes a lot of sense.

This time around, Robertson would be in a slightly lower-leverage role having Díaz as the main guy. Additionally, while his ERA was unseemly with the Marlins, his peripherals were not all that bad and it would be hard to project Robertson for anything other than a solid season in 2024.

Ryan Brasier, FA

The 36-year-old former Red Sox pitcher has been randomly dominant at times. Those times include his stint in Los Angeles last season where Ryan Brasier pitched to a microscopic 0.70 ERA.While it would be foolish to expect that level of dominance from Brasier, he is better than he is recognized for and is a solid middle reliever as a worst-case scenario.

Brasier still has a high-octane fastball, has plenty of high-leverage relief experience and should be considerably cheaper than most relievers with similar résumé. He’s had a successful career as a two-pitch reliever and added a third weapon with the Dodgers last season as he started throwing a cutter as well. He is under-the-radar and should not be which makes him one of the rare free agents that could be worth more than what he will be paid.

Keegan Thompson, CHC

After a stellar 2022, Keegan Thompson had a terrible time of it in 2023.  Going into last season, Thompson was seen as a potential mid-rotation starter and now is on the outside looking in, in terms of the Cubs’ 2024 roster. Additionally, Thompson has one more option remaining so he can be a depth piece and shuttled between Triple-A and the majors all of next season.

Thompson is still fairly young and has a robust repertoire. I think it would pay off to have him settle into a full-time relief role instead of constantly messing around with his workload. He has the potential to be a Seth Lugo type of reliever, which as we know is extremely valuable, and is also controllable for a few more seasons.

Lucas Sims. Mandatory Credit: Zach Dalin-USA TODAY Sports

Lucas Sims, CIN

Now, one full-year removed from Tommy John rehabilitation, Lucas Sims was once a rising bullpen star and may be primed to reach a new level of success next season.  Sims had a fine season in 2023, but a bloated walk rate kept him from being dominant. His walk rate was significantly higher than his career numbers and it is known that some pitchers have struggled with command during their first year back from Tommy John.

In 2021, Sims had elite peripherals and is one step away from the upper crust of dominant relief pitchers. He is also a free agent following the 2024 season and could be a prime trade candidate for the Reds as their window for contention is only starting to open.

Brent Honeywell, FA

Brent Honyewell wouldn’t be the first former prospect to evolve into a dominant reliever. While he is a far cry from that and is closer to a borderline major leaguer at the moment, he most certainly still possesses the traits that once made him a top prospect.

If he can be unlocked, he could turn his career around. He has a four-pitch mix and still throws mid-90 mph range, with the right level of confidence, tutelage, and health, Honeywell could become an above-average reliever or better.

Matt Moore, FA

Under-the-radar excellence the last couple of seasons, Matt Moore has finally turned his career around and looks like a real weapon out of the bullpen. Similarly to Honeywell, Moore was once a top prospect for the Rays who fizzled out due to bad performance and many injuries. Yet now, he’s put back-to-back quality seasons together and should be in line for a decently-sized contract.

He even lowered his walk rate to a personal best of 6.9%, throws hard from the left side, and has had sparkling ERAs the last couple of seasons. What’s not to like here?

Nate Pearson. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Nate Pearson, TOR

Once a top-10 prospect in all of baseball, Nate Pearson succumbed to the injury bug early on in his career before making the full-time transition to relief in 2023. Still armed with a high-90 mph fastball, Pearson may be worth a flier. He has obvious potential and had a solid, if not, unspectacular season in 2023.

He is a high-octane back-end reliever waiting to happen and this seems like the perfect time to buy low. Toronto has a very good bullpen and Pearson may not even be able to crack it. A change of scenery in which he can forget about failing to materialize his former pedigree and focus on being a dominant reliever may be exactly what he needs.

Tampa Bay Rays Surplus

The Rays have a smorgasbord of arms and each one of these four pitchers may be available in the right deal. These four once-unheralded journeymen have all surpassed expectations with the Rays and have turned themselves into weapons out of the bullpen.

Andrew Kittredge and Shawn Armstrong are both free agents after 2024 and will not be re-signing with the Rays making them ideal trade candidates. Colin Poche and Jason Adam both had a little more team control, but are both arbitration-eligible and the Rays could look to cut ties and bring in younger, more affordable options.

Finding the right fit here is key, as some Rays relievers go on to have lots of success elsewhere while others cannot replicate that magic in their new haunts. Asking price will also be of significance as the Rays may not be overly eager to move any of them for the sake of moving them.

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