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New York Mets rumors: Still searching for bullpen help

By Kevin Henry

September 8, 2020; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tony Watson (56) delivers a pitch against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 8, 2020; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tony Watson (56) delivers a pitch against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Mets are still reportedly looking for ways to improve their bullpen. Could the answer be a left-hander who is currently available as a free agent?

According to a tweet from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, the New York Mets are “among many teams” that have checked in on the availability of veteran southpaw reliever Tony Watson. The 36-year-old Watson completed his 11th Major League season last year with the San Francisco Giants, posting a 2.96 ERA/2.64 FIP/0.781 WHIP in 24.1 innings with the Giants after being acquired at the trade deadline from the Los Angeles Angels.

Watson elected free agency at the end of the 2021 campaign and has yet to sign with another team. Heyman says in his tweet that “assuming he decides to pitch” in 2022, Watson could certainly help a number of teams looking for a quality left-hander in the bullpen, including the Mets.

How Tony Watson could help the New York Mets bullpen

New York currently features Chasen Shreve (signed to a minor league deal after spending the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with the Mets and last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates) and Alex Claudio (signed to a minor league deal this offseason after 352 career MLB games with three different teams) as left-handed options out of the bullpen. Watson would certainly be an upgrade from those two pitchers.

Watson carries a career 2.90 ERA/3.59 FIP/1.083 WHIP and has also thrown 12 postseason innings as well, holding a cumulative 2.25 ERA. In five World Series outings with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017, he allowed two hits and no earned runs in 3.2 innings of work.

That postseason experience and ability to be a shutdown southpaw option out of the bullpen could be a big plus for a Mets team that has rebuilt its roster this offseason in the hopes of earning its first postseason berth since a Wild Card game loss to the Giants in 2016.

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There are plenty of “ifs” with the scenario, including Watson’s availability and several teams wanting his services. However, he would provide an upgrade for a Mets bullpen that could certainly use another left-handed option.

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