Tommy Hunter is the type of pitcher that should have intrigued any team looking for bullpen help. Despite an injury plagued 2021 when he only made four appearances for the New York Mets, he has established himself as an excellent middle relief arm, someone who can generate ground balls and fill a role for any team.
That is, of course, provided that he is healthy. Hunter missed a chunk of 2021 with back issues, eventually undergoing surgery. After he was unable to find a taker during the offseason, he held a showcase attended by a dozen teams. After his velocity was in the mid 90s, it seemed to be a matter of time before he found an offer.
New York Mets bringing Tommy Hunter back
That contract came on Tuesday. The Mets have brought Hunter back on a minor league deal, where he will report to their minor league complex later this week. For now, the hope is that he will be ready for major league action come June.
The Mets could certainly use Hunter if he is back to form. Chasen Shreve and Joely Rodriguez are the only lefties in their bullpen at this point. Rodriguez has not exactly been the most consistent of arms over his career, making Hunter a solid depth option if nothing else.
It is entirely possible that he can play a key role in the Mets bullpen down the stretch. Since he became a full time reliever in 2013, Hunter has posted a 3.18 ERA and a 1.105 WHiP in his 402 innings, striking out 334 batters with 86 walks while allowing just 36 homers.
Hunter is not the pitcher he once was. His fastball is not going to sit in the upper 90s any longer. However, he still has his excellent command and the ability to get the opposition to hit the ball into the ground. Although he will turn 36 in July, Hunter can still be an asset in the bullpen.
The New York Mets have brought Tommy Hunter back on a minor league deal. He could turn out to be an impressive bargain for the bullpen.