Late in spring training, as teams sort out their roster decisions, players become available either by being released or exercising options they may have run their contracts. With just a couple of days remaining in spring training 2021, here are some players who have recently become available and may fit with the Mets.
Relief Pitcher, Steve Cishek
Cishek, a right-hander, was released by the Houston Astros on March 25. The 34-year-old began his career with the Florida (now Miami) Marlins. He has closing experience, registering 34 saves in 2013 and 39 saves in 2014 with the Marlins. Since 2014, Cishek has served mostly in setup roles with the Cardinals, Mariners, Cubs and White Sox. Cishek is a fastball/slider pitcher, who has seen his average fastball velocity drop from 93 mph early in his career to just under 91 mph since 2015.
Last season with the White Sox, Cishek posted his career-worst H/9 with a mark of 9.5 in 22 appearances (his career number 7.0 over 11 seasons). He does manage to strike out hitters, having struck out 9.5 per nine innings pitched last year, which is also his career K/9 rate.
The Mets, as many teams, can benefit from adding bullpen depth to the organization. While they do have a right-handed heavy bullpen, they have lost a significant piece in Seth Lugo, who will miss at least the first month of the season. Additionally, Dellin Betances has struggled this spring, and while his release seems unlikely at this point, it’s fair to wonder how long the Mets will carry him if he does not perform. Robert Gsellman has also been ineffective this spring, so adding Cishek may make sense as a depth option.
Relief Pitcher, Tony Watson
The veteran left-hander opted out of his contract with the Phillies on March 26. He was not having a good spring, as the 35-year-old surrendered four earned runs in five innings and allowed nine hits total. He did record seven strikeouts while allowing two walks, however.
Watson will turn 36-years-old this season, and is a 10-year major league veteran with the Pirates, Dodgers and Giants. He features a fastball, slider, and changeup, throwing his fastball and changeup the majority of the time. Last year, his fastball velocity dropped from 93 mph for most of his career to 90 mph. In 21 appearances with the Giants last season, Watson had an impressive 0.889 WHIP, and allowed just 13 hits in a small sample size of 18 innings pitched. Watson is not a strikeout pitcher, with a career mark of eight strikeouts per nine innings pitched.
Luis Rojas has said that he would like to have two left-handers in his bullpen. Aaron Loup is a lock to make the team. Other candidates include Jerry Blevins, Stephen Tarpley, and Mike Montgomery (who may be a candidate for the rotation as well), as noted in this MMO article by Connor Grey.
It would not hurt to bring another candidate into the mix, especially an experienced one in Watson. Though his velocity is down, Watson seems to be effective even in recent seasons (his highest WHIP in there last three seasons is 1.259). Why not expand the field from which Rojas will choose his second lefty?
Third Baseman, Todd Frazier
Should the Mets bring “The Toddfather” to Queens for a third time? The New Jersey native opted to not stay with the Pirates, the team that signed him during the off season and brought him to camp.
Jonathan Villar is nursing what the Mets are calling a minor hamstring injury. It’s not clear if he will be ready for opening night in Washington, and groin injuries tend to linger. Frazier may provide short-term depth. Frazier had a decent spring training slashing .250/.353/.643 with three home runs in 28 at-bats.
The Mets could seek a defensive replacement for J.D. Davis late in games, and Frazier is a better fielder and has a reputation for being a clubhouse leader. However, it’s not likely that he would accept a deal where his release may be likely in the short term.
Relief Pitcher Carl Edwards Jr.
Edwards was in camp with the Braves, and opted out of his contract, becoming a free agent on March 25. The 29-year-old right-hander was with the Cubs from 2015 until he was dealt to the Padres at the trading deadline of the 2019 season.
The South Carolina native has been almost exclusively a setup reliever, logging just three saves in six seasons. Over his career, he’s allowed just 4.8 hits per nine innings, while averaging 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings. Edwards’ average fastball velocity during is career has been 95.2 mph, and his velocity has been a bit below that the last two seasons. He features just two pitches, a fastball he throws 72.5% of the time, and a changeup.
Edwards may be a reasonable option for the Mets to consider. He’s still young, and has the capability to miss bats per his strikeout rate. He could make a nice middle-inning option against a right-handed hitter.
It will be interesting to see if the Mets have interest in any players that have recently become available. The roster is close to set, but as the cliche goes, it takes the entire 40-man roster to win. Having quality depth on that roster is always a good idea.
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March 28, 2021 at 08:07PM
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Recently Available Players Who Could Bolster Mets' Depth - metsmerizedonline.com
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