This offseason, the New York Mets must bolster their bullpen.
Fortunately, New York will have great closer Edwin Díaz back in the lineup, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Díaz will undoubtedly help improve the back end of the bullpen, but the Mets may still lose Adam Ottavino and other of their most reliable pitchers.
This means that in order to strengthen the bullpen, the Mets must add one or two pitchers. Former great Aroldis Chapman of the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, and Texas Rangers is one player that has been linked to the Mets, per ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel.
“I don’t think Josh Hader fits their profile for this winter, with relievers such as Matt Moore or Aroldis Chapman more likely options,” McDaniel said. “Both Harrison Bader and Tommy Pham make sense for the outfielder spot depending on what kind of durability and defense they’re looking to add. None of these relievers or outfielders should require more than a two-year deal.”
After playing for the Royals and Rangers in the 2023 season, Chapman is a free agent and should have a strong market. The seven-time All-Star’s advanced analytics were likely even more outstanding than his 3.09 ERA in 61 games.
It would be very beneficial for the Mets if they could sign someone like Chapman. Chapman would be the ideal guy to pair with Díaz because he has recently moved into an eighth-inning set-up position.
Although it’s too soon to know, it would be interesting if they moved.