Are the Mets willing to accept what Robert Stephenson accomplished with the Rays?
One of the more intriguing relievers available as a free agent is Robert Stephenson. Not sure who they are? You are not that alone. A lifetime ERA of 4.64 isn’t really cause for celebration. You’re therefore justified to initially be dubious when we see him mentioned in the most recent New York Mets rumors.
Like many, Stephenson’s career had a rough beginning. He was a starting pitcher who moved into relief with an inflated ERA. His journey began in 2019 and has included stops with the Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and most recently, the Tampa Bay Rays. He finally settled down after a few years of bouncing between the majors and minors.
Stephenson’s greatest work was accessed by the brilliant Rays, who have the ability to make any pitcher become a master on the mound. Stephenson went from having a 5.14 ERA on the season to a career-best 2.35 in 42 games for them after being traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates, along with some other incredible numbers.
Is Robert Stephenson a Rays product, or did he figure it out?
Stephenson had strong walk and strikeout rates for the majority of his career. How well batters hit him was his issue during the harder seasons. With exit velocities in the upper 80s and low 90s (above league average) and hard-hit percentages far above where you’d want to see them, he has been hit hard plenty during his career. His development after switching teams is well demonstrated by last year. With the Rays, a hard-hit percentage that was 44.4% with the Pirates dropped to 26.4%.
We can infer a lot from those sophisticated analytics as to why his name would surface in the most recent Mets rumors. The Rays have a fascinating free agent option in him, but it remains to be seen if he has improved or if he is simply an example of the team’s skill at turning mediocre or below pitchers into absolute gems.
Stephenson’s strikeout percentage increased to 42.9%, which was a career-high. He was among the best relievers one could hope to find, all things considered. His 14.1 strikeouts per 9 and 0.67 WHIP serve as evidence of his remarkable effectiveness while playing for Tampa Bay.
If you’re Stephenson and his agent, now is the time to take advantage and get more than a one-year deal. The Mets have stayed away from any commitments longer than a year aside from Sean Manaea who has an option for 2025.
Stephenson could be a valuable outlier. He’s not a great reliever, but he has had success in the past. Among them is a 3.13 ERA he recorded in 46 innings while playing for the Colorado Rockies in 2021.
The Mets are in need of a bullpen arm or two, and it will be in their best interests to sign a player for a longer term of service. The bullpen doesn’t have to be left empty entirely. It will be necessary to carry over a few arms from 2024 to 2025.