Instead of relief, all the Mets get is agita.
But the team’s search for answers is limited in scope based on a reluctance to sign Craig Kimbrel and the scarcity of potential trade options this early, coupled with the organization’s dearth of high-end prospects, according to sources.
Kimbrel would be the most intriguing option for a bullpen that owns a 5.00 ERA, which ranked 24th in the major leagues on Monday. But while team officials have kept in contact with the All-Star closer’s representatives, there are factors dissuading the Mets.
There is the financial — always a significant factor — as Kimbrel would likely command at minimum the qualifying offer of $17.9 million prorated for this season. That works out to roughly $11 million for a pitcher who might need all of June to build up, by which point the Mets could already be eliminated from the playoff race. As players who received qualifying offers last season, Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel on Monday became free to sign without a compensatory draft pick attached to them.
If the Mets were to sign Kimbrel to a one-year deal, that would likely entail moving Edwin Diaz to a setup role given that Kimbrel will be searching for a closer’s job and salary in the offseason. And there is skepticism within the organization that Diaz would be removed from the closer’s role to accommodate even a reliever of Kimbrel’s pedigree.
Diaz has a 3.04 ERA with two blown saves in 15 chances this season. The magnitude of his meltdown last week in Los Angeles, where he surrendered four runs in the ninth inning in a walk-off loss to the Dodgers, still lingers as the Mets prepare to begin a homestand against the Giants and Rockies.The bullpen’s biggest disappointment has been Jeurys Familia, who has bombed in the setup role after returning to the organization on a three-year deal worth $30 million last offseason. Familia has posted a 6.56 ERA, creating much eighth-inning angst for the team.
At this point, general manager Brodie Van Wagenen can look to a trade market that hasn’t developed.
“There is not much you can do because there is not that kind of people out there now,” a major league talent evaluator said. “And if there was a significant piece available, who are your bullets? Who are you going to trade?”
Presumably off the table would be left-hander Anthony Kay, who is thriving at Double-A Binghamton and could land in the Mets rotation before this season concludes. Already, Van Wagenen has sacrificed prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn in the deal with the Mariners that brought Diaz and Robinson Cano to the Mets last winter.
Dominic Smith, who has been displaced to the outfield in an unnatural fit of sorts, would be a logical trade chip, given that he will remain under club control through at least 2024. The Mets would be selling low on a player such as Brandon Nimmo, and a team removed from contention that would be dealing a quality reliever likely wouldn’t have a need for Todd Frazier or Juan Lagares.
So the Mets for now could be left to hope Justin Wilson’s imminent return from the IL to join Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman will be enough, along with trying to get Familia and Diaz right.
“Familia, I like his stuff, you just can’t get in his head, and he certainly isn’t finishing people like he should,” a scout said. “I think Diaz is all usage related and could work itself out.”