Jul 11, 2022; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: New York Mets at Atlanta Braves
(Queens, NY) – According to one of the New York Mets’ insiders, plans are already underway in a bid to improve the team’s beleaguered bullpen.
After watching the pen torch numerous games last year – and given only returning-from-injury Edwin Diaz and lefty Brooks Raley are “locks” for the roster in that regard – plenty of changes could be coming.
The New York Post’s Mike Puma reports one of those alterations could include a trade of incumbent reliever Drew Smith. After being acquired years ago from the Tampa Bay Rays in a deal for then-Mets first baseman Lucas Duda, Smith has failed to put together a dominant stretch in New York. He’s certainly put together smaller runs of success, but posted an ERA over 4 last season after being below that mark for the 2021 and 2022 campaigns. Puma said in a message posted to X, “(the) Mets have been talking to teams potentially interested in Drew Smith ahead of tonight’s deadline to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players.”
Smith’s fastball has typically performed well but his slider has failed to develop into an effective weapon to date. He also struggles with his control – an issue that was especially apparent in 2023, when he walked 4.63 batters per 9 innings – by far his career high in that regard, and almost double the number he posted in 2022.
