Over the past several weeks, the New York Mets have bolstered their roster in preparation for a playoff run, but by the 6 p.m. trade deadline, a significant gap remained.
The Mets acquired several bullpen arms through trades, addressing needs from high-leverage relievers like Ryne Stanek to depth pieces like Tyler Zuber. However, all of these additions were right-handed pitchers.
At the start of the season, the Mets believed they had strong left-handed reliever options in Brooks Raley and newly signed Jake Diekman. Unfortunately, Raley had to undergo season-ending elbow surgery, ending not only his season but also his tenure with the Mets. Diekman struggled throughout most of the season and was eventually designated for assignment.
Currently, the left-handed reliever role is filled by Danny Young and Alex Young, but if either falters, there’s no clear replacement. Given this situation, could the Mets consider reuniting with a former left-handed reliever to address this gap?
Could the Mets sign Chasen Shreve?
After struggling to secure consistent playing time in the major leagues in 2023, Chasen Shreve signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers this past offseason. Despite his strong performance for Triple-A Round Rock, the 33-year-old was released, leading to the Yankees signing him to another minor-league deal.
Once again, Shreve pitched well, but the Yankees determined there was no spot for the Nevada native in their major league bullpen, so they released him on Thursday. Over his time with both affiliates, the left-hander made 30 appearances, pitching 33.1 innings with a 1.89 ERA, a 0.780 WHIP, 35 strikeouts, and one save.
Why signing Shreve would make sense
The Mets should consider taking a look at Shreve. Since they didn’t trade for a lefty reliever, they could use another option to bolster their bullpen, especially since they’ve lacked consistency in that role since Raley’s injury.
Moreover, Shreve has been performing exceptionally well in the minors this season and may have made a key adjustment that could make him a successful major league reliever, though he hasn’t had the opportunity to prove it yet.
Whether the Mets and Shreve come to an agreement remains to be seen, but the Nevada native is definitely someone the organization should keep in mind over the next few days.
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