The New York Mets know they will need to bolster to the bullpen if they want to win the National League East title this season.
It’s a position every contender pushes for at the trade deadline, and the Mets won’t be an exception to this rule. That’s why they should look into Shelby Miller of the Arizona Diamondbacks. MLB insider Bob Nightengale is reporting Miller could be dealt if Arizona falls out of contention.
“The Arizona Diamondbacks’ playoffs hopes continue to take body blows with co-closers A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez undergoing season-ending elbow surgeries, joining ace Corbin Burnes and starters Jordan Montgomery and Tommy Henry,” wrote Nightengale. “If they’re out of the race at the trade deadline, they’ll be swarmed with calls seeking starters Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, along with third baseman Eugenio Suarez, first baseman Josh Naylor and closer Shelby Miller.”
Miller has appeared in 32 games so far this season and has recorded eight saves with a 2.03 ERA. He’s blown just one save this year while also recording eight holds for the Diamondbacks.
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon confirmed on Friday that the Mets will be targeting relievers next month.
“The Mets are monitoring the market for help in center field and the bullpen, league sources said,” wrote Rosenthal and Sammon. “Speculatively, other possible and more expensive targets such as a frontline starter may emerge.”
Miller makes a lot of sense for a team like the Mets. Steve Cohen and David Stearns are already well above the luxury tax this season as money is never an issue for them. The 34-year-old reliever is making just $1 million this season in Arizona, so New York would only be responsible for the remainder of that price.
The Mets would be getting a high-leverage reliever for less than $1 million and boost the back end of their bullpen with Edwin Diaz. It’s a deal that almost makes too much sense for New York with the division race likely going down to the final week of the season.
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