Chicago Cubs Should Kick Tires on Mets Reliever

The Chicago Cubs should pursue a trade for a newly available New York Mets reliever.

The New York Mets are entering an offseason that many people are questioning. That's the question of whether New York is going to go all out and try to put together another championship team or wait until next offseason to go all in. 

As we saw in the 2023 season, the Mets put together one of the best rosters in baseball. Unfortunately for them, that didn't work out.

With the reports now coming out that the Mets could be moving relief pitcher Drew Smith, the Chicago Cubs need to do what they have to do to find a way to get a deal done.

According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets have been talking to teams about Smith.

"Mets have been talking to teams potentially interested in Drew Smith ahead of tonight's deadline to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players."

While none of his numbers were impressive last season, Smith does have a good fastball, which ranks in the 82nd percentile in run, according to Baseball Savant. 

He wasn't able to put it together last season for New York, which isn't much of a surprise. Players not performing in New York isn't something that should surprise anybody at this point. 

Playing in Chicago won't be much easier, but perhaps all Smith needs is a new opportunity. Striking out 28.3% of hitters in 2022 makes him a perfect buy-low option. Chicago was middle of the pack in bullpen ERA, ranking at 3.85. That should have the organization looking for reliable arms this offseason.

Given that he's going to be a one-year rental and is coming off a down season compared to what he did in 2022, perhaps the Cubs could get him for a lower-value prospect.