Ex-Yankees Star Fireballer Floated As Free Agent Option For Mets

It sounds like one former Yankees star could be a free agent option for the Mets

The New York Mets need to add to the bullpen this offseason.

New York luckily will get star closer Edwin Díaz back into the fold but it still has plenty of work to do. Díaz surely will help fix the back of the bullpen, but the Mets still may lose some of their most consistent hurlers including Adam Ottavino.

Because of this, the Mets need to bring in at least one or two hurlers to help bolster the bullpen. One player who has been linked to the Mets is former Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, and Texas Rangers star Aroldis Chapman, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel.

"I don't think Josh Hader fits their profile for this winter, with relievers such as Matt Moore or Aroldis Chapman more likely options," McDaniel said. "Both Harrison Bader and Tommy Pham make sense for the outfielder spot depending on what kind of durability and defense they're looking to add. None of these relievers or outfielders should require more than a two-year deal."

Chapman is a free agent after spending the 2023 campaign with the Royals and Rangers and likely will have a solid market. The seven-time All-Star logged a 3.09 ERA in 61 appearances and his advanced metrics arguably were even more impressive. 

If the Mets could land someone like Chapman, it would go a long way. Chapman has transitioned into an eighth-inning set-up role in recent years and would be the perfect player to pair with Díaz. 

It's too early to tell if a move is a real possibility, but it would be interesting.