New York Mets Free Agent Reliever Linked to Chicago Cubs

A reliever who was with the New York Mets last season is being targeted by the Chicago Cubs in free agency.

The New York Mets continue to go through the offseason looking for players they can add on short-term contracts that won't tie themselves up financially.

This strategy by new president of baseball operations David Stearns should allow them to be major players during the next offseason where they can aggressively overhaul their roster if they decide to go that route.

A player who would have fit in nicely with this roster construction was reliever Adam Ottavino.

However, after two good years with the Mets, he decided to decline his $6.75 player option for the 2024 season and hit free agency.

The veteran bullpen piece was a good pickup for New York when he signed with them in 2022. He had a career resurgence after tough seasons with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in back-to-back years.

Ottavino posted an ERA of 2.62 and ERA+ of 155 during his 132 appearances with the Mets.

This stretch seems to have created a market for the 37-year-old this offseason as Bruce Levine of 670 the Score says the Chicago Cubs have some interest in signing him.

"Levine listed three righty relievers to 'keep an eye on' for the Cubs: Robert Stephenson (whom we’ve heard about before and who would be an awesome, expensive signing), Ryne Stanek, and Adam Ottavino," Brett Taylor of Bleacher Nation wrote about his conversation with the insider.

The move would make sense for the Cubs.

They desperately need bullpen arms heading into 2024 after their thinning and inexperienced relief staff cost them a playoff spot last season.

It should be noted Ottavino made $8.75 million with New York after meeting some of the incentives in his contract. After turning down his player option to hit the open market, it's likely he's looking for something in that neighborhood.