Brodie Van Wagenen has prioritized relief help this offseason along with adding a true center fielder and potentially a starting pitcher to replace Zack Wheeler. Now, roughly one month into the offseason, two of the best relievers are off the board.
Left-handed reliever Drew Pomeranz has agreed to sign with the Padres, per multiple reports, with Robert Murray reporting the deal will be for four years.
One scout predicted earlier this month to SNY contributor John Harper that Pomeranz could get a three-year deal worth $8-9 million a year.
Before Pomeranz landed with the Padres, Will Smith signed a three-year deal with the Braves worth $40 million.
Pomeranz, a soon-to-be 31-year-old left-hander, was among the most enticing relievers on the market. After struggling as a starter with the Giants in 2019, he was traded to the Brewers, used almost primarily in relief, and dominated.
In 25 games (24 relief appearances, one start) for Milwaukee, Pomeranz had a 2.39 ERA (2.68 FIP) and 0.91 WHIP with 45 strikeouts -- an eye-popping 15.4 per 9.
With Pomeranz and Smith no longer options, Dellin Betances -- who the Mets have already been linked to -- and Will Harris are among the best relievers left on the market.
The Mets likely already have five relievers locked in for next season: Seth Lugo, Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia, Justin Wilson, and Robert Gsellman. However, two of them (Lugo and Gsellman) are candidates to start and two others (Diaz and Familia) are coming off disastrous seasons.
The Mets need some more certainty in the pen, and two of the better options are now gone.