The New York Mets are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to bolster their bullpen for the upcoming MLB season. While they’ve already expressed interest in numerous top arms, another name has joined their radar – Ryne Stanek, the former Houston Astros reliever.
MLB insider Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that the Mets have reached out to Stanek, a 32-year-old right-hander who showcased his talent as a key piece of the Astros’ bullpen from 2021 to 2023. During this period, he maintained an impressive 2.90 ERA over 186 appearances.
While Stanek faced a slight dip in performance in 2023 with a 4.09 ERA across 55 outings, he had a standout year in 2022, emerging as one of the league’s top relievers with a remarkable 1.15 ERA in 59 appearances. His contributions played a crucial role in the Astros’ triumphant World Series campaign in 2022.
Adding Stanek to their bullpen could provide the Mets with much-needed support behind their elite closer, Edwin Diaz, who is working his way back from injury.
In addition to Stanek, the Mets have also expressed interest in other pitching options, including left-hander Wandy Peralta, hard-throwing right-hander Hector Neris, and the possibility of reuniting with Adam Ottavino.
As reported by SNY insider Andy Martino, the Mets are looking to allocate approximately $10 million to address their offseason needs. While offensive improvements are on their agenda, it’s clear that shoring up their bullpen to support Diaz is a top priority for the Mets as they prepare for the upcoming season.