The New York Mets are trying desperately to make a playoff push. But the bullpen simply isn't cooperating.
Going for a series win against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Mets dropped a brutal 8-5 decision Wednesday night when Edwin Díaz, the highest-paid closer in the sport, allowed a go-ahead grand slam to Corbin Carroll. That dropped New York four games out of playoff position.
Díaz's struggles this season are just the tip of the iceberg, as the Mets have consistently had one of the worst bullpens among all teams with any hopes of playoff contention. But in a fortunate stroke of luck, they may have an opportunity to add to that bullpen late in the year.
On Wednesday night, the San Francisco Giants, seemingly reading the writing on the wall that the playoffs aren't in the cards for them this season, placed three players on waivers, including left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers, who has a 2.45 ERA this season.
It seems natural, given both sides of the situation, that Rogers might be a fit in Queens. And that's exactly how one insider sees the situation. ESPN reporter Buster Olney said on X that the Mets should be viewed as favorites in the Rogers sweepstakes, alongside the Boston Red Sox.
"The Mets could use the help and block other contenders -- and would have a player for their bullpen in '25," Olney said. "Rogers is owed $12m for next season."
Rogers, 33, was a 2021 American League All-Star as the Minnesota Twins' closer. Now a setup man in San Francisco, he's got 10.3 K/9 and a 160 ERA+ this season, which make him one of the best pure lefty specialists in the sport right now.
With a 69-64 record, the Mets are technically 17th on waiver orders, but most of the teams ahead of them have no shot at playoff contention. They have the same record as the aforementioned Red Sox but would get waiver priority as of Thursday based on 2023 records.
The holdup for most teams would be the $12 million 2025 salary, but is that an issue for the Mets nowadays? This is, after all, the same team that was comfortable going $100 million over the luxury tax threshold and ate huge portions of the two highest starting pitcher salaries in baseball when trading them away.
If the Mets want Rogers to pitch for them in a potential playoff appearance, they will need to act quickly. He would have to be on a roster by the end of Saturday to be eligible for postseason play.
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