UPDATE TRADE: Mets held a meeting recently with the top free agent Tanner Scott

The Mets’ search for bullpen help has the team at least exploring the high end of the market.

Tanner Scott, who is considered the top reliever on the free-agent market, recently spoke with team officials, a league source confirmed Tuesday.

Scott, 30, pitched to a 1.75 ERA with 22 saves in 72 appearances for the Marlins and Padres last season.

The left-hander would fill two needs for the Mets, who are without a proven lefty and could use another high-leverage arm to join Edwin Diaz.

Tanner Scott #66 of the San Diego Padres pitches in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game Three of the Division Series at Petco Park on October 08, 2024 in San Diego, California.

The Mets’ returning relievers include Diaz, Reed Garrett, Jose Butto (who is also a starting rotation possibility) Sean Reid-Foley, Dedniel Nunez and Huascar Brazoban.

Both Reid-Foley and Nunez had injuries that removed them from the equation in the second half of last season.

Lefty Danny Young was effective for a stretch last season, but struggled later in the year.

The Mets have also added several relievers on minor league deals.

The Athletic first reported the Mets’ meeting with Scott.

Tanner Scott #66 of the San Diego Padres pitches in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game Three of the Division Series at Petco Park on October 08, 2024 in San Diego, California.

The Mets have concentrated mostly on the starting lineup and rotation to this point, but the market remains filled with proven relievers.

Scott would likely require a multi-year contract, which is the kind of commitment president of baseball operations David Stearns avoided last winter in assembling a bullpen.

Stearns last offseason signed Jake Diekman, Jorge Lopez and Adam Ottavino as free-agent relievers.

From that group, only Ottavino lasted the full season with the club, and he spent much of it in a low-leverage role.

But Stearns reinvented the bullpen as the season progressed by trading for Phil Maton and Ryne Stanek, in particular.

Both veteran right-handers, who are free agents, helped cement the Mets’ bullpen during the team’s postseason run that ended with a loss to the Dodgers in Game 6 of the NLCS.

Manager Mike Shildt of the San Diego Padres relieving pitcher Tanner Scott during Game Three of the Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park, San Diego, California.

Besides Scott, the higher end of the relief market includes names such as Jeff Hoffman, David Robertson, Kenley Jansen, Kirby Yates and Carlos Estevez.

Proven lefties include Andrew Chafin and A.J. Minter.

Scott, last season, was MLB’s best at limiting exit velocity (84.3 mph on average), according to Statcast.

He averaged 97 mph with his four-seam fastball and supplemented it with a slider that produced a swing and miss 38.8 percent of the time.

Stearns has taken a conservative approach with the rotation, re-signing Sean Manaea and adding free agents Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes.

Scott, if signed, would become the team’s biggest pitching splash of this offseason.

Related Posts

🚨 BREAKING BOSTON DESPERATELY NEEDS A SPARK — After a frustrating start filled with offensive struggles, the Red Sox are now counting on one infielder to finally break out at the plate before the season begins slipping away, with pressure building fast inside Fenway Park 👀🔥👇👇👇

PRESSURE BUILDING IN BOSTON: RED SOX DESPERATELY NEED CALEB DURBIN TO WAKE UP OFFENSIVELY BEFORE SEASON SLIPS FURTHER AWAY The growing frustration surrounding the Boston Red Sox…

🚨 BREAKING PANIC IS GROWING IN THE BRONX — Yankees ace Max Fried has reportedly made a worrying admission about his injury situation, instantly sending concern through New York as fans fear the team’s championship hopes could already be facing a serious threat before the season reaches its most important stretch 👀💔👇👇👇

Getty Max Fried and Aaron Boone confer in the dugout as the Yankees navigate Fried’s uncertain injury recovery timeline following his IL placement with a left elbow…

🚨 BREAKING MATTHEW BOYD UPDATE JUST CHANGED THE MOOD IN CHICAGO — The latest injury news surrounding Matthew Boyd is already grabbing the attention of Cubs fans everywhere, with growing belief that the veteran left-hander’s situation could have a major impact on Chicago’s pitching plans moving forward 👀🔥👇👇👇

The Chicago Cubs have been without Matthew Boyd in the starting rotation since he was placed on the 15-day IL on May 6. After being given a…

🚨 BREAKING ANOTHER MAJOR BLOW HITS BOSTON — Red Sox fans are anxiously searching for answers after Trevor Story’s sudden injury situation reportedly forced the veteran infielder toward the injured list, creating fresh concern about the stability of Boston’s infield at a critical point in the season 👀💔👇👇👇

RED SOX DISASTER GROWS: TREVOR STORY HEADED TO INJURED LIST AS BOSTON’S NIGHTMARE SEASON CONTINUES TO SPIRAL The nightmare season for the Boston Red Sox just took…

🚨 BREAKING PAUL O’NEILL JUST TOUCHED THE HEART OF NEW YORK — Yankees legend Paul O’Neill has reportedly donated $300,000 to a cancer relief fund in an emotional gesture that is bringing the Bronx to tears, with fans everywhere deeply moved after his powerful words: “I understand what that pain feels like…” 👀💔👇👇👇

In a moment that silenced the baseball world, Paul O’Neill — a legend associated with the golden age of the New York Yankees — announced a $300,000…

Gіаntѕ Predіcted To End Fаіled Rаfаel Deverѕ Exрerіment

іMаGe: аtlаntа Brаveѕ cаtcher ѕeаn Murрhy (12) lookѕ аt the ѕаn Frаncіѕco Gіаntѕ dugout аfter beіng hіt by а ріtch іn the fіrѕt іnnіng аt Truіѕt раrk….