The current New York Mets administration has shown a reluctance to dip into the free-agent market to get relief pitchers, preferring instead to obtain them through trade and development. But this free-agent market has a pitcher who fits their needs perfectly.
We’re not talking about the most popular option, right-hander Darren O'Day. We’re referring instead to lefty Tony Sipp.
Sipp checks off every box that the Mets have on their offseason checklist when it comes to a bullpen arm.
He’s a lefty
The Mets’ current left-handed reliever depth chart is Sean Gilmartin, Dario Alvarez and career minor leaguer Josh Smoker.
Once Jerry Blevins went down with an injury (and then a re-injury), the Mets were left without a sure-thing lefty in their bullpen, and there were spots when it hurt them.
The Mets' left-handed relievers ranked 20th in the majors last season, with a .714 opponents’ OPS against and had the sixth-highest walk rate (nearly 11 percent).
He’s really good
Sipp’s career turned when he joined the Astros in 2014. He had the best year of his career last season, posting a 1.99 ERA in 54 1/3 innings. He struck out 62, walked 15, and allowed five home runs.
Sipp’s not going to blow you away with power. His fastball tops out at 93 mph. But he is a three-pitch pitcher with a changeup and slider with which he can get hitters out.
He’s comfortable versus both sides
The big appeal to Sipp is that he’s not just a lefty specialist. He’s good versus both left-handed and right-handed batters.
Vs. lefties in 2015: .227 opponents’ BA, .599 opponents’ OPS, 24 percent of swings missed
Vs. righties in 2015: .190 opponents’ BA, .613 opponents’ OPS, 38 percent of swings missed.
The success against righthanders came primarily because of his changeup. He struck out 38 of the 100 right-handed hitters who had an at-bat against him, 28 with the changeup.
Affordable?
Jim Bowden projected a two-year $10 million deal for Sipp, which feels a little on the low side, but would seem to fit within the Mets' current budget. The one issue will be that Bowden listed 10 teams as good fits, so there’s likely to be considerable competition. But unless the Mets feel that Smoker is going to be a difference-maker, it would seem to behoove them to go the extra mile to get Sipp.
