Mets Targeting Left-Handed Relievers This Winter to Shore Up Bullpen

The New York Mets are aggressively canvassing the market for left-handed bullpen help, with president of baseball operations David Stearns prioritizing southpaw relief options this winter. According to industry reports from The Athletic, the New York Post, and SNY, the club has already engaged with several candidates as they look to address a notable void on the 40-man roster.

Among the primary targets are prominent arms like Alex Vesia and Tim Hill. Vesia has drawn interest from roughly half the league after a stellar run with the Dodgers, boasting a combined 2.66 ERA over 328 innings. Meanwhile, Hill spent the last two and a half seasons with the cross-town Yankees, anchoring his profile on an elite 68.8% ground-ball rate despite a 4.60 ERA this past year.

The Mets have also checked in on other familiar and external names, including A.J. Minter, Darwinzon Hernández, and a potential reunion with Brooks Raley. With no established left-hander currently locked into a secure relief role on the 40-man roster, addressing this depth is vital for the team's pitching infrastructure.

What to watch next: Monitor whether the Mets manage to secure a competitive bidding war for Vesia or pivot toward veteran ground-ball specialists.