3 NY Mets strikers swap targets to replace injured Drew Smith on the roster

New York Mets relief pitcher Drew Smith is likely out for the rest of the year as his tenure in Queens is nearing an end following Tommy John surgery. Smith is a free agent after the 2024 season. He was disappointed at the possibility of leaving the Mets entirely.

Smith’s time with the Mets was marked by good times and bad, as well as a second Tommy John surgery. The Mets will continue to move forward without him, so signing a right-handed reliever is a must for the team before the trade deadline.

Right-handed relievers are available in abundance at any trade deadline. How do we narrow down the selection? Mets pitchers out of the bullpen and in the rotation have been insanely wild. Both groups have given up bases on balls at an unholy rate. Some strikeout pitchers with good control should be among the best replacement options they consider this season.

Los Angeles Angels closer Carlos Estevez is under contract for the second year in a row. His contract is up and he will receive a modest salary of $6.75 million for this year. He is guaranteed to be traded somewhere. If the Mets can outbid the competition, they will get one of the better relief pitchers on the trade list.

Estevez has a record of 1-3 and a 3.12 ERA in 26 innings pitched. He has 16 saves, 27 strikeouts and just 3 walks. We’ve seen countless Mets pitchers allow 3 walks in a single inning. Estevez has allowed that many all season.

The last line of defense on the Angels mound was recently on one of the best winning streaks imaginable, striking out 26 batters in a row.

With Smith gone and Adam Ottavino becoming increasingly unreliable, Estevez seems to be one of the better setup men we can imagine the Mets adding. He’s also probably one of the more expensive options, but he still shouldn’t blow up the farm system.