The New York Mets made a notable move this week, trading Jeff McNeil and freeing up an additional $10 million in payroll. For most teams, that’s a solid chunk of flexibility.
For Steve Cohen, it’s what he jokingly refers to as “lunch money.” But make no mistake - even lunch money can go a long way when you're trying to retool a roster on the fly.
The Mets now face a familiar offseason question: how do you spend newfound cash in a way that actually moves the needle? With several roster needs still lingering, one option on the table is to reinvest that $10 million directly into the bullpen - and there’s one name that jumps out.
Pete Fairbanks: A High-Upside Bullpen Swing
Let’s start with Pete Fairbanks. He might not be the biggest name on the market, but he’s certainly one of the most intriguing.
After being non-tendered by the Rays, Fairbanks hit free agency with closer experience, electric stuff, and a bit of a medical file. That last part is key - injuries have followed him throughout his career, which likely explains the lukewarm market.
Still, when healthy, Fairbanks has the kind of swing-and-miss arsenal that can change the tone of a bullpen.
The Mets, already making moves in the relief department with Luke Weaver, A.J. Minter, and Devin Williams, could double down here.
Fairbanks would add another late-inning weapon to a group that’s starting to look more and more like a strength. The price tag?
Likely north of $11 million, which means the $10 million saved in the McNeil deal wouldn’t quite cover it. But it gets them close enough to make a serious run.
From a baseball standpoint, the fit makes sense. Fairbanks brings velocity, strikeout potential, and ninth-inning experience - all things the Mets could use more of.
But there’s also the question of risk. His injury history is real, and with the Mets already committing over $10 million combined to Weaver, Williams, and Minter, there’s a valid argument for diversifying their spending.
It’s a classic roster-building dilemma: Do you go all-in on one high-upside piece, or spread the wealth to patch multiple holes?
A Bullpen Built to Shorten Games
If the Mets do decide to pursue Fairbanks, it would signal a clear strategy - dominate the late innings. With Williams already locked in as the likely closer and Minter and Weaver providing depth and versatility, Fairbanks would give the Mets a four-headed monster in the bullpen. That kind of setup can dramatically shorten games, especially in the postseason, where bullpens often separate contenders from pretenders.
But again, it’s all about balance. The Mets have other needs - rotation depth, bench bats, maybe even another outfielder. So while the appeal of a super bullpen is real, so is the need to be strategic with every dollar.
The $10 million from the McNeil trade might not seem like much in the grand scheme of things, but it opens the door to several possibilities. Whether the Mets use it to go after Fairbanks or pivot to other areas remains to be seen. What’s clear is that they’ve created some financial breathing room - and in an offseason where every move matters, that could be just enough to make a difference.