Just when it looked like the New York Mets were done making noise this offseason-after locking in Bo Bichette and swinging a major deal for Luis Robert-David Stearns had one more move up his sleeve. The Mets pulled off a blockbuster trade to land Freddy Peralta, giving their rotation a legitimate frontline starter.
But the real intrigue? The deal came with a bonus arm that could quietly become a key piece of the bullpen puzzle: Tobias Myers.
Let’s be clear-Peralta is the headliner. He’s the kind of pitcher who can anchor a rotation, miss bats, and give the Mets a real shot at matching up with the best in the National League. But tucked into that same deal was Myers, and while he didn’t grab the headlines, his arrival might end up being one of those under-the-radar moves that pays off in October.
Tobias Myers: The Quiet Bullpen Boost
To make room for Peralta and Myers, the Mets designated Cooper Criswell for assignment-a move that says a lot about where the team is going with its bullpen depth. Criswell had been claimed off waivers from Boston back in December, mostly as a depth piece.
His appeal was versatility: a guy who could cover innings as a swingman, spot starter, or long reliever. But the results just weren’t there.
Criswell’s time in the bullpen with Boston didn’t inspire much confidence. In 2024, he posted a 7.53 ERA over 14.1 relief innings, with opponents hitting a staggering .361 against him.
Injuries limited his 2025 campaign, but when he did pitch out of the pen, the numbers didn’t improve much-5.06 ERA, .327 average allowed in just over 10 innings. It’s the kind of profile that makes it tough for a manager to trust him in tight spots.
Enter Tobias Myers.
In 2024, Myers was used primarily as a starter by the Brewers, logging 138 innings with a solid 3.00 ERA. But it was in 2025 that Milwaukee unlocked something special.
After a rough stretch in the rotation-six starts that didn’t go as planned-the Brewers shifted him to the bullpen. And that’s where things clicked.
As a reliever, Myers was lights out. Over 28.1 innings, he posted a 1.91 ERA, held hitters to a .219 batting average, and limited slugging to just .295.
His slider and splitter were the difference-makers. Both pitches kept opponents under a .170 average and a .205 wOBA, with the splitter generating a 39% whiff rate.
That’s elite-level swing-and-miss stuff, especially in high-leverage bullpen situations.
Why This Matters for the Mets
This isn’t just a swap of one fringe arm for another. Myers brings a very different profile than Criswell-one that’s built on stuff, not just innings.
He’s not just a depth piece; he’s a legitimate bullpen weapon who can bridge innings, miss bats, and give the Mets flexibility late in games. In a postseason series, that kind of arm can be the difference between hanging on and shutting the door.
So while the headlines will (rightfully) focus on Peralta joining the rotation, the inclusion of Myers adds another layer to the Mets’ offseason strategy. It’s a subtle move, but one that shows how the front office is thinking beyond just the big names. They’re building a roster that can compete deep into the season-and Myers might just be the kind of sneaky-good addition that helps get them there.