The New York Mets aren’t done tinkering with their bullpen, especially when it comes to left-handed relief depth. Even after swinging a trade for Bryan Hudson earlier this month, the front office continues to explore every possible option to shore up the back end of the pitching staff. And while they didn’t land Cionel Pérez, their reported interest in the lefty signals that the search is still very much on.
Pérez is coming off a rough 2025 season - an 8.31 ERA with 18 walks in just 21.2 innings doesn’t exactly scream “hot commodity.” But in baseball, context is everything.
Just a couple of seasons ago, Pérez was lights-out for the Orioles, posting a sparkling 1.40 ERA in 2022. That kind of upside still has teams intrigued, and it’s why several clubs - including the Mets, Rays, Red Sox, Tigers, and Yankees - reportedly kicked the tires before he signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Nationals.
If he makes the team, he’ll earn $1.9 million plus incentives.
For the Mets, that price tag might’ve been a little steep for a player who could be cut loose by the end of March. But it also shows they’re still actively evaluating left-handed options, especially with A.J. Minter sidelined and the bullpen hierarchy still taking shape.
Right now, Hudson stands as the most likely candidate to secure a lefty relief role behind Brooks Raley. Coming off a breakout 2024 campaign with the Brewers, Hudson brings some momentum and, importantly, is already on the 40-man roster with no minor league options remaining. That gives him a leg up in what’s shaping up to be a quiet but competitive spring training battle.
The Mets’ February has been more about depth than splash. In addition to the Hudson trade, they’ve brought in infielder Grae Kessinger on a minor league deal and catcher MJ Melendez on a split contract. None of these moves dominate headlines, but they’re the kind of under-the-radar additions that can quietly pay off over a long season.
Still, the lefty bullpen picture remains fluid. If the Mets enter the season healthy in the rotation - a big “if” - there’s a chance someone like David Peterson or Sean Manaea could be shifted into a relief role.
Both are lefties with starting experience, and either could provide valuable innings out of the pen if needed. That said, the team hasn’t committed to a six-man rotation, and it’s unlikely they’ll stick to one for the full season.
Veteran lefty Andrew Chafin also signed a similar “prove it” deal with the Twins earlier in the day - $2 million guaranteed if he makes the club, plus $1.25 million in bonuses. That kind of deal might’ve been a tough sell in Queens, where the bullpen spots are tighter and patience thinner. For pitchers like Chafin or Pérez, the Mets might not offer the same runway as a team like Minnesota.
That’s the challenge for New York. They’re still hunting for lefty help, but free agents know the window to stick with the club is short.
That’s likely part of what made Hudson an appealing target - he didn’t have a say in the matter. Now he’s in camp with a real shot to make the roster.
With spring training underway and the roster still in flux, expect the Mets to keep working the margins. Whether it’s a late free-agent signing or a waiver claim, there’s still room to maneuver.
The bullpen isn’t set, and the front office knows it. In a division where every inning matters, especially in the late frames, the Mets are leaving no stone unturned.
There’s always room in St. Lucie for another arm - especially one that throws from the left side.