Mets Rumors: Aroldis Chapman, Héctor Neris Interest NYM in MLB Free Agency

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The New York Mets are focused on adding some bullpen help in free agency, showing interest in former Texas Rangers left-hander Aroldis Chapman as well as former Houston Astros reliever Héctor Neris (per SNY’s Andy Martino).

Martino noted that the possibility of signing Chapman may be far-fetched, as the veteran “seems more likely” to find a better fit on a different team. On the other hand, both the Mets and the New York Yankees are expected to pursue Neris and have spoken to his representatives.

Both Chapman and Neris have experience playing in the Fall Classic. Chapman won the World Series with the Chicago Cubs in 2016 and the Texas Rangers in 2023 while Neris earned a ring with the Houston Astros in 2022.

In nine bullpen appearances for Texas in the 2023 postseason, Chapman posted a 2.25 ERA.

For Houston in 2022, Neris struck out nine batters throughout 6.0 innings of postseason work. In the 34-year-old’s eight games, opposing batters hit just .100 against him.

If the Mets miss out on both options, they could pivot toward a familiar face instead. Relief pitcher Adam Ottavino, who spent the past two seasons with the team, is a “possibility” to return on a new contract after declining a $6.75 million option with New York for the 2024 season (via Martino). In 132 appearances over the previous two years, Ottavino maintained a 2.62 ERA with a 1.092 WHIP while striking out 141 batters in 127.1 innings of work.

The Mets’ only notable move to address the bullpen during the offseason has been the addition of Jorge López, as the team signed him to a one-year deal worth $2 million on Dec. 7. López was an All-Star in 2022, although he suited up for three separate teams during a disappointing 2023 campaign.

New York’s front office will attempt to improve upon a bullpen that owned a 4.45 ERA, the ninth-worst mark in baseball, via MLB.com.