Acquire Oakland LHP Sean Doolittle
There have been quite a few recommendations for this on ESNY, but for good reason. Athletics‘ reliever Sean Doolittle would be a coup for the Mets’ bullpen, as the southpaw has closing experience, and would immediately bolster the team’s weak lefty group consisting of just Smoker and Josh Edgin.Doolittle has been one of the most consistent relievers in the majors since his debut in 2012. Over those five seasons, he has produced a 3.07 ERA, a minuscule 0.95 WHIP and 269 strikeouts over 231.2 innings pitched.
He has also accumulated 33 saves over that time, including 22 in a career year in 2014 as closer for the A’s. That ninth inning expertise would come heavily in handy with Familia’s lengthy absence likely to be assigned to him soon.
Smoker stands currently as the most talented lefty arm the Mets have lined up to be in the ‘pen in 2017, but he isn’t a typical southpaw. In fact, he allowed a .360 average to lefties last season, while letting up just a .200 average to right-handed hitters.
On the other hand, lefties hit just .206 against Doolittle in 2016, while he allowed a still low .250 average to righties. So Doolittle’s arrival in Queens would significantly improve many important areas of the Mets’ bullpen in one fell swoop.
