The Mets have declined their $7.75MM group possibility on right-hander Phil Maton, in response to Jon Heyman of the New York Put up. The 31-year-old will obtain a $250K buyout and return to free company.
The choice isn’t a lot of a shock, though Maton pitched fairly nicely for the membership down the stretch this season. The veteran righty posted a 2.58 ERA with an almost an identical 2.57 FIP in 28 2/3 innings of labor after being acquired from the Rays in early July, with a 26.5% strikeout charge towards a 5.3% stroll charge. These glorious numbers could have been value contemplating the $7.5MM resolution on his possibility in the event that they have been held all through the season, however that sadly was not the case.
Not solely did Maton battle badly within the playoffs, with an 8.53 ERA in six appearances for the Mets this season, however his temporary tenure with the Rays was one thing of a catastrophe. His 4.58 ERA in 35 1/3 frames with the membership was 12% worse than league common by measure of ERA+, and his 5.63 FIP was 42% beneath par by measure of FIP-. He struck out simply 19.7% of batters confronted throughout his time with Tampa Bay, however much more regarding was the truth that his stroll charge ballooned to 11.8% throughout that point. In all, that leaves Maton to enter free company with a platform season that casts him as a strong however unspectacular center reliever with a 3.66 ERA and 4.26 FIP in 71 appearances this 12 months.
That’s kind of par for the course for Maton all through his eight seasons within the majors. The best-hander sports activities a profession ERA of 4.16 (100 ERA+) with a 4.00 FIP and a 25.9% strikeout charge towards a 9% stroll charge. The very best season of Maton’s profession got here simply final 12 months with the Astros, his third season in Houston after the membership acquired him from Cleveland halfway by the 2021 marketing campaign within the commerce that made Myles Straw a Guardian. In 2023, Maton struck out 27% of opponents whereas strolling 9.1% en path to a 3.00 ERA in 66 innings of labor.
A membership that buys into Maton’s 2023 efficiency and his stretch run throughout the common season with New York this 12 months may doubtlessly take a look at the right-hander as a late-inning possibility, though it’s potential he’s finest suited to function a steadying, veteran presence in a bullpen like these of the Tigers, Cubs, and Rockies that has relied closely on comparatively younger and inexperienced gamers. All three of these groups determine to be available in the market for aid assist this winter, however that can be stated of just about each group in baseball. That ought to depart Maton comfortably in place to land an enormous league deal this winter, even when it doesn’t come at an AAV north of $7MM like this group possibility would have if exercised.
As for the Mets, Edwin Diaz stays locked in because the membership’s nearer and gamers like Jose Butto, Sean Reid-Foley, and Alex Younger all impressed with the membership this 12 months. Whereas it wouldn’t be a shock to see them search for bullpen upgrades this winter (notably from the left facet), they’ve already begun to make additions with their latest deal to land right-hander Dylan Covey. The signing of Covey, who has struggled within the majors however frolicked each as a aid arm and a starter, may sign that the Mets don’t plan to spend a lot of their appreciable payroll flexibility this winter on relievers as they appear to reconstruct their rotation, retain first baseman Pete Alonso, and get into the thick of the bidding for Juan Soto.
