Here is another under-the-radar move by the New York Mets that could quietly pay off down the stretch. Free-agent reliever Richard Lovelady is heading to Queens on a Major League deal, according to sources, after opting out of his Minor League contract with the Minnesota Twins. While this one won’t dominate the headlines, it checks boxes for a team trying to patch up a bullpen that’s been stretched thin.
Lovelady’s Numbers Say He Deserved This Shot
Let’s not beat around the stat sheet—Lovelady earned this opportunity. At Triple-A St. Paul, he was lights out. We’re talking a 1.31 ERA across 19 appearances, with 22 strikeouts in just over 20 innings. For a guy coming off a couple of tough breaks—Tommy John surgery in 2021 and a short, forgettable stint with the Blue Jays earlier this year—those numbers scream, “Let me back in the bigs.”
And now, he’s getting that chance with a Mets bullpen that’s practically been begging for another left-handed arm since A.J. Minter went down. The Athletic reported the Mets had been keeping a close eye on the market for bullpen help. This signing makes it clear they weren’t just window shopping.
A Career Marked by Flashes and Comebacks
After being drafted in the 10th round by the Royals back in 2016, Lovelady’s had a winding journey. He made his MLB debut in 2019 and had a promising look in 2021. Then Tommy John surgery sidelined him through all of 2022. Last season, though? Quietly productive.
With the Rays, he appeared in 28 games, posted a 3.77 ERA, and had an almost identical 3.83 FIP. He did exactly what the Rays usually ask their relievers to do: throw strikes, eat innings, and keep the damage minimal. And yet, he was non-tendered in November. Go figure.
For the Mets, It’s All About Depth Right Now
This isn’t a blockbuster, but it’s a move with purpose. The Mets need reliable bullpen innings—particularly from the left side—and Lovelady gives them exactly that. Maybe he’s not coming in to pitch the eighth in a one-run game against the Braves tomorrow, but he is the kind of arm that can take pressure off the back end of the bullpen and soak up those middle innings without making the manager sweat.
He’s not a guaranteed fix, but at 29, Lovelady’s got enough left in the tank and enough track record to be more than just a lottery ticket. For a Mets team still trying to claw its way back into the thick of the National League picture, adding bullpen help without giving up assets is the smart kind of move you have to make in June.
