Free Agent Profile: Matt Moore, RP
MATT MOORE
Position: RP B/T: L/L
Age: 34 (06/18/1989)
2023 Traditional Stats: 50 G, 4 GF, 52 2/3 IP, 5-1, 2.56 ERA, 1.158 WHIP, 60 SO, 15 BB
2023 Advanced Stats: 176 ERA+, 27.5% SO%, 6.9% BB%, 3.33 xERA, 3.73 FIP, 3.95 xFIP, 0.6 fWAR, 0.3 bWAR
RUNDOWN
Matt Moore began in big league career as a starting pitcher with the Tampa Bay Rays. The former eighth-round pick was an All-Star in 2013, winning a career-high 17 games while pitching to a 3.29 ERA in 150 1/3 innings. But Moore failed to take his pitching to the next level, bouncing around from team to team between 2016 and 2021. It felt as if he was going to be nothing more than a spot starter.
But in March 2022, it all changed for him. Moore signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers to be a part of their bullpen. He had worked as a reliever for brief periods of his career, but never had that as a defined role. At the age of 33, Moore had one of the best seasons of his career, pitching to a staggering 1.95 ERA in a career-high 63 appearances. He went from being a complete unknown to one of the more coveted receivers on the open market.
Moore would wind up signing with the Los Angeles Angels on a one-year, $7.55 million deal heading into the 2023 season. Questions remained as to whether or not he could repeat that level of pitching for a second consecutive season, which he certainly did. Moore made 46 appearances for three teams, including the Cleveland Guardians and the Miami Marlins. He threw less innings than he did the season prior, but he still pitched to a 2.56 ERA. For the second straight off-season, Moore is a very intriguing bullpen option.
CONTRACT
Moore has signed a one-year deal with each of his last two teams, so he may decide to do the same. In the same way, he has pitched incredibly well over the last two years, so he could be in the market for a multi-year deal. I expect Moore to look for the later, given that he is entering the 2024 season at the age of 34. I see the reliever getting a two-year deal, with an AAV of $6.5 million.
RECOMMENDATION
The New York Mets have two left-handed relievers on their 40-man roster, Brooks Raley and Josh Walker. It is difficult to envision a scenario in which Walker begins the 2024 season on the Opening Day roster, so the bullpen may have just one lefty. Teams have built bullpens with less left-handers than that, with the latest example being the 2023 Houston Astros. So if the Mets feel comfortable, they may decide to carry just Raley in their bullpen. leaving Walker in Triple-A Syracuse.
David Stearns could opt to focus on adding in other areas, but I think adding a veteran piece like Matt Moore would be sensible. Last season’s struggles, particularly in the bullpen, made it clear that reinforcements were needed. Adding Michael Tonkin, Jorge López and Austin Adams provides depth, but Moore is coming off an impressive 2023 campaign. If the Mets decide to bring him in, he can slot in as a receiver who can pitch in high-leverage situations.
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