Veteran reliever Tommy Hunter is keen to keep playing, and is interested in a return to the Mets, according to Tim Healey of Newsday.
“I love the game. I loved it here. We’ll see what happens. I think I’m still decently good at the game. And there’s an argument to keep going. My kids love it. As long as they say I can play, them I’m going to keep playing,” Hunter said.
Hunter, 36, made 18 appearances out of the Mets bullpen, pitching to a 2.42 ERA across 22 1/3 innings. Advanced metrics were less enthused about Hunter’s performance, as his FIP sat at 4.28, but his strikeout (23.4%) and walk (6.4%) rates were largely in line with his career numbers, and while his home run rate did jump a bit, it’s perhaps unfair to attribute too much meaning to that given the smaller sample size.
It was the second stint in Queens for Hunter, who pitched eight innings for the Mets in 2021 before going on the injured list for the remainder of the season with a lower back injury, including during his time with the Rays after he was dealt there in the Rich Hill trade. Hunter also twice spent time on the injured list this season with lower back tightness. Injuries have long been a problem for the talented pitcher, and he’s dealt with forearm, calf and hamstring strains dating back to 2017.
However, there’s no denying Hunter’s ability when fit, and his career 3.18 ERA as a reliever across seven teams is evidence of that. Given he finished the season on the injured list, there’ll be some concerns about his health, but he should still have interest from bullpen-hungry teams given the results.
Good for him.
Thats crazy, I didn’t even know he played this year at all. Good on him that he’s still going.
He played when he wasn’t injured.
Which was hardly ever.
Of course he wants to continue pitching. How else can you make that type of salary in the real world. ?
That’d be me….At his age, in this era, Hunter hasn’t needed to have a 2nd job since he was 22….jealous sure. And I know baseball IS a job, but as a caveat…..really?
He’s got his 10+ yrs in, even better!
As a Phillies fan, not a big supporter, but as a baseball lover…? Tommy play as long as possible!
007, He could pull a Ben Weber and become a Chiropractor after he retires haha
I didnt know thats what Weber ended up doing. Does he still get to wear his goggles?
Sasha, not only does he still wear the goggles, but he still uses his old double arm pump as a “technique” on patients. He is a cool guy. There are some pics online with him in his Dr. garb haha.
I wouldn’t let a dr. near me with the phrase “double pump” in the air… nyuck nyuck
I remember the funky delivery. Not sure i would want that as a patient but maybe it helps with realigning the spine
Hahaha Yeah it’s a whole new chiropractic experience…
@TrumboJumbo, I don’t know if he has the spine for it, after all he’d be taking a step back…
Go Yanks
HAHA Glad you are making the rounds today Curly.
Watching the Yanks, every time I hear the team name “Astros” I feel like I need to take a shower, yuck, Please win Yanks…
@Edp007,
Good point especially considering the current price of food, and Tommy obviously loves him some food.
I bet he could put the beer away
Hunter usually just seems out of shape. His injuries are likely attributed at least partly to the fact that he’s overweight.
Minor League deal I’m open to it.
I’d bring him back. He won’t require a big commitment and, if healthy, he would probably be a better option than some of the other depth options in the bullpen that the Mets deployed this season.
His back injury from last season really showed in his production this year. I wouldn’t mind having him back but thats only because I believe he is better than what we have because our Pen is terrible. I know his ERA is lowish but hes a shell of his former self. Was only pitching in low leverage situations
Its hard to return following a back injury if your core is not strong. I wonder how much musclle he has in that core of his
Hunter always Reminds me of Fat Jack Fisher. He’s Mets history, and I think with this back injury, Hunter should be too.
when I was a kid in the hospital,Jack Fisher,Jack Hamilton,and Dallas Green made a visit to the children’s ward,all great guys. Fisher had some good years with the Orioles and the Mets.
Tommy been great with the Mets and can see he’s having a good time and fits. Can’t see he not getting offered/taking one in Queens.
He’s one of Buck’s guys going back to Baltimore. Buck will always make room on the roster for him if he can still
pitch effectively.