
Jeurys Familia
Where do we start with Jeurys Familia? Let’s start by asking if anyone ever did trust him.
During his best years with the Mets, Familia was a dazzling closer. From 2014-2016, you could have a tough time finding a relief pitcher who performed much better.
Unfortunately, three years hardly make up for the type of pitcher he has become. Familia suffered through injuries in 2017 before rebounding with a solid half-year in 2018 before he was traded away. It’s his most recent struggles which have everyone questioning what he’ll do for this squad in 2020.
Familia was so bad in 2020 the team couldn’t even turn to him to replace Edwin Diaz in the ninth inning when he went through his own troubles. Only a few years removed from leading the league with 51 saves in 2016, Familia was a much different pitcher this past year.
Nothing seemed to work. Whether it was a role change, extra rest, or whatever else Mickey Callaway attempted to do hoping for improvement, Familia faltered.
The season ended with Familia owning a 5.70 ERA in 60 innings pitched. His walk rate was an ugly 6.3 per nine innings—an obvious reason for why the year was such a notably bad one.
Familia has a long way to go if he’s going to have any chance of earning back our trust. He didn’t even show us he was capable of putting together an average season. Unlike the other men on this list, he doesn’t have the excuse of an injury.