Mets: Three Jeurys Familia predictions for the 2020 season

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - MARCH 03: Jeurys Familia #27 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch during the spring training game against the Miami Marlins at Clover Park on March 03, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - MARCH 03: Jeurys Familia #27 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch during the spring training game against the Miami Marlins at Clover Park on March 03, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 11: Jeurys Familia #27 of the New York Mets pitches in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 11, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

An option for the opener

The Mets have already discussed the possibility of using openers in 2020. I don’t think it will be a common occurrence, but I do think there’s a really good chance we see it happen at least once.

In the early talks, it seems the team would use it during the fifth spot in the rotation. Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo are the pair mentioned as potential options before either Steven Matz or Michael Wacha enter the game. Why not consider Familia?

Lugo has no business in baseball as an opener. If he’s on the mound in the first inning, he has to be a starter. His innings are far too valuable.

Gsellman is a little different. But because he has started in the past, I would like to have him available for more than one inning.

Familia is a traditional reliever and someone the Mets could and should actually consider as an opener if this is the direction they got. I understand it’s unfamiliar territory for him. But isn’t the whole idea of an opener strange to just about everyone?

I’m not confident enough to predict we actually see Familia open games for the Mets in 2020. I do envision a scenario where he becomes a viable option.

As one of the relievers in the bullpen we wouldn’t want to see go more than an inning at a time, it makes much more sense to use him early. Who knows what can happen? Maybe the Mets stumble onto something great like when Jim Carrey started doing serious roles.

For a bonus prediction, I think Familia ends up with at least one save this year. Last season was the first time since 2012 when he tossed just 12.1 innings that didn’t feature one from him. I see an unplanned new streak beginning in 2020.

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What do you expect from Familia in 2020?

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