Mets Closer Depth Chart: Who is second in line behind Edwin Diaz?

If Edwin Diaz cannot get the job done in the ninth for the New York Mets for whatever reason, who gets the save opportunity?

Heading into the 2021 MLB season, the New York Mets currently have Edwin Diaz penciled in as the team’s closer to begin the year.

After a disastrous first year with the club in 2019, Diaz appeared to have rebounded in the shorted 2020 season, having posted a career-low ERA of 1.75, and reinstalled confidence to be handed the ball in the 9th inning going forward.

Going into 2021, the Mets are expected to play a full 162 games of baseball this time around, and despite an impressive performance last time around, there remains the ever-looming possibility Diaz may need to be replaced as closer at some point.

Whether or not this is due to returning struggles on the mound on Diaz’s part, or due to injury as is always a threat to occur, the Mets need to be ready with a backup plan in case a replacement closer is needed.

While they could look outside the organization and make a trade, any good team has depth in the bullpen and should be able to slot another reliever into the closing spot should the occasion arise. Fortunately for this club, the bullpen currently has some viable options to record the final three outs of any game if Diaz doesn’t get the job done. What does the closer depth chart look like?

Mets Closer Option – Trevor May

One of the first free agent signings under Steve Cohen’s ownership, if the role as Mets closer opens up in 2021, Trevor May could fill the role very admirably.

Originally drafted by the Phillies in the 2008 draft, Trevor May was first called up to the Major Leagues in 2014 by the Minnesota Twins as a starting pitcher before being converted into a relief pitcher.

After a shaky start to his career in the big leagues and missing the entire 2017 season following Tommy John Surgery, May has established himself as one of the top “set up men” in baseball.

In his return from surgery, May has averaged out a 3.19 ERA over 113 innings since the 2018 season. He has also had his number called to close out games on occasion, recording 7 saves over that stretch as well.

May is coming to New York on a 2-year contract and looks to be slotted in as a setup man for New York, helping to bolster what was an inconsistent bullpen from the season prior.

He performed very consistently in Minnesota, which is considered a “hitter’s park”, and if for whatever reason he was called upon to close out a game for the Mets, based on his past record, he could fill the role very nicely.

Since returning from surgery in the 2018 season, May has seemingly risen to the occasion to every task he was asked to do, from moving from the starting rotation into the bullpen, to becoming one of the top set up men in the game. If the Mets are in need of a closer in 2021, May would certainly be a good gamble to take.

Mets Closer Option – Dellin Betances

One of the Mets’ top signings of last year’s offseason, Dellin Betances has had a rough two years in the MLB, but when he is right, he could be one of the league’s top relievers, and if that ends up being the case, a great option as backup closer as well.

During his time with the Yankees to begin his career, Betances was one of the top relievers in the MLB, being elected to the AL All-Star team four straight years from 2014-2017. In his last full season with the Yankees in 2018, he logged a 2.70 ERA over 66 innings.

Betances missed all but one game with the Yankees in 2019, as he dealt with a bone spur in his right shoulder to begin the year, and tore his Achilles tendon following his return.

After essentially missing a season recovering from two major injuries, the start to the 2020 season had its start delayed by several months due to Covid-19 and did not have a proper Spring Training before its start. All of this lead to a rough return for Betances, and he ended up with a 7.71 ERA over 11.2 innings in his first year with the Mets.

Despite his past two seasons, if Betances regains some semblance of his prior form, he could be a very effective reliever once again, and a viable option at closer for New York if needed. The Yankees were known to hand the ball to Dellin in the 9th inning in the past, as he recorded 36 saves over his 8 years in the Bronx.

Granted, all of this stems from Betances once again being healthy and pitching consistently out of the bullpen, but as Mets fans know, depth is a must-have for any team with playoff aspirations, and if Dellin is right, then the Mets will have yet another viable option to close out games for them.

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