Three Mets who will absolutely not be back after the 2021 season

The New York Mets are going to have some decisions to make in the near future about their 2022 free agents. However, for three players, letting them hit the market may not be much of a debate.

Already, the New York Mets have signed relief pitcher Trevor May and catcher James McCann. It is a great start to what should continue to be a very active offseason for the Mets. In large part because of new owner Steve Cohen.

As the team scours the market for stars, such as George Springer and Trevor Bauer, they are also planning ahead. They signed McCann seeing him as the better fit for their plans than J.T. Realmuto. New York is spending smart too because of the COVID-19 pandemic cutting costs for many teams, though now having the richest owner in the sport helps.

That being said, it is obvious the Mets are not spending foolishly. Not anymore. They are finally becoming the major market team that is actually fighting to get out of the New York Yankees’ shadow.

Having a multi-year plan for the team helps. In large part when looking ahead to their 2022 free agents, as there are some decisions to be made. Right fielder Michael Conforto has earned a new contract after a fantastic season in 2020. They will also need to determine what the future holds for starters Noah Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman, who are due to hit the market.

At the same time, they will also need to determine who to let walk. New York has a handful of key contributors who will have expiring contracts following this season. Here are three who to this point should not be expected to be in a Mets uniform come Opening Day 2022.

Pitcher Steven Matz

This list would not be complete without Steven Matz’s name. Coming off of the worst season of his career, it comes as no surprise that 2021 could make or break his Mets career. That is, assuming he is able to bounce back.

In the abbreviated 2020 season, Matz put up the worst numbers of his career. Of his nine games, six were starts, only one lasting through six innings. Matz posted an abysmal 9.68era, easily the worst of his career.

Last season, the Mets needed Matz to step up. Noah Syndergaard was hurt, and Marcus Stroman had opted out, and with Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha struggling, it was Matz’s time to shine. Clearly, he did not.

While 2020 was the worst year of his career, it was yet another massive disappointment for the New York native. Drafted in the second round of the 2009 June Amateur Draft, Matz came to the majors with high expectations. Early on, he looked that mark of a high-end starter, with a 2.27era in 2015, then 3.40era in 2016.

Injuries plagued him in 2017 before he posted back-to-back 30 start campaigns in 2018 and 2019. At that point it seemed unlikely he would be an ace, though, nobody saw his fall off coming.

In fact, this off-season, non-tendering Matz was a legitimate option. Now back for one more season, Matz is receiving $5.2 million as a potential long reliever or emergency starter. With his future up in the air given not having a set-in-stone role, chances are he will not be back with the team in 2021.

Reliever Jeurys Familia

Last but not least is former star closer Jeurys Familia. When he came back to Queens in 2019, it was to provide some stability to the team’s bullpen. Instead, Familia ended up being one of the main points of why Brodie Van Wagenen is no longer with the team.

Yes, Familia was a phenomenal reliever for the Mets in his first stretch with the Mets. Becoming a regular in 2014, Familia put together a fantastic stretch through 2016. He recorded 99 saves, and his highest earned run average of 2.55 came in an all-star season.

After a subpar season in 2017, he bounced back in 2018 and was dealt at the trade deadline to the Oakland Athletics. Upon hitting the market following that season, Familia came back to New York on a three-year deal. One that caught many, specifically with it being valued at $30-million.

Even before coming back to the Mets, it was clear he was no longer the pitcher he was. Nevertheless, the Mets hoped he could be a functional arm in a setup role. In his first year, walk and hits came at a much higher rate than expected, contributing to a horrid 5.70era in 66 games.

As for 2020, Familia showed significant signs of improvement. Walks were still an issue, though hits per nine innings were at their lowest mark since his 1.85era campaign in 2015.

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It should not be expected for Familia to continue to improve the way he did in 2020. With it being the final year of his deal, in all likelihood, this will be the final season he spends in a Mets uniform.