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 Dellin Betances

Like Matz, Dellin Betances is in need of a major bounce-back year to earn even a modest contract in 2022. Just that is where the similarities end between the two.

The 6-8 and 265lbs reliever is a four-time all-star and has proven to be one of the most dominant bullpen arms in recent memory. From 2014-2018, Betances played in at least 66 games for the Yankees, with two years below a 2.00 ERA, and the only one above 3.00, at 3.08. Betances’ strikeout per nine innings stood above 15 for three straight years.

Then, in 2019, injuries started taking a toll. He only played in one game for the Yankees before missing the remainder of the year due to a torn achillies. The injuries unfortunately poured into his first-year last season with the Mets, as he finished it on the injured list.

Prior to hitting IL, Betances was not doing to hot either. In 15 games, Betances owned a 7.71era, in large part due to walking more batters than he struck out. Without a doubt, the Mets need Betances to bounce back.

If he does, it will work out for both sides. Betances will have the ability to hit the market again for an age 34 season, coming off of his best year since 2018. He also will have a vesting option for 2022, which comes into play if he plays in over 50 games. It also pays out $13-million if he hits the 70 game mark.

Chances are Betances will improve in 2021, as a player of his caliber with proper spring training should ease into the season better. However, there are too many factors in play to bank on him being a Met in 2022. His injury history, the 50-game minimum, and if he rebounds, he could net more than what he would be due.