New York Mets: Four goals for the bullpen to achieve in 2021

The New York Mets players and organization have a few goals they need to achieve this year in the bullpen.

Far too often, a Major League Baseball team is only as good as its bullpen. The New York Mets have experienced this plenty in recent years. The 2018 and 2019 seasons are a great example of how much worse a club’s record can look when the relievers aren’t getting the job done.

Under new ownership—and with a much bigger pocketbook—this shouldn’t be as big of an issue in 2021. At least, this is what many of us are hoping for.

The names in the bullpen haven’t changed much. The results, however, need.

It’s a brand new year in 2021 and a time to start setting some goals. For the Mets bullpen, these are four they should try to achieve.

See whether Edwin Diaz is the man for the job or not

Edwin Diaz is a big mystery. He was horrific on the mound in 2019 but much closer to what we wanted to see in 2020. Like everyone, it’s hard to really know who a player truly is based on their performance this past season. Fewer games means fewer chances to struggle.

Still, the Mets appear at least somewhat confident Diaz can handle the closer duties. The previous regime brought him here to secure wins. In 2021, the biggest goal for the bullpen should be to determine whether or not he keeps his job long-term.

Diaz is still a young pitcher. The Mets have two years of control left before he could potentially reach free agency. This isn’t much time to decide if he’s a part of their future or not. The 2021 season is the time for Diaz to prove to the Mets, and everyone else for that matter, that the ninth inning is where he belongs.

Hopefully, the Mets don’t have nearly as much patience for Diaz as they did in past seasons. Armed with several closer alternatives if he fails to get the job done, the leash is likely shorter than he would like.