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NY Mets: 3 reasons to remain confident in the bullpen in 2021

By Mason Smoller |
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 20: Relief pitcher Jeurys Familia #27 of the New York Mets in action during an MLB baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on September 20, 2020 at Citi Field in the Queens borough of New York City. Braves won 7-0. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 20: Relief pitcher Jeurys Familia #27 of the New York Mets in action during an MLB baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on September 20, 2020 at Citi Field in the Queens borough of New York City. Braves won 7-0. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Jeurys Familia #27 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros in a spring training game at Clover Park on March 16, 2021 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Jeurys Familia #27 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros in a spring training game at Clover Park on March 16, 2021 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

When it comes to pitching, the New York Mets strength has been the starting rotation for years now. It has featured the likes of Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, and many more. All who are capable of shutting out an opponent any given day…

At least until the game gets handed to the bullpen.

The Amazins’ biggest weakness in recent seasons has been the performance of their relief pitchers. Numerous blown saves, implosions, and inconsistency amongst personnel have led to the team’s starters watching the leads they protected fade away. A result that deGrom especially has become used over the past three years.

Take the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2020 season for example. Yes, the Mets had great performances from Justin Wilson, Chasen Shreve, and an improved Jeurys Familia. However, when struggling relievers such as Corey Oswalt, Walker Lockett, or Paul Sewald continue to receive bulk innings, it is a big issue.

As the Mets enter the 2021 season, it is time to be confident in the team’s bullpen

This off-season, one that will bring more normalcy as the league has improved their coronavirus protocols, saw the Mets make strides around the team. They added more offensive firepower, improved the team’s defense, acquired more starting pitching, and above all, altered the bullpen.

Yes, there are still going to be plenty of questions and concerns regarding the overall health of the relievers, as well as what they can bring to the table in 2021. But, the bottom line is fans can be confident when manager Luis Rojas makes a call to the bullpen this season. And here is why…

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – MARCH 18: Aaron Loup #32 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals in a spring training game at Clover Park on March 18, 2021 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – MARCH 18: Aaron Loup #32 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals in a spring training game at Clover Park on March 18, 2021 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Mets have significant bullpen depth

One of the top priorities for the Mets this off-season was adding depth around the diamond. The team brought players such as Albert Almora, Kevin Pillar, and Jonathan Villar to add depth to the field. There are also the additions of Joey Lucchesi, Sam McWilliams, Sean Reid-Foley, and Jordan Yamamoto who all can start whenever necessary.

Yet, one of the deeper units of the team is now the bullpen. A group that will be highlighted by Seth Lugo once he returns from injury, the Mets have more arms to turn to than ever.

Edwin Diaz will be back in the closer role in 2021. Free agent signing Trevor May will add a huge flame thrower before him. Plus, mid-season acquisition Miguel Castro will be back for his first full season with the team.

Outside of those three, Rojas can pick and choose who he wants to send into the game. Dellin Betances will be back healthy, and Jeurys Familia will look to be more consistent this season. The same can be said too for Robert Gsellman.

There are also new faces to the bullpen, like lefty Aaron Loup, who will likely be the team’s primary southpaw. Not to mention those competing for spots on the opening day roster in Jacob Barnes, Drew Smith, and Stephen Tarpley. All who have performed well in spring training.

There is no doubt about the risk of New York’s bullpen, given the inconsistent play of most of these arms in recent years. At the same time, the upside and the depth of the group is too good to ignore, being the reason why the bullpen projects well with FanGraphs in 2021.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 21: Edwin Diaz #39 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at The Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on March 21, 2021 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 21: Edwin Diaz #39 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at The Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on March 21, 2021 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

A Revitalized Edwin Diaz

The 2020 season was a disappointing one from the start for the New York Mets, whose upside had fans hoping to see post-season play. Instead, the Mets finished 26-34 and fourth place in the National League East. Nonetheless, one of the least talked about storylines from 2020 was the return of Edwin Diaz as a lockdown reliever.

When New York made the infamous Robinson Cano trade, the expectation was Diaz would be the best bullpen arm the team has had in years. After all, Diaz’s 1.96era and 73.1 innings pitched saw him not only play in his first All-Star game but also win the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year.

Just when he first came to New York, Diaz fell apart, pitching for a 5.59era in 58 innings of work in 2019. It seemed as if the trade was a complete bust, and that Diaz would become a liability to the team.

Then, in 2021, Diaz quietly returned to form. He was not perfect, as only had a 60% save rate. Apart from that, he looked every part of the elite reliever the Mets thought they acquired.

In 25.2 innings pitched, Diaz owned a 1.75era, only giving up two home runs, which were his biggest problem in 2020. He also had a career-high 17.5 strikeout per nine inning mark to go with a FIP decrease from 4.51 to 2.18.

By no means was the Puerto Rico native perfect this past season. Yet Diaz certainly did enough to head into 2021 with All-Star level expectations.

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 5: Seth Lugo #67 of the New York Mets pitches in an MLB baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on September 5, 2020 at Citi Field in the Queens borough of New York City. Mets won 5-1. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 5: Seth Lugo #67 of the New York Mets pitches in an MLB baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on September 5, 2020 at Citi Field in the Queens borough of New York City. Mets won 5-1. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /

The eventual return of Seth Lugo

The New York Mets sought out more depth to their bullpen for a reason this off-season. Injuries and inconsistent pitching from their relievers left the team vulnerable in the past. That being something that needed to change entering 2021.

Little did they know though that the depth would come in handy before opening day even came around. On February 16th, the Amazins’ top reliever Seth Lugo underwent surgery to remove a bone spur in his pitching elbow.

This comes as a massive blow, as Lugo was set to return to the bullpen this season. In 2020, with the team’s starting pitching woes, Lugo was stretched out and put into the starting rotation. A move that resulted in Lugo putting up a 6.15era in seven starts, as opposed to his 2.61era in nine games as a reliever.

Again, the Mets bullpen has been their weakness in recent years, although Lugo has been the one reliable piece. Since making his debut in 2016, Lugo owns a 2.53era in 188.2 innings pitched out of the pen, compared to a 4.35era in 38 starts. Clearly, the 31-year-old righty is best suited as the team’s top bullpen arm.

This season, improved depth and a vintage Edwin Diaz are going to make the bullpen drastically better for the Mets. Even so, nobody has the potential to turn New York’s pen into one of the best in baseball more than Lugo, who will start throwing again around opening day.

Mets biggest wild card is Dellin Betances. Next

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Even with the bullpen’s struggles in recent years, there are plenty of reasons to be confident in the New York Mets relievers entering the 2021 season.

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