NY Mets Roster: 2 pitchers we could “take or leave” for next season

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Sep 22, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Trevor Williams (29) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

A ton of the early focus on the upcoming New York Mets offseason has been put on the team’s big name free agents. Will the long tenures of Noah Syndergaard and Michael Conforto come to an end? Is the team willing to pay Marcus Stroman what he has earned? Will Javier Baez’s time in Flushing be over in a blink?

Beyond those big four, there are several other players who could potentially have their final games with the Mets in these next few days. Among them are a pair of pitchers I would classify as “take or leave.”

I’d like to take a look at each of them and whether or not they should be a part of the Mets pitching staff in 2022.

The Mets could use a guy like Trevor Williams but they do have other options out there

When the Mets picked up Trevor Williams at the trade deadline alongside Baez it was purely a depth move. Williams went straight to Triple-A. It didn’t take long for him to get a big league promotion and become one of the club’s emergency starters due to an influx of doubleheaders on the schedule.

Williams has also spent time pitching in relief, often saved for long man situations or to get some outs late when the other arms have been used. The absolute swingiest of the swingmen, Williams has been used in every situation possible.

Given this flexibility, it’s easy to find a spot for Williams. Because he is still arbitration-eligible next year as well, the Mets nearly need to tender him a contract.

But what if they don’t? What if Williams becomes too expensive of a depth piece? He last earned $2.8 million in 2020 through arbitration (not calculating the pro-rated amount) and then took home $2.5 million from his free agent deal signed with the Chicago Cubs last offseason. I would guess $3 million through arbitration is around what he could receive.

It’s not a lot of money to pay your sixth or seventh starter with big league experience. If the Mets also decide to move on from Robert Gsellman via trade or non-tendering him prior to his final year under team control, there’s a clear and obvious fit for Williams.

We’ll get to what I think will ultimately happen with Williams in a moment. First, let’s look at the other pitcher I could welcome back or cry no tears of sorrow if he left.

Sep 21, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Brad Hand (52) delivers against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

The Mets finally landed Brad Hand and it hasn’t been too great

Remember last winter when everyone wanted the Mets to pick up Brad Hand? It was a big chance to add to their bullpen. He was non-tendered by the Cleveland Indians then eventually signed by the rival Washington Nationals to become their closer. He pitched well enough in that role to end up getting traded to the Toronto Blue Jays midseason. However, he was so poor for Toronto that they cut him loose.

I know the above isn’t quite as rhythmic as the opening theme to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air but that is the story of how Hand ended up with the Mets.

Hand has been underwhelming with the Mets. Used in a couple of different ways, he has been the lighter lefty out of the team’s bullpen since joining them. By this, I mean they have finally had the ability to use Aaron Loup in the “heavier” situations late in games.

Hand hasn’t been a complete disaster. This is precisely why I’m not quite ready to throw a chair if he does come back next year. As the second lefty in the bullpen, it might be perfect because we know he has gotten big outs in the past.

Now that you know the names, it’s time to make some predictions for Williams and Hand: Attorneys at Law.

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 06: Trevor Williams #29 of the New York Mets pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Will the Mets keep Trevor Williams and/or Brad Hand?

As previously stated, Williams can do a lot for the Mets and do it cheaply. It’s his actual talent we can question most. However, given how poorly their attempt to build starting pitching depth this season went, I think the odds are in favor of Williams returning next year.

It also doesn’t hurt him that this front office regime did make a trade for him. People can be petty about things like this. They want to move on quickly from what other general managers did and wear out the additions they made. This is simply an added bonus for anyone willing to lay down some serious coin on Williams’ future—something I would highly recommend you not do. That’s degenerate behavior.

So, Williams is coming back. In exactly what role, I’m not quite sure. Preferably, his minor league options are used and he is an experienced depth piece.

Moving onto Hand.

Hand is a free agent after this year concludes and someone Sandy Alderson wanted badly enough when he was first available last October/November that I could see the Mets giving him another opportunity. But the question comes into what his desired role will be.

Hand was good enough was the Nationals closer to get another shot at it with a bad team in 2022. Why wouldn’t someone take a risk on him if they know the possibility of trading him at the deadline for talent exists? Some of the hottest names at the trade deadline every year come from bad team’s bullpens. It’s not unreasonable to believe one of the league’s lesser teams signs him to become their closer with a clear plan in place to trade him if things go sideways.

I hope you didn’t purchase a Mets jersey with Hand’s name on it. Like betting on Williams’ future, it’s a bad investment. Hand will not return to the Mets in 2022.

Next. 1 free agent the Mets can't let leave

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Home / New York Mets News

The Mets could use a guy like Trevor Williams but they do have other options out there

The Mets finally landed Brad Hand and it hasn’t been too great

Will the Mets keep Trevor Williams and/or Brad Hand?

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