NY Mets non-tender candidates: 5 players most likely to be released

NY Mets non-tender candidate: Robert Gsellman projected to receive $1.6 million

I was at the first game Robert Gsellman picked up a save back in 2018. Noah Syndergaard started against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was Gsellman who finished it off.

For sure, I thought this would be a historic appearance. It was the first of many saves Gsellman would have with the Mets. Way back then, when I had much more hope, I was a big Gsellman fan and thought he had the destiny to take on the ninth inning role in future years.

Gsellman has only saved 13 more games and isn’t so reliable anymore. His 4.59 ERA as a member of the Mets combined with some injuries over the last two seasons has made him a prime candidate to be non-tendered. Even at a modest $1.6 million projected to come his way, it’s his role with the team we need to question.

Gsellman is probably best used as a mop-up guy and not the long man out of the bullpen. When the Mets turn to him, it’s when they’re losing, not winning. It’s a shame because early on in 2018 he looked like the co-chair with Seth Lugo as the two great relievers in the Mets’ bullpen. Years later, the two have separated themselves drastically.

Because he does have minor league options, Gsellman could come back and be useful as depth. More than that and something went sideways in the offseason.

NY Mets non-tender candidate: Trevor Williams projected to receive $3.8 million

If you told me Trevor Williams was developed in the same lab as Gsellman I would believe it. The two are practically clones of each other. In 2022, I would guess each plays the same exact role.

There’s a major difference between the two. While Gsellman was carving out his niche as a multi-inning reliever in New York, Williams was starting regularly with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Outside of one season back in 2018, things didn’t go so smoothly. Williams regressed and was released by Pittsburgh following the 2020 season. He would sign with the Chicago Cubs and eventually land with the Mets in the Javier Baez deal.

Due to his lengthy track record and far more starts as a major leaguer, Williams’ projected salary via arbitration is more than double what Gsellman is expected to get. Is paying a player in this role worth almost $4 million? Both pitchers are free agents after the 2022 season. Each has minor league options and both look destined for the bullpen with Williams having a slightly better chance at starting a couple of games in an emergency situation.

I have a hard time believing the Mets would pay Williams nearly this much to sit in Syracuse or out in the bullpen to eat up innings. Between the two, Gsellman might have the advantage. Or better yet, the team calls upon someone else for this role.

NY Mets non-tender candidate: Jose Martinez projected to receive $1 million

Another guy with minor league options, the upside of Jose Martinez might not be enough to invite him back. That’s because Martinez missed all of 2021 due to an injury he suffered in the preseason. I used to view him as a nice bat to have off the bench. Now, not so much.

There’s nothing to say about Martinez’s time with the Mets that we haven’t already said about Jed Lowrie. He was all but forgotten this year. By the time he was rehabbing, the Mets were in a tailspin.

At $1 million, Martinez is certainly an affordable bat to have on the bench or in Triple-A ready for a promotion. I don’t view it as likely. Missing an entire year and now being a year further away from 30 (he’s 33), shouldn’t help his case in returning to the Mets. It looks like Jo-Mart will need to settle on yet another minor league deal.

With bats belonging to Mark Vientos and Brett Baty nearing the major leagues, there’s not as much of a necessity to have weapons like Martinez taking up roster spots. I wish him well. I just don’t think he’s a fit for what the Mets need anymore. If anything, the club should keep J.D. Davis or Dominic Smith around to fill the void.

NY Mets non-tender candidate: Joey Lucchesi projected to receive $1.6 million

Joey Lucchesi’s time with the Mets could also come to an end because of an injury. Easily the most important player last season from this list—aside from maybe Williams—Lucchesi isn’t going to pitch at all in 2022. We know this already. Why pay him $1.6 million to rehab?

I know it’s harsh. I know it’s cruel. That’s life.

Lucchesi didn’t do nearly enough in his 38.1 innings of work this past season to warrant patience. Add in some mediocre numbers prior to joining the Mets, he’s a guy worth cutting bait with.

However, if the Mets are willing to wait for the unknown return from Tommy John Surgery, there is time for Lucchesi to figure things out. He’s not a free agent until after the 2024 season so they could still squeeze two years out of him.

But who wants to wait around for that? I know the Mets traded for him and don’t want to come away as the losers in the deal. There is some incentive to proceed with Lucchesi resting on the 60-day IL in perpetuity if they must.

Maybe I’m just a little too ruthless, impatient, and mean. It took Lucchesi long enough to stretch himself out to go five innings this past year. Returning from Tommy John Surgery, I feel like it’s going to take all of 2023 to be even close to what the Mets wanted.

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Which of these non-tender candidates would you bring back?