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.