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

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?