3 more unplanned NY Mets Opening Day surprises we're about to see come true

3) Bullpen Makeover

If not for the buzz surrounding Clay Holmes, Brett Baty, and Juan Soto, Max Kranick might be a bigger storyline. If making the most of an opportunity had a face, Kranick’s would be front and center. The 27-year-old righty, claimed off waivers from the Pirates, has bulldozed through spring training with a 1.93 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 12 strikeouts over 9.1 innings. Armed with a mid-90s fastball and a sharp mix of a slider and curve, he’s done more than enough to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster—especially with the Mets scrambling to cover injuries in their rotation.

After throwing two live batting practice sessions on March 10 and 13, Dedniel Núñez is set to make his Grapefruit League debut as he pushes to break camp with the team. The 2024 rookie, who will undoubtedly be a key piece of the Mets’ bullpen when fully healthy, is working his way back from a strained flexor tendon that sidelined him last year. Before the injury, Núñez was electric, posting a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 35.6% strikeout rate, and 34.7% whiff rate.

With Griffin Canning stepping into the rotation, expect Max Kranick to serve as the bridge between the starters and the back end of the bullpen. Meanwhile, Núñez will prove he’s ready, forcing Danny Young onto waivers as he looks to pick up where he left off in 2024.