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3 NY Mets pitchers who were somehow worse under Jeremy Hefner

Jeremy Hefner couldn't seem to get these 3 pitchers right while with the Mets.
ByNoah Wright|
Aug 14, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) reacts as he walks off the field after the top of the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Aug 14, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) reacts as he walks off the field after the top of the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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3) Ryne Stanek

Ryne Stanek is a reliever the Mets brought in at the 2024 deadline. He was acquired from the Seattle Mariners, where he had a 4.38 ERA, 4.04 FIP, and 1.33 WHIP. He had a solid 25.6% K%, but walked nearly 10% of opponents with a 9.9% BB%, and only had a roughly league-average HR/9 ratio. But with a strong 110 FanGraphs Stuff+, and a strong resume with the Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, and Houston Astros in the past, there was reason to believe the Mets could make something of Stanek.

But Stanek's time with the Mets in 2024 was poor, to say the least. It was only 16.1 innings, but he allowed 11 earned runs, leading to a 6.06 ERA. He induced 23 K's, but also handed out eight free passes. On top of that, he allowed three more home runs. But the most worrying sign was the massive dip in Stuff+ to 101. Despite all the red flags, the Mets opted to bring Stanek back into the fold for 2025 on a one-year contract.

For the first two months of the season, Hefner looked like he might have helped Stanek out. At the end of May, he owned a 3.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 2.52 FIP. He didn't allow a single home run either, and his Stuff+ rebounded to 115. But there were still some questionable numbers under the hood. Stanek was still walking batters at a 9.5% rate, but saw a dip in K% to 21.5%. Despite not allowing a home run, he only had a 90.3 MPH exit velo and an 8.6% barrel rate.

Those red flags caught up to Stanek after that. He put up just a 6.38 ERA, 5.40 FIP, and 1.72 WHIP for the rest of 2025. His K% only went up to 23.4%, and his walk rate also moved in the wrong direction to 14%. Stanek's HR/9 skyrocketed to 1.72, while his barrel rate rose to 12.1%. The only positive is that he maintained a 116 Stuff+.

Like with Helsley, if Hefner couldn't figure out how to get at least get playable production out of a guy with a Stuff+ mark over 115, then he may not be the coach the Mets need. Stanek had plenty of track record and ability to be a good pitcher for the Mets, but his time with them marked the worst tenure of his career thus far.

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