3 NY Mets players who could bump Danny Young off the roster this spring

It won’t be long before the sweet sound of spring fills the air in Florida and Arizona—fungo bats cracking, catchers’ gloves popping, and the oddly satisfying click-clack of metal cleats on dugout concrete. Spring training is the calm before the storm: a chance for most players to shake off the winter rust, get to know new teammates and tweak their mechanics before the grind of 162 games begins. But for some—looking at you, a few New York Mets relievers—this spring is less “warm-up” and more “audition.” Three players seem poised to compete for a bullpen role, a job currently held by Danny Young. It's time to bring the heat, fellas.

While the spotlight will be on the marquee names this spring in Port St. Lucie, a quieter but meaningful battle will unfold in the Mets' bullpen.

1) Anthony Gose

I’m tossing Anthony’s name into the bullpen conversation purely because of his upside and undeniable arm talent. A lefty who can pump high 90s with an 86-mph slider isn’t exactly something you stumble upon in the bargain bin. So, how did the Mets scoop him up on a minor-league deal? Well, here’s the plot twist: (deep breath) he started as an outfielder, switched to pitching, had Tommy John surgery in 2022, and oh yeah, he’s turning 35 this year.

His MLB story began in 2012 with the Blue Jays, where he hit .234 with a .301 OBP and .332 slugging over 616 plate appearances. After three seasons, he was traded to the Tigers, where he posted a similar line—.247/.315/.363 in 636 plate appearances over two years. His struggles at the plate eventually led him to reinvent himself, swapping the batter’s box for the pitcher’s mound.

He spent about four seasons in the minors from 2017 to 2021, making stops with the affiliates of Detroit, Texas, and Cleveland before finally earning his way back to the big leagues in September 2021 with Cleveland. His workload since then has been minimal—just 32 innings over three seasons, interrupted by the Tommy John surgery mentioned earlier. It’s been anything but a straightforward path, but here we are.

Despite his unconventional journey, he has all the tools to secure a spot in the Mets bullpen. His 28% strikeout rate, proves he can overpower hitters, while a 70.2% left-on-base percentage shows he’s no stranger to working out of tight spots (both during his time in Cleveland). But the real gem? That slider—a devastating pitch with a 66.7% whiff rate in 2022. Pair that with a high-90s fastball from the left side, and you’ve got a pitcher who can be reliable if he can clean up his control. Sure, he’ll be 35 and coming off Tommy John surgery, but the upside here is undeniable. With the proper instruction from the Mets organization, don’t be shocked if Gose forces his way onto the roster and becomes a piece of the bullpen this season.