3) Genesis Cabrera
The Mets’ left-handed relief pitching depth is looking slim right now. Danny Young has a chance to breakout for the Mets, but he is their only lefty bullpen arm that is healthy right now, as A.J. Minter could open the year on the injured list. That could lead to Genesis Cabrera grabbing one of the last bullpen spots at the end of spring training.
Cabrera has a career 3.89 ERA, albeit with a 4.53 FIP and 1.35 WHIP. He has struck out batters at a respectable 22.4% rate but has a below-average 11.4% walk rate and a 1.11 HR/9 ratio. However, Cabrera hasn’t gotten knocked around the yard too hard, with an 88.6 MPH exit velocity and 7.5% barrel percentage. Cabrera’s stuff has typically graded out well, with a career 108 Stuff+ and a career-best 111 mark last season.
The Mets picked him up on a minor league contract this offseason, and he’s pitched two scoreless frames out of the bullpen. The Southpaw has induced a 46.2% whiff rate and has yet to allow a barreled-up batted ball in the small sample size of playing time. Another positive is that he has not allowed a free pass to first base yet.
Injuries will give Cabrera a chance to take an Opening Day bullpen spot, but his performance so far has also warranted it. He also has some of the most MLB experience among the Mets’ non-roster invitees. While his peripherals throughout his Major League career aren’t great, he hasn’t induced bad results, so giving him a chance out of camp until A.J. Minter is ready is a good alternative for now.