5 former NY Mets players from last year’s roster without a job as Opening Day nears

2) Phil Maton

It is a bit strange how Phil Maton has gone this long without signing. The only explanation: he values himself based on the way he pitched in the regular season for the Mets versus how he imploded in the postseason. A 2.51 ERA in 28.2 regular season innings but with some struggles late evolved into multiple weak outings in the playoffs. He was not reliable in any of the three series the Mets played in, allowing 4 home runs in 6 appearances.

The Mets had a choice to pick up an option for him this season at $7,775,000. Clearly, they aren’t alone in thinking he wasn’t worth that amount. After a season where he took home $6.25 million which accounts for more than half of his total career earnings, the veteran righty is likely to settle for a far less lucrative deal before Opening Day.

Maton has been trustworthy in recent years with career numbers that suggest he’s as average as it gets. A lifetime ERA+ of 100 and 4.00 FIP point directly at mediocrity. That’s perfectly fine. A good guess is teams would prefer to have younger optional arms in their bullpen than to pay a guy like him much at all.

The relief pitcher market is always one of the strangest of the offseason with many signing quickly and others lingering out there for longer. The most impossible to predict position in the game, Maton’s eventual destination will probably be determined by the health of everyone’s relief corps before Opening Day.