8 easiest Mets players on the 40-man roster to non-tender or release this offseason

3) Max Kranick

Max Kranick had a season you probably didn’t pay much attention to. A waiver claim who earned an extra option year because he missed enough time with injuries in the past to qualify for it, this seemingly savvy pickup never had any sort of payoff for the Mets. He did crack the National League Wild Card Series roster simply because the Mets had the desire to have an innings eater around. He never would get into a playoff game.

Kranick grew up a Mets fan and to even be a part of this magical season achieved some sort of life’s mission. Kranick is a candidate to return on a new minor league deal. However, with the last of his options used up and no real proof he’d be of any value to carry on the 26-man roster for Opening Day, it’s easy to picture the Mets releasing him.

4) Joey Lucchesi

An unsung hero late for the Mets, Joey Lucchesi ate up some innings in Game 162 against the Atlanta Braves. He went through the motions. He helped bridge the final game of the regular season into the playoffs for the ball club. Viewed in the past as a solid depth piece, Lucchesi’s final minor league option was exhausted this year when the team sent him to Syracuse before the year even began.

Battling back from Tommy John Surgery to pitch as well as he did in 2023 for the Mets (yeah, he made a couple of starts, remember?) at least showed teams Lucchesi has something left to offer. Of all the Mets players to join the organization since Steve Cohen took over, no one’s tenure flew by as quickly as Lucchesi. It still feels like he has one full quality season left in him.