Braves release former NY Mets player after a predictable spring training

This year’s New York Mets bullpen should look a lot different late in games with a lefty at the plate up against them. The Mets went big with their lefty reliever choice, signing A.J. Minter away from the Atlanta Braves. It was a much different approach this offseason to the bullpen than it was last offseason. The team had Brooks Raley left over from the previous regime and brought journeyman Jake Diekman for $4 million.

Diekman would wear out his welcome in New York before July was over. His crowning achievement was striking out Aaron Judge in what felt like a lopsided matchup. Unfortunately for Diekman, home runs and walks ended up getting the best of him. He’d finish his tenure with the Mets allowing 6.8 walks per 9 to go along with an equally as rough 2 home runs per 9.

He never did end up with a new contract after the team officially released him on August 3. In early February, he made his way to the Braves on a minor league deal with an invite to camp. The invitation has been rescinded. After being reassigned to minor league camp, the Braves have decided to move on from him following a predictably poor spring training performance.

Former Mets pitcher Jake Diekman is a free agent again

The thing to always keep in mind with spring training performances is that the sample will never be too great to draw any fully conclusions. In 7.1 innings, Diekman managed to hold down a below-average 4.91 ERA along with 6 hits, 4 walks, and 8 strikeouts. It wasn’t enough to send him directly into retirement without passing “Go.” Spring training isn’t always a results-driven period for veterans like him. The Braves simply didn’t seem to see enough to have him on their Opening Day roster nor was this a match made to extend into Opening Day with a trip for Diekman to Triple-A.

The Mets mistakenly bought into what was a successful rebirth for Diekman in the latter part of the 2023 season as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays. In his 30.2 innings previously with the Chicago White Sox which began in 2022 and went into 2023, Diekman was 0-4 with a 7.04 ERA. It all changed in Tampa Bay. His 45.1 innings to finish off 2023 included a 2.18 ERA. Soft contact was key. An average exit velocity of only 83.2 mph and hard-hit percentage of 26% all helped explain why he was such a stud.

Believe it or not, Diekman wasn’t always so abominable with the Mets. In March/April, hitters bat just .107/.278/.107 against him. There was some deception there, however. He had a 3.86 ERA despite the success. In fact, batters struggled to make regular contact against him. They hit .167 in June and yet he still came away with a 6.75 ERA. A part of it was due to him walking batters in excess and other relievers allowing the hits that would end up charged to his ERA.

July was when it all went off the rails. Diekman was 1-1 with a 10.80 ERA in 6.2 innings of work. His final 20 appearances in June and July equated to only 13.1 innings of work. A big uptick in home runs, 4 in July specifically, made him unusable any longer.

Diekman will head back out into free agency looking for another contract, likely yet another minor league deal. Now 38, retirement is also a realistic option. A gunslinger to face Judge in a big moment? I wouldn’t count on him winning that battle again.