NY Mets have a plan for Huascar Brazoban that doesn’t feel like it would end well

Huascar Brazoban was demoted a little earlier than expected by the New York Mets on Tuesday. That’s what happens when you blow a game by not doing the simple things like cover first base. Prior to Tuesday’s game, with Brazoban already demoted and a re-signed Chris Devenski replacing him on the roster, Carlos Mendoza spoke about a plan for Brazoban for his stay in Syracuse.

Brazoban’s 34 pitches in his 2025 debut is the most he managed to throw all year. It was one of only two times he threw 30+. Despite being useful for multiple innings this season early on, the team seems eager to get him back to that point.

It’s not a bad plan in theory. But with Brazoban struggling so mightily in recent outings where he went less than 2 innings, what’s this going to solve?

It feels like the Mets are handing Huascar Brazoban a mop and no bucket of water

Brazoban had been a useful bullpen piece for the Mets this year whether he was going multiple innings, opening, or coming into some high-leverage spots. That was the case until around mid-June when he was no longer as effective. Since then, Brazoban has been more of an average reliever counted on for one inning. It hasn’t gone well, leading to the demotion.

If the plan is to stretch Brazoban out, what’s the benefit if he is struggling in inning number one? The absence of Brandon Waddell due to injury took away one of their bulk relievers. The lefty hurler was one of their more reliable arms to use behind an opener (a role Brazoban took on a few times) as well as an emergency start. This is the void the Mets seem like they’re trying to fill with an optional player like Brazoban.

Paul Blackburn is one candidate who could be a bulk relief guy, but without minor league options, it’s difficult to see where he even fits in once healthy. 

Stretching Brazoban out for a few weeks isn’t a bad plan. How long it will take and when we could see him back is a big mystery. September is a realistic goal with him being an option to use the added roster spot. Playoffs? October baseball is well within reach and having him waiting in the bullpen to mop things up in a blowout feels like the ceiling of how the Mets would use him at this point.

It’s a big fall for Brazoban who spent a good chunk of the year as one of the best middle relievers in baseball. Now he’s just in the rotation of bullpen arms being asked to do something very different.