2 savvy Braves roster moves the Mets should try to replicate for 2025, 1 they should avoid

The Mets can learn some lessons from what the Braves did last offseason.

Atlanta Braves v New York Mets
Atlanta Braves v New York Mets | Adam Hunger/GettyImages
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The Mets should consider a reliever to transition to a start like the Braves did with Reynaldo Lopez

There’s going to be a longtime reliever who is looking to transition back into a starter’s role. Several have done so in recent years. Our very own Seth Lugo left the Mets and has been pretty good since. He was among the best pitchers in the majors this season.

The Braves rolled the dice on Reynaldo Lopez who posted a 1.99 ERA in 25 starts and a relief appearance. It was one of the more remarkable switches back to the rotation after a couple of years appearing mostly out of the bullpen for the Chicago White Sox.

Atlanta went real bold with Lopez, paying him $4 million in 2024 and $11 million each in 2025 and 2026. There’s even an $8 million team option with a $4 million buyout in 2027. They believed in the experiment. The Mets can probably draw the line there.

We saw the Mets show belief in Sean Manaea and Luis Severino last offseason when their 2023 performances suggested they’d be mediocre at best. Will there be a failed starter who deserves another shot in the rotation again on the market? If so, it’s a way to “buy low” on someone who could turn out to be one of the more important members of the rotation.

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