It has been a good start to the month of July for the New York Mets considering the fact they had a terrible month of June. The Mets are now looking to gain some ground on a National League Wild Card spot. But if they want to make an improbable run, changes need to be made for this Mets team.
We all know that Daniel Vogelbach has been by far a disaster for the Mets this season as his days for the Mets seem all but numbered. But there has been one player for the Mets this season on the pitching side that needs to be DFA'd as soon as possible. He has really been struggling as of late and especially over the last several outings that got Mets fans wanting him gone. That would be Dominic Leone.
NY Mets Relief Pitcher Dominic Leone is on the verge of being DFA'd
The Mets brought in the veteran Leone hoping he can help this Mets banged up bullpen that saw key players leave in free agency like Seth Lugo and Trevor May and of course the loss of Edwin Diaz for the season after his injury in the WBC. But the 31-year-old who had two really good year's with the San Fransisco Giants in 2022 and 2021 has not replicated that same success in his first season in Queens.
So far this season, Leone has pitched to an ERA north of five at 5.09 and has already given up five home runs this season out of the bullpen. Leone only gave up six all of last year for the Giants in his 49.1 innings pitched and two in 2021 in his 53.2 innings pitched. So it is safe to say that Leone has not been the same pitcher this year as he was in the Bay Area.
Leone must be designated for assignment. This Mets bullpen has already been mediocre as it is right now and getting rid of Leone would be a start to fix the mess that they have created. I get that Leone can be a reliable arm out of the bullpen and despite his struggles can get outs, but when you have an ERA that is north of five and you're a team that wants to make an impossible run into the postseason, you must get rid of him. The Mets have had a promising start to the month of July and if they continue to stack up the wins, trading for a more reliable veteran or two, will justify the Mets DFA'ing Dominic Leone.