3 players that are already offseason non-tender candidates

3) NY Mets offseason non-tender candidate: Joely Rodriguez

In a stunning trade right before Opening Day, the Mets sent one of their better relievers in Miguel Castro to the Yankees in exchange for Joely Rodriguez.

The Mets never addressed the lefty reliever spot after letting Aaron Loup walked and acquired Rodriguez to fill that role.

I never liked this trade from the jump, as Castro had the better season in 2021 and the better track record. The Mets focused too much on the handedness, not the numbers.

It turns out that Castro did not have his best year and missed substantial time due to injury. Rodriguez has been even worse, but at least he's stayed healthy.

Similar to Castro, Rodriguez has had a hard time throwing strikes. His 5.6 BB/9 is by far a career worst and has ruined his season. Rodriguez has done a great job limiting hard contact as he ranks in the 99th percentile in average exit velocity according to baseball savant. He's given up just three home runs in 41.2 innings pitched, but the walks are a huge reason why he has a 5.18 ERA this season.

Rodriguez is on the bubble for the postseason roster only because he throws left handed. He cannot be trusted in high leverage spots and if it were up to me, he wouldn't even make the postseason roster.

I believe the Mets missed out on Andrew Chafin in free agency and at the trade deadline. Rodriguez is entering his first arbitration year and has not had a good year so he will be cheap, making it possible the Mets hold onto him.

The Mets also have virtually their entire bullpen other than Drew Smith entering free agency this offseason, making it easy to hold onto Rodriguez with all of the turnover that will take place.

The Mets need to upgrade their left handed reliever spot and if they can't trade him, they should non-tender the 30 year old.