3 Mets roster questions the team failed to address properly

3) NY Mets didn’t do enough to find a lefty reliever solution

Joely Rodriguez has carried the weight of the lefty reliever role on his shoulders all year. He has had company with Chasen Shreve joining him at the beginning of the year. Shreve’s poor performance got him designated for assignment. Rodriguez, probably because he was a trade acquisition, has lasted through and should reach the conclusion of the regular season.

A lefty reliever isn’t as valuable as it used to be due to the three-batter minimum role. Relievers need to be able to retire batters from both sides out. However, especially in the postseason, it wouldn’t be so bad to have a guy to even get one big out to end an inning with a lefty at the plate.

The Mets haven’t even touched making a move to improve their fortunes here. Rodriguez has become more of a regular reliever to pitch mostly in games with a big enough lead or when they’re chasing the opponent. What’s going to happen in the postseason when the opportunity arises to call upon a southpaw to get one big out?

It has become tiring to discuss the lack of a trusted lefty relief pitcher on this team. There were doubts from the start of the year when they didn’t sign a single major free agent or pick anyone up in a trade. Could the Mets really be holding onto hope that Rodriguez figures it out or is there some belief David Peterson or Joey Lucchesi is available in the postseason for the job?

Whatever the thinking was, the lefty reliever spot has been a constant complaint and not one the front office managed to solve.