2 ways the Mets bullpen has gotten better this offseason, 1 way it got worse

The NY Mets bullpen got better by improving the minor league depth

The Mets successfully added a whole bunch of minor league arms this offseason. Through waivers, free agent signings, and a couple of trades, the team now has a bunch of optional options with an opportunity to operate regularly and sway our opinions toward optimism. That’s what the optics say.

Pitching depth continues to grow in its importance. We know it takes more than five starting pitchers to get through a season. Relief pitchers are added to the Opening Day roster with a plan of eventually demoting them in order to get a fresher arm. It’s the way of the game right now.

The Mets have a mix of players like John Curtiss and Stephen Ridings who are coming off of an injury. They’re younger than some of the other journeymen relievers out there, even those Billy Eppler brought into the equation.

Tommy Hunter is back and stashed on the farm with no minor league options left. The team threw a Hail Mary by signing lefty veteran T.J. McFarland. He’ll only have his roster spot glass broken in case of emergency. Maybe they find gold on the other side.

Refusing to settle to have David Peterson or Tylor Megill in the rotation adds even more important depth. While they may not get any relief innings early on, both would be late-season contenders to slot into the bullpen as needed.