3 inexperienced Mets pitchers auditioning for a bullpen role in 2023

The New York Mets could have a very different bullpen in 2023. They have multiple free agent relievers. We shouldn’t expect them to retain all of them.

The group includes closer Edwin Diaz, late-inning specialists Seth Lugo and Trevor May, the long man Trevor Williams, and also a couple of guys on newly signed contracts such as Adam Ottavino and Chasen Shreve. It’s a large group which means the team could really benefit from stumbling on some sensational relief options this season.

Luckily for them, a couple of younger and more controllable arms have gotten an opportunity and look like realistic options.

1) NY Mets pitcher Adonis Medina

How did the Mets manage to stumble onto this guy? Once a prized Philadelphia Phillies prospect, they ended up purchasing him away from the Pittsburgh Pirates in early April. Medina has seen some regular action for the Mets already this year. Through his first 6.1 innings of work, he hasn’t allowed a single run and there are only 4 hits against him.

Medina is in an interesting position with the Mets. Will he end up a simple relief pitcher or will they possibly see if he has the stuff to start?

One possibility to consider is for Medina to be a long man. Assuming Williams leaves in free agency over the winter, the Mets will be in the market for a guy in their bullpen to go multiple frames. If you can fill this role with a guy making baseball pennies, the financial books balance a little bit better.

There is a reason as to why the Phillies gave up on Medina and it’s not just competency. His time starting in the minor leagues for them didn’t go all that well. The next step would be to see what he can do as a relief pitcher. Success in 2022 could lead to an Opening Day roster spot in 2023—or at least a greater chance at it in the spring.