Dream Mets bullpen after the trade deadline

New York Mets v Atlanta Braves
New York Mets v Atlanta Braves / Brett Davis/GettyImages
2 of 3
Next

As the Everly Brothers put it, “Dream, dream, dream, dream…Dream, dream, dream, dream…” In this instance, we’re dreaming about the best bullpen possible for the New York Mets after the trade deadline.

Keeping it in the realm of possibility and not having Justin Verlander as a setup man or calling Jesse Orosco to come out of retirement and come back 36 years younger, this is what a dream Mets bullpen after the trade deadline would look like.

We’ll keep it at eight guys, consider all of the minor league options, and have a little fun adding as much hypothetical talent as we can.

Dream NY Mets bullpen after the trade deadline: Edwin Diaz, closer

There is no reason to remove All-Star Edwin Diaz from his role as the Mets closer. He might, in fact, already be the dream closer for any team. In this case, consider him like one of those dreams that are so real you’re not sure if you actually did get in a fight with your spouse so you’ll treat them poorly the next morning.

Dream NY Mets bullpen after the trade deadline: David Robertson, setup man

In a trade with the Chicago Cubs, the Mets add David Robertson to their bullpen. His role is to provide them with insurance in the ninth whenever Diaz is unavailable. Mostly, he pitches the eighth inning under the bright lights of New York City which we already know he can do.

Dream NY Mets bullpen after the trade deadline: Andrew Chafin, setup man

The left-handed option to help set up for Diaz, a trade with the Detroit Tigers would have to bring Chafin to Flushing. It’s realistic, but maybe not so much if the team guys Robertson. But this is my dream. In it, both of them are in this bullpen after the trade deadline.

Dream NY Mets bullpen after the trade deadline: Seth Lugo, right-handed reliever

Seth Lugo gets a reduced role in the Mets bullpen. Although he does have minor league options and some may want to see him sent to Syracuse, this particular dream scenario has Lugo regaining form, pitching well, and winning back the fans who Taylor Swift sang about: the haters. The Mets could certainly look for an upgrade because of the minor league options he has left. The better story is for him to pitch well and stick around.

Dream NY Mets bullpen after the trade deadline: Adam Ottavino, right-handed reliever

Adam Ottavino stays exactly the same in this dream. He pitched well in relief for the Mets going as deep as the eighth inning and maybe even as early as the fifth. He has quietly put together one of the best seasons of anyone on the roster. Nothing needs to change for him to stay in the fantasy.

Dream NY Mets bullpen after the trade deadline: Trevor May, right-handed reliever

We haven’t seen much of Trevor May this season but hopefully, that changes. May was a decent reliever for the Mets last season. In this dream bullpen after the trade deadline, he’s far better and a productive arm they can turn to on a regular basis.

Dream NY Mets bullpen after the trade deadline: A.J. Puk, left-handed reliever

The Mets do have another left-handed reliever aside from Chafin in this dream. It’s A.J. Puk of the Oakland Athletics. The latest addition to the Mets roster following a trade with Oakland, he is reunited with Chafin, Starling Marte, Mark Canha, and any other 2021 Athletics players I may have missed. Is Frankie Montas on this roster yet? What’s appealing about Puk is how many years of control he has left. There are a lot of holes in this team’s bullpen coming up in the offseason. Puk could help solve one of them.

Dream NY Mets bullpen after the trade deadline: Trevor Williams, long reliever

Is there any better long reliever for the Mets than the guy they already have, Trevor Williams? If he’s around, we know the club has some automatic and quick starting pitching depth. As I rest my eyes and my subconscious puts together the best scenario for the Mets, he’s there.

What happened to Drew Smith, Joely Rodriguez, and everyone else?

What about all of the other guys, you ask? Drew Smith is in Syracuse as a depth piece in case of injury. I suppose in a dream world, there are no injuries. But why do I wake up with bruises sometimes?

Joely Rodriguez would have to be designated for assignment. So would a few other relievers. The Mets definitely have enough right-handed depth within the organization with the team of Yoan Lopez and Adonis Medina around. Add Smith to the mix, this impossible dream bullpen is sure to help carry the team far.

Dream Mets starting lineup after the trade deadline. dark. Next

Next