The state of the Mets bullpen

To say the New York Mets 2022 off-season has been an exciting one would be an understatement. From the addition of three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer to the various new offensive faces in Starling Marte, Eduardo Escobar, and Mark Canha, the Mets are gearing up for a thrilling year. Unless, say, the Mets fail to address their needs in the bullpen.

This past season, the Mets relievers were the reason the team had control over the National League East for months on end. The most consistent part of the team, their bullpen finished ninth in earned run average, marking their best finish since 2016. Prior to 2021, the Mets bullpen spent four straight seasons amongst the bottom half of the league in earned run average.

As the Mets aspire to not only win the NL East crown, but the World Series, the team needs to be able to rely on their bullpen to hold down the fort. Especially when it comes time for the playoffs.

Take a moment and recall the Mets 2015 World Series loss to the Kansas City Royals. New York’s bullpen of Jeurys Familia, Addison Reed, Bartolo Colon, and company were simply outclassed. After all, the deciding run in three of their four losses came at the hands of the bullpen.

When taking all of this into consideration, one thing becomes blatantly clear – a dominant group of relievers can unlock a World Series contender. And in order for the Mets to achieve that, they must further evaluate and build up their bullpen. Otherwise, all of this off-season excitement will amass to nothing more than crazy ticket sales and a long 2022 campaign.

Mets have a core four

Luckily, the Mets are not starting their bullpen from scratch (though contractually, they will need to in 2023). New York already has four flamethrowers to call upon, starting with closer Edwin Diaz.

Luckily, the Mets are not starting a bullpen from scratch (though, contractually, they will need to in 2023). New York has four flamethrowers in closer Edwin Diaz and relievers Trevor May, Miguel Castro, and Seth Lugo. All who combined for 242 innings pitched and an earned run average of 3.50.

Certainly, the Mets would love it if these four would replicate their successful 2021 campaigns. It starts with Diaz, who has settled into the New York spotlight after a volatile 2019 season that will be remembered for his 15 home runs allowed and seven blown saves. Since then, Diaz has recorded 38 saves in 48 tries, only having given up five home runs.

But before a game can even get into Diaz’s hands, it is up to the other three to hold down the fort once the starters leave the game. May is coming off of a solid first year in the Big Apple, while Castro had one of the best seasons of his young career.

As for Lugo, it will simply be about staying healthy, after only pitching 46.1 innings in 2021. Lugo has proven in the past he can be a lights-out reliever, having posted a 2.68ERA from 2018-2019. A healthy Lugo is the wild card for the Mets bullpen, as he could be the piece missing to turn the Mets bullpen into a dominant unit.  

That is, assuming the Mets make the necessary additions still needed.

Lack of lefties

This past season, southpaw Aaron Loup was the Mets best reliever – by far. A quiet signing last off-season, Loup pitched in 56.2 innings, recording a career-best 0.95ERA and a WHIP of 0.935. However, Loup went on to leave Queens for the Los Angeles Angels on a two-year deal in free agency.

Thus, leaving the Mets with a glaring need for lefty relievers. Currently, the team has three on the roster in David Peterson, Joey Lucchesi, and Thomas Szapucki. Except, all are starters before relievers, with the latter two coming off season-ending surgeries that leave their Opening Day status in question.

That being said, the Mets desperately need to add some left-handed relievers once the lockout concludes. Maybe they look into re-signing Brad Hand, who dealt a sub-three ERA in 13.1 innings down the stretch. He would also provide an option should Diaz flop, having been a past All-Star closer with Cleveland and San Diego.

Chances are Owner Steve Cohen will dive back into his checkbook and scour what remains of the free agent market. Veterans like Andrew Chafin, Tony Watson, Jake Diekman, or a reunion with Chasen Shreve are solid options to fix this issue.

Either way, the fact the Mets do not have an established left-handed reliever currently on the active roster is a major problem. Even with the minimum three-batter rule, southpaws remain an integral part of any bullpen’s success. If the Mets wish to be legitimate threats for the World Series, adding an efficient lefty to the roster is an absolute must once the lockout ends.