3 reasons why testing Tylor Megill in the closer role doesn't fit right now

The New York Mets are at a crossroads with the bullpen. The recent failures of Edwin Diaz have fans wondering who they’ll turn to. One bold option would be to test Tylor Megill in the role.

Where is this coming from? Let's begin with the bloodline.

Mama Megill didn’t intentionally try to suggest the Mets do the same with another son. Credit the incomparable and often brutally honest (funny, too) John Mincone with putting it out into the universe.

Tylor’s brother, Trevor, has stepped up huge for the Milwaukee Brewers. In a year where both Diaz brothers have struggled (Alexis has been somehow worse for the Cincinnati Reds), a Hail Mary thought would be for the Mets to try replicating Trevor’s success in Queens. More fleeting than a hotly-contested debate at the moment, the case for it is understandable from a standpoint of his inconsistency as a starter, the likelihood of his velocity increasing to where it used to be in shorter role, and other typical expectations when a starter goes from throwing 80+ pitches a night to something like 15-20.

A button to push in the future, now is not the time. These three reasons are getting in the way of the Megill brothers becoming the new Diaz siblings.

1) The Mets have proven options already on the team

If the Mets had no other choices, sure. Go for it. Throw a Hail Mary. But they do have other options. Plenty of fine relievers having good years and with a track record of success as the closer, they need to hold true to Steve Cohen’s past words about not wanting people to learn on the job.

This isn’t Megill just shifting to a relief role which would be a newer experience in itself. He’d be the last line of defense. It’s a big change and not one the Mets can afford to go sideways.

2) The Mets need the starting pitching and Tylor Megill as an option right now

Starting pitching depth is a strength of the Mets but maybe only in quantity. Megill alongside the likes of David Peterson, Joey Lucchesi, Jose Butto, and Max Kranick make up a decent foursome of players you hope to never actually see start for your team. The more any of them are on the roster, the more problems your planned starting rotation likely has.

With Adrian Houser facing a possible dismissal into DFA purgatory, the Mets will be down one more arm. Questions about how far they’ll push Christian Scott and even the reliability of many of the starting pitchers from their health to ability, the team can ill-afford to lose what Megill has to offer unless they’re sure he isn’t useful as a starter any longer. If reduced to pitching as a reliever, he might not be available to start again this season.

3) The Mets roster doesn’t allow them to carry another optional reliever

As currently constructed, the Mets roster doesn’t have much wiggle room. They’ve been able to carry two optional relievers recently but only because Houser has been temporarily moved back to the rotation. Swap one of those relief spots for Megill in a more permanent closer role and they’re back down to one roster spot they can option to the minor leagues. Oh, and this doesn’t even consider the return of Drew Smith which could happen soon. He’d take up one of those optional spots.

A demotion for Megill to a relief role is one scenario to get the most out of him that fans have pondered for a few years now. However, as a quick solution to what’s plaguing the Mets in the ninth inning, too much is working against this.

The Mets didn't pounce on this thought. Megill is slated to pitch for the team on Monday in the opener versus the Cleveland Guardians. If all goes well, he'll have a chance to stick around the next time through. Too many negatives and he'll reacquaint himself with Syracuse instead.