Grading the possible return of the Mets free agents

The New York Mets have a multitude of decisions to make concerning their own free agents. This guide is designed to help you cut through all the opinions and get down and dirty in the Citi Field mud.

Group A: Bring back any way you can. (After all, it's only Steve Cohen's money!)

Group B: Only about a 50/50 on their return. (Where have we heard that phrase before?)

Group C: They might be back. They might not. (If you see them at spring training, they're back.)

Group D: Most likely will have a new address next year. (Suggestion, rent don’t buy.)

Group F: Going, going, gone. (No need to leave a forwarding address)

Mets player grades for the upcoming free agents

A: These players would be sorely missed. It must be the team's number one priority to sign them

Edwin Diaz: Has got to return. One of the best relief pitchers in all of baseball. Only 28 years old. Understands New York. Impossible to replace at any price.

Brandon Nimmo: Homegrown talent. Excellent centerfielder/leadoff hitter. Brings far too many Intangibles to the team to list here. A Gamer.

Chris Bassitt: Ran out of gas towards the end of last year. Wants to return. Is looking for multi year contract and it'll probably take a three years/$60M to do so.

B: These players could be back if certain circumstances break their way.

Carlos Carrasco: He has a club option of $14M. Considering how many pitchers are on the Mets' free agent list, that seems like good security

Adam Ottavino: Reliable set up man. Wants to come back, team wants him back, unless his agent asks for the moon.

Have I left anybody out? Oh, yeah…

Jacob deGrom: Claims to be only 50/50 on his return. If you pay him what he wants, which deGrom do you get? The one who was the best pitcher in baseball or the guy who has trouble going six innings?

C: These guys might be back, or not. Some may get a better offer. Others might see greener pastures

Seth Lugo: Usually reliable relief pitcher whose career has many recent ups and downs. Might benefit from a change of scenery

Trevor May: Coming off a two year contract. Iuries marred a disappointing 2022 season. No reason to expect better. Replaceable.

D: This group is part of a crew who almost seems to rotate from team to team each year. Bags are packed, and searching for new possibilities.

Taijuan Walker: Experienced a second half crash for the second season in row. Second half ERA double that of the first half. Wasn't the workhorse the Mets expected. Time to look elsewhere.

Mychal Givens: After a rocky beginning, became an decent middle innings relief pitcher. Replaceable.

Trevor Williams: Long men in the bullpen aren’t usually too hard to find. Probably gone.

F: I thought about merging this into the group above, but fair is fair, or unfair.

Tyler Naquin: After a fast start, came back to earth to hit only .203. At least he's not Darin Ruf. Gone.