3 Mets relief pitchers who can establish themselves as long-term options

3) NY Mets pitcher Josh Walker can save his career with a change to the bullpen

Josh Walker has been with the Mets organization since 2017. Although not quite classified as a full-time reliever just yet, he did begin the transition last year and into the Arizona Fall League. This 28-year-old lefty could be a sneaky-good arm for the Mets to turn to at some point this season. The major league bullpen has only one definite lefty in it right now, Brooks Raley. If needed, Walker could become a future option.

Walker ran into a bit of a road block since landing in Triple-A. He struggled as a starter there in 2021. In far fewer opportunities last season, the results weren’t much different. An injury limited him to only 22 innings. He got 9.1 more in the Arizona Fall League which at least showed the Mets have some interest in what he may be able to offer this year.

It’s not unfathomable for Walker to become a viable lefty reliever in the bullpen that eventually stays put. If the team truly does plan to keep David Peterson stretched out, the rest of their options are quite underwhelming.

The only urgency with Walker comes from his Rule 5 Draft eligibility already. All he has to do is pitch well enough for the Mets to add him to their 40-man roster to protect him. If he doesn’t, no one will probably select him anyway.

The Mets have enough other guys who can provide them with starting pitching depth in Triple-A. Make the switch official. See if Walker can fill a different need.