Reese Kaplan -- 2020 is Yet Another Uncertain Pen

We’re about a week away from baseball returning in whatever they’re calling the 60-game form with various players either volunteering not to participate or who are on the mysterious IL without acknowledging that susceptibility to the illness is the actual reason.  Yep, as the Grateful Dead once sang, what a long strange trip it’s been.

The good news coming out of camp was the report that JacobdeGrom came away with an allegedly clean MRI report not showing any significant issues that contributed to his back stiffness with resulted in his quick departure from his last intrasquad game.  Granted, in a grossly abbreviated season the health of the players is far more important than statistical achievements, but everyone is hoping for a third consecutive piece of hardware for deGrom’s mantle (even though many fans will not count 2020 as a “real” season). 

The last time around I pondered the possibilities of what the team might do if Robinson Cano was not ready for the day-to-day strain of playing second base every day.  Many folks advocate him being a DH but then what do you do with Yoenis Cespedes and Dom Smith and J.D. Davis?  At some point someone has to get on the field, warts and all, and show the defensive side of the game as well.

The biggest question for the team right now appears to be the bullpen.  Granted, Jared Hughes was something of a reclamation project when he was signed, but his career numbers indicate that the former blue chipper should be a part of the regular bullpen.  As a mostly middle reliever he has a career ERA of just 2.88 even with absorbing last year’s 4.04 (which is far superior to some of the regular members of the relief corps last year.

The one guy who was most definitely penciled in for all 60 games was reliever Brad Brach who turned in a decent if not spectacular 2019 season.  His career (including one All Star appearance) has been split between set up and closing.  His career 3.33 ERA is highly respectable and it’s understandable why BVW was willing to take a chance on the inexpensive veteran who has proven more than once what he’s capable of doing. 

If you assume the starting rotation includes Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, Steven Matz, Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha, then it’s really the relievers that are the current uncertainty.  Now with both of the MIA arms listed above, who will the in the bullpen in their place?  

Obviously, some of the names of the pen (health pending) include Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia, Justin Wilson and Seth Lugo.  That’s four.  You’d figure Hunter Strickland is a good bet for a fifth.  If he's healthy, Dellin Betances is number six.  

Then comes the hold-your-breath category of uncertain arms like Robert Gsellman, Stephen Gonsalves, Chasen Shreve, Daniel Zamora, Paul Sewald and Drew Smith.  Then there are the starters-turned-relievers which would mean Walker Lockett, Corey Oswalt and others added to the mix.  Finally, there are a number of lower level minor leaguers or pitchers who are working their way back from injuries that are available but not likely to remain at Citifield.  

It's going to be a season with an awful lot of moving parts, the first of which is the reduction from 30 active players to 28 and then down to 26.  All we can do now is shuffle the deck chairs and hope it doesn’t turn out to be another Titanic.