PIITB By JD- Mets Updates
After weeks with absolutely nothing, we finally have a little news coming from the Mets. With all of free agency stalled, we have not seen much movement from anyone, but the Mets have made a couple moves recently.
Mets bring back Adam Ottavino on a 1 year, 4.5 million dollar contract. This is not the sexiest move, as Otto has been a Met the last couple years and struggled last year. If you recall, Otto declined his 6.5 million player option hoping for more money on the open market, but ended up back with the Mets for less. Otto’s walks were up and strikeouts were down last year, but was effective in low leverage situations. When he loses control of that ever changing slider, it is scary to watch him go out there. However, this move is a good depth one.
It was reported today that the Mets expect to sign left-hander, Jake Diekman. Diekman is a hard throwing lefty that owns a career 3.82 era and is coming off a 3.21 FIP with the White Sox and Rays. His major and I mean MAJOR thorn is his walk rate. He averaged 6 walks per 9 this year which is hard to watch. He is extremely effective in general and has a knack for getting himself out of jams he creates. He will pair with Brooks Raley as a great 1-2 lefty punch in the pen.
As it stands today the Mets pen is mainly comprised of:
Edwin Diaz
Brooks Raley
Jake Diekman
Adam Ottavino
Drew Smith
Jorge Lopez
While it is still lacking a true setup man behind Diaz, this pen has good depth. All these guys can be trusted with the 6th and 7th innings with little worry. The 8th is going to be an issue. We know Raley and Otto don’t really pitch back to back days anymore which means the Mets will be relying on Diekman and Smith to pickup the 8th more often than I would like.
I have a feeling the Mets are done adding major pieces to the bullpen and this roster in general. As I have stated in the past, I would love for the Mets to go get a full time DH (Soler or JD Martinez). That is looking less and less likely as it feels as though Stearns wants to give Vientos 400+ abs at the DH position and see what Baty can bring as well. I am not opposed to letting Vientos figure it out, but this offense is meaningfully worse without a true DH.
Check back in for an offseason review next week. I hope there will be another move to report on, but don’t count on it.
Vientos is a key,a lot is riding on him. If he can be a legit DH,bat fifth,hit 20+ HRs the offense is good. The Ks worry me.
ReplyDeleteIf Vientos gets 500 at bats, 30 HRs are a real possibility
ReplyDeleteThat salary overhang from Scherzer, Verlander and McCann is DE FACTO having a large negative impact this off season. Hopefully, Gilbert, Clifford and Acuna make those deals worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteI worry about Ottavino. He lost the ability to control his sweeper last year and that led to the high WHIP. When you are ahead in the count, you can lay off the sweeper, so it is not helping him get strikes. $4.5M is less than last year but still a lot to pay for someone with a high WHIP. Can the Mets' coaching staff fix that? Soon to see.
ReplyDeleteDon’t forget MeGill. If he isn’t the #2 starter he could be the setup guy for Diaz.
ReplyDelete