The 2026 season will live in infamy for quite some time for the myriad of horrific roster decisions made by David Stearns prior to the season starting, the inertia from April through the trade deadline when the only moves were for a roller coaster of AAAA players in and out of the dugout, then the housecleaning done allegedly to fortify the minor league rosters, followed by the somewhat more successful August and September when the cellar dwellers began to play like mediocrity (a great improvement) finishing the season below .500 but playing close to that level for several weeks.
For a refresher, let’s revisit the great selloff engineered by the front office. The first to fall was starting pitcher David Peterson, then later followed in no particular order the expulsion from the Mets major league roster of starters Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes, then relievers Brooks Rale, Luke Weaver, A.J. Minter and Huascar Brazoban. The only position player to depart was reserve outfielder and free agent to be Tyrone Taylor.
With closer Devin Williams out on the IL the Mets had to jerry-rig a bullpen to close out the season. We’re all well aware of how Kodai Senga was pushed from failed starter into the closer’s role. What we’re not necessarily as clear about is how many others got to take the mound during this difficult period.
Lefty Nate Lavender was particularly impressive, finishing the year with numbers off a fantasy baseball hidden gem highlight reel:
Obviously he has shown he can handle major league hitters and his place in the 2027 bullpen is already written in ink.
Heretofore unknown Daniel Duarte showed the Mets why the Royals snagged him in the minor league draft several years ago. After a brief 2022 trial for the Reds he followed it up with a successful 2023 in which he appeared in 31 games with a 3.69 ERA though control was indeed a problem. Elbow issues curtailed his progress which eventually required surgery after which the Mets signed him to a minor league deal. How did he do in orange and blue?
Those kind of numbers are hard to ignore. If healthy, count on him being a Mets reliever next season.
Another solid reliever coming back from injury was Dedniel Nunez. While his numbers are not quite at the same level as the first two, he certainly didn’t embarrass himself out there.
Chances are he’s on the keep him list for the 2027 bullpen as well.
Throw in the return of Devin Williams to accompany Kodai Senga for late innings as well as these three setup relievers and it would appear the Mets are well on their way to fulfilling a solid bullpen. Others who floated in and out during the year include Justin Hagenman, Cionel Perez, Chayce McDermott, Jefry Yan, Austin Warren, Jonathan Pintaro and Tobias Myers. It would seem they would be fighting for a chance but some outside acquisitions could prove to be better. Tylor Megill is coming back as well and could wind up in the Myers role as long man/spot starter.
I'm writing my yearly analysis right now on the relievers in the chain
ReplyDeleteAgree with Reese
Bullpen has depth though needs LHRP help
Chain offers future help.
Yan was cute but not.much else
Need one talented backend reliever
My opinion? Don’t give up on Yan yet. He’s had a sweet taste of big league money. Riches can focus you. For him, a season in the majors making $800,000 would be riches. He hit 100-101 five times in his Mets debut. 100+ is hard to find in your local grocery store or minor league system.
DeleteI just think Yan is your garden version of a comic relief Mexican jumping bean. He concentrates more on his jumping than hitting the zone. Just too much theatrics and bullshite for me.
DeleteI’d rather have a 101 mph clown over a 93 MPH clean cut normal guy
DeleteMe?
DeleteI'd rather have a 93mph control freak
Do not forget that Reed Garrett is repaired and returning. He was excellent (better than Dedniel) until the elbow barked. He started out in April and May 2025 with 2 earned runs in 25 innings, excellent, after which his barking arm blew up his ERA - until his arm blew up altogether.
ReplyDeleteDavid Peterson is a free agent, but re-signing him would probably bring ire to Mets fans, despite his 4.02 career ERA in CitiField. And it was probably under 3.50 until his late 2025 thru trade in 2026 meltdown in Citi. Only one team can get Skubal.
Owners put a new proposal in front of the players union that includes a return to a 154 game schedule.
ReplyDeleteToo early to be confident about much re: pitching, starters or relievers. On the other hand, the more that is settled at reasonable cost the better. Right now, we have Williams at the back of the bullpen. Senga is potentially a high priced addition to the back end, who may be traded if another team sees his performance when he limits the variety of pitches he throws and thinks they can work out a repetoire that will make him a viable starter on a one year deal.
ReplyDeleteLavender has earned a spot. Tobias is bullpen arm, not a starter. He is potentially a long man and is very versatile. I have doubts about the health of all pitchers who throw over the top, however. Tobias showed the inconsistency often associated with that and had his share of aches and pains. McGil and Garrett return but with what -- remains to be seen. The former cannot perform well with men on base (not good for a reliever -- or starter, which showed up in his having one inning virtually every game in which he could not stop the bleeding). Everything else is open for competition. We need another lefty and we need two other back enders, one lefty, one righty. Andy Green did a great job managing a make-shift bullpen, but let's not overstate the quality of the arms in the bullpen; and we literally have no idea how they would perform in a stressful environment of a pennant race. We have 3, maybe 4 positions at most set, with both quantity and quality issues unresolved