4 options for Mets to fill Díaz-sized hole in bullpen
The gorgeous damage leaves the Mets with an enormous gap within the bullpen, the place the membership was relying on Díaz to lock down the nearer’s spot after he signed a five-year, $102 million deal this offseason.
“It’s a big blow, but the Mets have some arms that can pick up the slack,” one National League govt mentioned. “They might make an addition or two prior to the season, but if they need to bolster the bullpen this summer, they should be able to. There are always relievers available around the deadline.”
How would possibly the Mets tackle the lack of their All-Star nearer? Here are some choices to contemplate:
1. Make David Robertson the nearer
No matter what different transfer(s) the Mets determine to make, this one looks like the primary domino to fall. Robertson has probably the most closing expertise on the employees, amassing 157 profession saves throughout his 14-year profession.
The right-handed Robertson, who turns 38 subsequent month, had 20 saves with the Cubs and Phillies final season and is able to dealing with ninth-inning duties so long as he stays wholesome. He’s additionally dealt with the stress of New York, pitching the primary seven seasons of his profession with the Yankees earlier than returning to the Bronx in 2017-18.
Assuming Robertson slides into the nearer’s function, the remainder of the aid corps theoretically strikes up one rung on the bullpen ladder. That means Adam Ottavino and Drew Smith develop into the Mets’ major setup males, with Brooks Raley becoming a member of the group as soon as his hamstring damage is behind him.
But if the Mets are involved that their group minus Díaz isn’t deep sufficient, they will at all times add an arm from the remaining free-agent market.
That market is headlined by Zack Britton, who has held just a few exercises for groups this offseason, and the left-hander was reportedly set to take action once more on Thursday in California. Britton made solely three appearances in 2022 after present process Tommy John surgical procedure in September 2021, however he’s wholesome now and searching for a job.
The Mets had curiosity in Britton previous to Díaz’s damage, so in the event that they like what they see in his newest showcase, he may very well be signed to provide New York one other arm with late-inning expertise. Don’t undersell Britton’s relationship with Mets supervisor Buck Showalter, who was an enormous fan of the southpaw throughout their time collectively in Baltimore.
Other out there relievers embrace Corey Knebel, Archie Bradley, Mike Minor and Ken Giles.
4. Explore the commerce market
Finding a dependable reliever in a commerce this near the season feels unrealistic, although the Mets have the prospects to make use of in the event that they really feel the necessity to add an enormous arm previous to Opening Day.
That mentioned, though basic supervisor Billy Eppler will possible name round to see if any rebuilding groups are keen to half with a reliever earning money (or set to take action in arbitration/free company subsequent offseason), the extra possible situation is the Mets ready till the summer season to execute such a commerce.
By July, groups which can be seemingly out of the race shall be buying quite a few relievers, as a result of that’s what occurs yearly. Perhaps the Red Sox shall be keen to half with Kenley Jansen, or the Pirates with David Bednar.
Last summer season, we noticed relievers together with Robertson, Josh Hader, Raisel Iglesias, Jorge López, Michael Fulmer, Will Smith, Trevor Rosenthal, Scott Effross, Mychal Givens, Jake Diekman and Anthony Bass all moved previous to the Trade Deadline. If the Mets want a bullpen arm or two come July, there must be a lot there for the taking.
