New York Mets: Creating a new trend in bullpen usage

The New York Mets inconsistent bullpen has set them back and kept them from .500 quite a bit in 2019. Is this trend a valid solution to their long-lasting struggles?

With the overall lack of success that the New York Mets bullpen has displayed in 2019 manager Mickey Callaway and the front office has begun to search for alternatives. The first method they are attempting- to some early success- is pushing their starters longer than most analytics would recommend.

The general thought behind analytics is that a starting pitcher begins to falter once he faces the lineup for the third time. They believe in owning an assortment of young, controllable fireballers in the bullpen that can enter directly after any sign of struggle from the starting pitcher arises. When a club has the talent or depth for such a strategy, it can work splendidly- such as with the Astros or Yankees or even the 2015 Royals.

However, the New York Mets do not have these luxuries as their main investment is their starting pitching. Thus, they have come to the conclusion that the starters and not the relievers are the ones that must be leaned upon. They are not being overworked in any regard, yet when an extra inning can be found, it is a matter of great relief to the bullpen.

The Mets bullpen has Seth Lugo and Edwin Diaz as its main cogs, who have proven to be great assets in 2019. However, Jeurys Familia– in his second stint in Flushing- has been decidedly less reliable. Familia’s current ERA and WHIP are 6.29 and 1.73, respectively. In his last two outings, he has appeared to regain his control in a manner that is distinctly visible in opposition to his performances earlier this season.

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Robert Gsellman has been an elite reliever this season when given adequate rest, even lowering his ERA to 2.48. However, since that time he has been asked to work 8 times in 15 days and his numbers have greatly suffered. It is rather clear that the right-handed sinkerballer requires rest for his pitches to be effective or else he need not bother pitch.

As a whole, the rest of the bullpen is unreliable in dire situations and therefore it is logical to extend the pitchers when necessary.

Zack Wheeler has routinely been extended throughout the season, having already posted 81 innings of work. Jason Vargas was pushed to complete the entire game on Wednesday night, as he tossed an impressive shutout.

Jacob deGrom has always been a pitcher that gives it all he can before exiting the game, such is the right of a someone with an ace status. Noah Syndergaard is a player that may benefit from this new approach as his being removed from the game on Tuesday sparked a drastic change in approach by Mickey Callaway.

Having completed six and two-thirds innings, Syndergaard was removed for Lugo, with a runner on first base and Evan Longoria at the plate. Lugo promptly surrendered two straight hits, which evened the game at three aside. Thor was unhappy with the decision due to his continued ability to get stronger as the game wore on- when he was removed he was at his peak performance for that game. The implosion took place in the tenth inning as Gsellman’s lack of rest was put on display for all to see.

The most evident instance of the Mets extending a pitcher further than one would expect was on Saturday night’s 5-3 victory over the Rockies. Steven Matz hurled six excellent innings in which he struck out 10 with a routinely wicked curveball. In order to accomplish this, he threw 120 pitches- a plateau he had not reached since 2016.

Overall, this should be a trend pursued by all major league teams because not everyone has an elite bullpen. Starters should be allowed to work through their struggles and resultantly will prosper.