New York Mets: The Missed Opportunities

The New York Mets approached a postseason berth in 2019 and some adjustments are required to the entire roster, especially their bullpen. The historically bad 2019 Mets bullpen exhibited new lows after supposed upgrades. Thus the situation must be sorted before the start of 2020.

Several teams have made haste and bolstered their rosters before their main competition could strike. The New York Mets main rivals in 2020 have all improved. While the Nationals may lose Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg, the Braves have already added a significant reliever in Will Smith and a catcher in Travis d’Arnaud.

Seemingly within moments of the offseason commencing, Smith was signed by Atlanta. Just a few short weeks later Drew Pomeranz was signed to a four-year deal by the Padres and Kyle Gibson was inked by the Texas Rangers on the same day.

These are not the only options for the Mets, however, their respective signings represent the dwindling of options and sliming of the market. 2020 is not an offseason with such copious amounts of talents teeming through the offseason reliever market, as was the case in 2019.

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Pomeranz has certain drawbacks, yet he boasts the invaluable ability of versatility. He can work out of the rotation or out of the bullpen, as was the case with the Giants and Brewers in 2019. Smith represented an elite relief option in a somewhat medium market and the Gibson is one of many potential fifth starters for the 2020 Mets.

Rick Porcello is a viable option as he can be had on a short-term deal for a small amount of cash. He has had a mixed amount of success in Detroit and Boston pitching to AL lineups. NL lineups will provide a welcome change and might allow him to bounce-back from his plus-5 ERA in 2019.

The point is that the Mets must act before options such as Porcello disappear and the market either runs dry or diminishes to a point where no bargains remain. If the idea is to procure a solid arm on a one or two-year contract, then why not act quickly?

It would behoove the Mets to act hastily because there is a hole in the rotation, as well as in the bullpen. The relievers are arguably in more dire shape, as Edwin Diaz and Jeurys Familia must return to form if there is any hope for this club.

One other potential name that should be on the Mets radar is Daniel Hudson, an elite-level reliever that has profuse postseason experience after the Nats run in this past postseason. Hudson could provide the Mets with the essential depth when combined with a full rotation – including Porcello or a starter akin to him.

The New York Mets current roster is not necessarily a stable one, yet there is an assortment of highly talented pieces. Therefore, a certain amount of depth is required to appropriately supplement the current players.