The Metropolitans spent real resources, including prospects and salary, to build an exceptional bullpen this offseason. The Mets’ hopes are championships, and as it stands currently, I believe the Mets have built a championship-level group of relievers. In this article, I will list every reliever that is expected to pitch meaningful outings and tier them based on their current capabilities instead of predictions.
Tier 4: The Nonessentials
These pitchers, I expect to get minutes during the 2023 regular season, but anything over 30 innings pitched would shock me.
Jimmy Yacabonis
The five-year MLB veteran has been hopping around the league ever since he reached the majors, and that will most likely not change as he was signed by the Mets to a minor-league deal on December 1st and assigned to triple-A fourteen days later.
Zach Greene
Greene was a part of the Yankees organization for several years but never found his way to the major league roster. In this past Rule 5 draft, the Mets picked the 26-year-old up through waivers.
Sam Coonrod
The three-year MLB veteran was claimed off waivers from the Phillies on February 6th, where the Southern Illinois University Carbondale alumni had a serviceable 2021 and a lousy 2022.
Tier 3: The Unknowns
These pitchers have several reasons as to why they could or could not have a major impact on the 2023 Mets.
Tommy Hunter
Hunter, one of the longest-tenured relief pitchers currently in the MLB, had some big spots for the Mets during the 2022 season. He filled in for lost innings due to injuries to the likes of Trevor May and others. The Mets resigned the Indiana native to a minor league contract on December 5th of, 2022.
Bryce Montas de Oca
The 26-year-old fireballer showed great stuff in his very short stint with the major league team in 2022, as many Mets fans remember his several 102 mph sinkers. Despite the talent, Montas de Oca has been troubled with command issues his entire career, making him unusable in spots.
Drew Smith
After having an outstanding first few outings with the major league club, Smith had a noticeable decline, as he became known for giving up the long ball. Whether he continues this trend in 2023 or reverses the tide will be a major plotline.
Tier 2: The Setup Men
These guys are the ones handing it off to the maestro of the ninth, but they can also act as the closer if the situation requires it.
Brooks Raley
The 34-year-old southpaw had a resurgence during the 2022 season as he found his stride with the Tampa Bay Rays. Raley spent five years in the KBO, making his return to being a dependable reliever a surprise. The Mets acquired the Texas native via trade for LHP prospect Keyshawn Askew.
David Robertson
Robertson was acquired via free agency by the Mets shortly after the Brandon Nimmo deal was announced, so the move went under the radar. Robertson will play a very important role, as he has the most closing experience out of any member of the Mets bullpen besides Diaz. This will allow Buck Showalter to keep Diaz fresh for the more important games.
Adam Ottavino
The Northeastern University alumni was a top 30 relief pitcher during the 2022 season, in which most of his outings came as the setup man for the club. Ottavino recorded a 2.06 ERA across 65.2 innings pitcher during the campaign, so it is easy to see why fans rejoiced when the team re-signed him.
Tier 1: Edwin Diaz
I thought it was fitting to title this tier after the man himself. Diaz is the best and most electric closer in the major leagues, and after re-signing to a 102 million dollar deal this past fall, he and his trumpets will be in Queens for at least five more years.
