New York Mets: Biggest Needs This Offseason

More Reliable Relievers

As I mentioned, a healthier starting rotation will help the New York Mets bullpen. It will allow some of the depth starters to pitch out of the bullpen and a healthier rotation means fewer innings being asked from the bullpen.

However, the Mets need to add to their group of relief pitchers. Outside of Jeurys Familia, AJ Ramos, and Jerry Blevins, New York doesn’t have any other shutdown relievers. Considering Ramos a shutdown reliever is even a stretch after his performance with the Mets in 2017.

Considering Ramos a shutdown reliever is even a stretch after his performance with the Mets in 2017. His pedigree, however, is encouraging.

Paul Sewald had a solid rookie season but I wouldn’t classify him as a shutdown reliever just yet.

Nowadays teams need deep bullpens that can bring out a stud reliever every night. If Familia were to pitch two nights in a row and be unavailable the third night, Ramos would close. If a starter only goes five innings, however, who gets the ball to Ramos? Blevins can’t pitch all three innings.

The New York Mets need to add an arm or two to their bullpen to help out their rotation. We talked about keeping the starters healthy. If Mickey Callaway can trust his bullpen, like he did in Cleveland, he won’t have to push his starters for extra outs.

Keeping the starters healthy helps the bullpen. Adding to the bullpen helps the rotation. The two biggest needs for the New York Mets this offseason will help each other. That’s where Sandy Alderson’s focus should be.