Could Corey Knebel Be Option for New York Mets Bullpen?
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The Mets have endured a slew of injuries to their relief corps this spring, but were hoping to weather the storm, as their key guys remained in tact.
However, with Edwin Díaz slated to miss the entirety of 2023 after suffering a torn patellar tendon in Wednesday's World Baseball Classic match between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, the Mets bullpen has taken a crushing blow.
While no one is going to be able to replace Díaz both from a production standpoint and a teammate perspective, the team must trudge on.
New York will likely look to acquire a high leverage reliever as the season progresses, but in the meantime, the team watched Zack Britton during his showcase at the University of California-Irvine on Thursday.
Another option for the team could be longtime MLB reliever Corey Knebel.
Knebel, 31, spent 2022 with the Philadelphia Phillies, Baseball Reference was higher on him as he logged 0.6 rWAR, with Fangraphs having him at replacement level (0.0 fWAR).
Overall, Knebel had a 3.43 ERA, 4.46 FIP and a 4.85 xFIP with 12 saves in 46 appearances.
The right-hander's best success came as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers in the mid-to-late portion of last decade, highlighted by a 2017 season when he had 2.8 fWAR and a 1.78 ERA in 76 appearances.
Knebel still has some decent stuff that could benefit the Mets bullpen. His fastball velocity and spin ranked in the 80th and 81st percentile respectively this past season according to Baseball Savant, while his curve spin ranked in the 89th percentile.
With Díaz on the shelf for likely the entire season, the Mets should explore acquiring a big bullpen arm if they have a chance, though that will likely happen closer to the trade deadline.
In the meantime, exploring guys like Britton or Knebel could be low-risk, high reward type moves.
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- 'Strong Possibility' That Mets' Brooks Raley Will be Ready for Opening Day
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