These Four New York Mets Pitchers Could Get Save Chances in 2023
With Edwin Díaz on the shelf for what looks like the entire 2023 season, there are some big shoes to fill out in the bullpen.
While no singular player can fill the void left by Díaz, the team will rely on several players to slot into the closer role for the time being, according to Mets manager Buck Showalter.
Showalter hinted that one pitcher could get a bulk of the save opportunities (David Robertson), but added that right-handers Adam Ottavino and Drew Smith as well as lefty Brooks Raley could get chances to close out games as well.
Robertson, 38 next month, has closed out games at various points throughout his career, including 2022 when he recorded 20 saves.
Between the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies last year, Robertson had a 2.40 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 3.71 xFIP and was worth 0.7 fWAR.
A majority of his closing chances came between 2014-17 with the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox.
Out of the Mets options, he has the most experience at closer, but Ottavino has also shut down games here and there as well.
Ottavino, 37, had a stellar year for the Mets in 2022 working as the setup man for Díaz.
In 66 games, the New York native had a 2.06 ERA, 2.85 FIP, 2.79 xFIP and had 1.1 fWAR.
In his career, Ottavino has logged 33 saves since debuting in 2010.
Smith, 29, appeared in 44 games for the Mets in 2022, but had -0.1 fWAR in 46 innings after starting off the season strong but coming back to earth thereafter.
While he had a career high 10.3 K/9, he also let up nine home runs and walked 15 batters, he does have a live fastball that one has to figure the Mets could see playing in a high leverage role.
Lastly, Raley, 34, only has nine saves in his career, but six of them came last year with the Tampa Bay Rays.
The southpaw had a strong season for Tampa Bay in 2022, as he was worth 0.9 fWAR and had a 2.68 ERA, 2.74 FIP and 3.28 xFIP.
Like his former team the Rays, who utilized a closer by committee situation last year, Raley might be doing the same with New York this season.
It’s good that the Mets have some options to hopefully soften the blow of losing Díaz, and if they can just weather the storm until the trade deadline approaches, they could explore adding another arm into the mix as well for the second half of the season.
Read More:
- Brett Baty, Mark Vientos Will Not Make Opening Day Roster
- Mets Sign Right-Hander Dylan Bundy to Minor League Deal
- Mets Owner Steve Cohen Talks Edwin Diaz Replacement Plan
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