Adam Ottavino
Age: 37 (11/22/1985)
B/T: S/R
2022 Traditional Stats: 66 G, 6-3, 65 2/3 IP, 2.06 ERA, .975 WHIP, 79 SO, 16 BB
2022 Advanced Stats: 188 ERA+, 2.85 FIP, 10.8 SO/9, 30.6 SO%, 6.2 BB%, 2.3 bWAR
Rundown
The Brooklyn native was welcomed to Queens for the 2022 season after signing a one-year,$4 million contract before the season. Ottavino played a key role in helping the Mets to achieve their first 100+ win season since 1988. He was the steady bridge to closer Edwin Díaz, setting up a lot of wins for New York. Coming off of back-to-back subpar seasons with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, Ottavino posted the second-best ERA of his 12-year career.
Ottavino’s frisbee-like slider kept opposing hitters off balance at the dish all season. His best stretch of the year came between the beginning of June, up until the end of July. He allowed just two earned runs from June 1 to July 29 in a combined 21 2/3 innings out of the pen. With him and Díaz at the backend of the Mets bullpen, it was seemingly an automatic win when given the lead after seven innings.
Not only was Ottavino effective, he also stayed healthy throughout the year, giving the Mets consistent innings. With the exception of Trevor Williams, who started 9 games this year, Ottavino led the Mets relief pitchers in innings pitched, just edging out Seth Lugo by 2/3 of an inning.
Contract
Although Ottavino will be 37 for the 2023 season, his bounce-back year should get him paid. I wouldn’t expect more than a one or two-year deal for the right-hander, but he should see a nice pay raise from 2022. MLB Trade Rumors suggested a possible two-year, $14 million deal from the team who eventually signs him.
It is known that Billy Eppler and the Mets are still very much active in the reliever market, even after extending Díaz and signing David Robertson to a one-year deal.
Recommendation
Bring him back. While it can be difficult even for MLB executives to predict how a relief pitcher’s season will unfold, Ottavino had a great year and played a vital role in getting the ball into Díaz’s hands with a lead. There’s no promise Ottavino will put up similar numbers in 2023, especially being a year older, but Steve Cohen has already blown through the “Cohen tax” for the upcoming season. The Mets have a championship-ready roster, and all they really need at this point is a backend bullpen arm and another bat on the major league roster.
Of course, there is a chance a team offers Ottavino a multi-year deal. The bullpen market has been costly so far. Former Mets prospect Rafael Montero secured a three-year, $34.5 million deal after a career year with the World Series Champions Houston Astros.
Ottavino announced he will be pitching for Team USA in this year’s World Baseball Classic. In all likelihood, he will be signed sooner rather than later.
