Scott’s opposite number in this game was Mitch Keller (10-5, 3.43 ERA), who has always given the Mets fits, entering Monday’s action with a 1.89 ERA in three starts against them. It was more of the same on Monday, as Keller allowed just two runs in eight innings pitched.

Both pitchers were extremely efficient early in the game. Keller needed 27 pitches to get through the first three innings, while Scott threw 32. Scott arguably outpitched Keller through three innings, with Keller needing impressive defense to keep runs off the board, while Scott didn’t allow a baserunner before recording his first nine outs.

It was a different story in the fourth inning, though, when Scott allowed a leadoff walk to Andrew McCutchen before Oneil Cruz blasted an opposite-field, two-run homer to put the Pirates in front 2-0. The Mets’ young rookie limited the damage by completing the rest of the inning, but the damage was done.

Cruz’s home run was the only blemish allowed by Scott, whose day ended after 5 2/3 innings and 77 pitches. Scott allowed just one hit, one walk and two earned runs while striking out three. His ERA through seven career starts is now 4.15.

Mitch Keller kept rolling through the Mets’ lineup until the sixth inning when he experienced a near-identical inning to Scott’s fourth inning. Keller allowed a leadoff baserunner and then a two-run homer to Brandon Nimmo, who swung on a 3-0 count at a cutter down the middle. Like Scott, Keller was also able to limit the damage, but just like that, it was a new game.

Jul 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets pitcher Eric Orze (53) warms up before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Following Scott’s departure, Eric Orze entered the game from the bullpen to make his major league debut. The 26-year-old draft pick from 2020 entered the sixth inning with two outs and nobody on but subsequently allowed a walk, a single, and then an infield single to put the Pirates right back in front 3-2. Those three batters were all Orze would get, making way for Adrian Houser.

Houser didn’t have any more luck, as he allowed a double, a wild pitch, and a home run to tack on four more runs in what turned out to be a nightmare inning. Scott was almost certainly on a pitch count, but his removal from the game with two outs and nobody on turned out to be a game-losing decision. When the inning was all said and done, Orze was charged with three runs while recording no outs, and Houser was charged with two runs in one-third of an inning.

Houser remained on through the eighth inning and allowed another run to put the Pirates ahead 8-2. In all, Houser allowed three runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings to raise his ERA from 5.43 to 5.65.

The Mets recorded a hit in the ninth inning but otherwise showed little fight against Brent Honeywell Jr. That secured them an 8-2 loss in what was yet another loss as a direct result of the bullpen. The Mets are back below .500 at 44-45 and return home after a 4-4 road trip.

Statistic of the Game: 3-0 Swinging

Brandon Nimmo’s home run on a 3-0 pitch in the sixth inning was the first time in his career that Nimmo put a ball in play in that count. Nimmo is known for his patience at the plate and his ability to record walks, but he picked the perfect spot to swing 3-0. A cutter right down the middle turned a 2-0 Mets deficit into a 2-2 tie game.

Player of the Game

Like his last start, Christian Scott had a great start except for one pitch. His home run to Oneil Cruz was the only hit allowed, and even though it was costly, it shouldn’t overshadow an otherwise brilliant performance. Scott was perfect through three innings and retired seven straight to finish his outing. His 4.15 ERA doesn’t reflect how great he’s been, but when he’s pitched, he’s been very effective.

On Deck

The Mets travel home to start another series with the Nationals on Tuesday. Jose Quintana (3-5, 4.22) will be on the mound for New York, while Washington will send out Jake Irvin (7-6, 2.80). It’s a rematch of the July 4 matchup when the Nationals won 1-0 on a Jesse Winker solo shot in the eighth. Quintana threw seven shutout innings and looked elite, but Irvin looked like a true ace with eight shutout innings and one hit allowed.

The game will air on SNY, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.

The post Latest Bullpen Implosion Leads to Disheartening Loss vs. Pirates appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Mets’ star shortstop Francisco Lindor is in the midst of a terrific year and he furthered that in the team’s series win over the Dodgers at Citi Field this week. Lindor was on base seven times and made several fine defensive plays as the Mets won two of three from the best team in Major League Baseball.

In the series win vs the Dodgers, Lindor went 5-for-10 with a walk, HBP, and a key stolen base that led to a run on Thursday. Lindor hasn’t been a stranger to coming up big in important series this year for the Mets. He was on base 16 times and knocked in four runs in the nine games the Mets played Atlanta last month and overall this season he has a .814 OPS with runners in scoring position.

Lindor, 28 is having his best offensive season since 2018 when he was an All-Star in finished in the Top 10 of MVP voting. He’s hitting .269/.346/.445 with 18 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs, 86 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases. His 127 wRC+ created is the highest since the aforementioned 2018 season and his 5.6 fWAR in 131 games this season has already topped the 4.2 fWAR he contributed to the Mets in 2021.

Don’t forget the spectacular defense, Lindor is third among MLB shortstop with nine outs above average this season and is in the 97th percentile for OAA.

Not only has Lindor been the Mets’ best player, but he’s been one of the best players in baseball this season with his 5.6 fWAR tying former teammate José Ramírez for seventh among position players. The most valuable shortstop in baseball this year you asked? Yup, that’s Francisco Lindor of the Mets with Dansby Swanson currently in second at 5.3 fWAR.

In just the first year of his extension with the Mets, Lindor has proved to be everything that the Mets and their fans could ask for.

The post Lindor Comes Up Big in Dodgers Series appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

On this date in 1962, the Mets signed 17-year-old Ed Kranepool. He would make his Major League debut later that year at 17 years and 318 days old.

Kranepool, 75, recently battled renal disease and had a successful life-saving kidney transplant.

Eddie was on a waiting list for two years before he finally found a donor who was a perfect match, Deborah Barbieri, a 56 year old Mets fan from Nassau County.

Barbieri’s husband had also undergone a successful kidney transplant and they both wanted to “pay it forward.” Eddie’s wife Monica, who had been hoping and praying for a donor for two years, called the transplant “a miracle.”

Kranepool was signed by the Mets in 1962 as a wide-eyed 17 year-old from the Bronx, and over a 18 year span, he would play a franchise record 1,853 games for the Mets. He became very close with then manager Casey Stengel who became sort of a father figure for Eddie.

Casey, who could rival Yogi Berra with his quick wit and oftentimes amusing quips, once had this to say about his youngster Eddie Kranepool…

“We’ve got a couple of kids here named Kranepool and Goossen, and they’re both 20 years old. In 10 years Kranepool has a chance to be a star. In 10 years Goossen has a chance to be 30.”

I became a huge Eddie Kranepool fan towards the end of his career in the mid-seventies. By then, Eddie was limited to a bench role and was the team’s top pinch-hitter – and what a pinch-hitter he was.

I recall one particular game I attended during the summer of 1974, when the Mets were hosting our latest arch-rival, the Cincinnati Reds. I remember it like it was yesterday. Tom Seaver was on the mound for the Mets but he wasn’t his usual dominant self and the team was down  3-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh.

With a somewhat packed house, the fans were clamoring for some offense as the Mets were running out of outs. Manager Yogi Berra could be seen patting Seaver on the back as Ed Kranepool grabbed a bat and stepped to the plate as the chants of “Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!” rained down from a boisterous crowd hoping for a big hit. I still get goosebumps whenever I think about it.

Almost as if on cue, Kranepool lined a two-out single that sparked a two-run rally that would eventually end on a towering home run by The Hammer – John Milner for you unwashed younger Met fans. Shea Stadium shook to it’s foundation as the crowd, delirious with satisfaction, were up on their feet cheering at the top of their lungs as the entire stadium resonated with bursts of, “Lets Go Mets! Lets Go Mets.” It was awesome.

Of course, what I didn’t know then, was that Ed Kranepool would go on to become one of the most preeminent pinch-hitters in the history of the game, and to this day, he still holds the record for the highest pinch-hitting batting average in a season, .486 in 1974 (min 30 PA).

Ed Kranepool wasn’t a big-time bat, as his career .693 OPS would attest, but if ever there was a shining example of a clutch hitter – Eddie was it. He was also an integral part of that 1969 Miracle Mets team, rising to the occasion whenever the game was on the line in that magical season.

In 48 plate appearances with two outs and runners in scoring position, Kranepool batted an incredible .342 in 1969, with a .479 on-base percentage, and a .953 OPS in 1969, with four walk-off hits.

Ed Kranepool has earned his place in Mets royalty, and it’s not because he played for them longer than any other player. Eddie was as clutch as they came, but he was also one of the classiest players ever to wear the Orange and Blue and a true fan favorite. He remains of the true great ambassadors the Mets have ever had.

The post On This Date: Mets Sign 17-Year-Old Ed Kranepool appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

What are we doing to fill this baseball void that is now in our lives? Well, we’re trying lots of different things to try and help. It’s not the same, I know, but we need to try and get our baseball fix somehow. And what better way to do that than by watching baseball movies?

What is your favorite baseball movie? The MMO team is sharing theirs (and some other recommendations!) below. This is the perfect time to re-watch your favorite or watch that baseball movie you pretend you have seen but have not really watched yet (we all have one of those, you’re not alone).

So, are you watching any of our favorites?

Marissa

I’m going to say my favorite baseball movie is The Sandlot, mainly because it’s the one I’ve seen the most. I’m going to (embarrassingly) admit I haven’t watched as many baseball movies as I would like. I guess now is a better time than ever to watch them all!

Laney

Baseball movies are truly one of God’s most precious gifts to mankind. There’s classics, busts, tear-jerkers, and knee slappers but to me, nothing compares to Major League. It’s the perfect mix of funny and inspirational and as a Mets fan, I love a good underdog story. I will admit that my biggest flaw as a human being is the fact that I have not seen A League of Their Own. As a woman who loves baseball I know it should be an essential but please don’t stone me or banish me to the bullpen! Maybe during this corona quarantine I’ll finally learn why there’s no crying in baseball.

Rob

My favorite baseball movie is really anything Kevin Costner is in. If I’m ever in a melancholy mood, Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, and For Love of the Game all satiate my filling for one reason or another.

Jack

I really loved Little Big League when I was growing up and first getting into baseball. The premise of a 10-year old managing a major league team always felt more realistic than any Rookie of the Year-type fantasy of a kid playing on the same field as hardened athletes, but they took it a step further with the attention to detail. Leon Durham made a cameo as the Twins’ first baseman, prime Randy Johnson and Ken Griffey both made extended appearances in a climactic playoff game.

The writers really committed to the little things that so often push the sport over the edge, and they threaded it through a narrative that any kid could learn enough about baseball just by watching. Also, the Metrodome is criminally overlooked in the conversation about scenic ballparks.

Sam 

Moneyball is my favorite baseball movie! I will admit I honestly haven’t watched enough baseball movies to claim this one as/the one, but I know that this movie gives me that warm fuzzy feeling. You know when you’re at a game and your team is down but you know their potential can push them over and you just believe? That’s what I get from this movie.

The movie really just teaches you a lot about the sabermetrics behind baseball, which we can all use a good lesson on every so often, and that feeling that you want this team to do well. It gives you that rooting for the underdog feeling we all know too well as Mets fans. Although, the end really wasn’t the end you want, you just discover this whole new love for baseball. And how can you not be romantic about baseball?

Lindsay

My favorite baseball movie has to be Fever Pitch (simply because of my unexplainable and undying love for Jimmy Fallon). I also adore The Sandlot, of course, for the nostalgia!

Sal

If we’re talking favorite baseball movies then we have to start with my personal favorite, The Sandlot. To me it’s a great example of what it was like growing in a time when baseball truly was America’s past time. Another favorite of mine is The Natural. The movie does an amazing job of using baseball to showcase the power of perseverance and passion to be great at something.

Mojo

My favorite baseball movie and third favorite movie of all time is definitely Moneyball. From the historical context of changing the way we think about the game, to the tremendous performances by Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, it’s hard to imagine a baseball movie being any more perfect.

Honorable mentions to A League of Their Own, 42, and Bull Durham, which are among my favorites as well. Admittedly, there are still some classic baseball movies I haven’t seen (at least not in full length) such as The Sandlot and Field of Dreams. I definitely will get around to it at some point, though I doubt I will ever enjoy a baseball movie more than I enjoyed Moneyball.

Michelle

I know I should probably say a classic like A League of Their Own, The Sandlot, or Field of Dreams. But in reality, my favorite baseball movie that I can watch again and again and again is Major League. Is it because I’m a Mets fan and used to being the underdog and hope that one day the Mets can turn it around and win it all like Cleveland Indians did in the movie? Maybe. Is it because I enjoy singing along to Wild Thing? Maybe. It’s just such a funny movie with a plot that shows you that now matter how behind you are, you can make it to the top (and have lots of laughs and fun along the way).

Two movies that I plan on watching during this quarantine? Moneyball and Bull Durham. Both of those movies are ones I have yet to watch straight through – somehow I only catch bits and pieces anytime it’s one.

Mike

I have a really heard time narrowing this down, when I was younger both The Sandlot and Little Big Leagues were my go-tos. If I’m just looking for a funny movie that’s baseball related I always go to Major League. When I’m simply missing baseball in-general I watch Moneyball and/or The Natural.

I had a span where I went back-and-forth between watching 61 and Eight Men Out. 42 is an easy re-watchable movie for me that I find myself watching frequently. My two guilty pleasure baseball movies are Hardball (still sad about G-Baby) and Trouble with the Curve (JT and Eastwood, enough said).

I know I’ve already rambled on, but two of my favorite things to watch baseball related outside of games are two documentaries; The Battered Bastards of Baseball and Knuckleball! (Bonus points to Frequency for including the 1969 World Series.)

What baseball movies are you watching? Tweet us at Metsmerized and let us know! 

The post MMO Roundtable: Which Baseball Movies Are Your Favorites? appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Primary Position: Center Fielder

Bat/Throw: R/R

Age: 25 (December 15, 1994)

Acquired: Minor League contract signed on 1/9/2020

When it comes to non-roster invitees, there are some names that people will know. For example, Matt Adams and Chasen Shreve are players who have had Major League success, and are looking for a second chance. But for Johneshwy Fargas, it’s to create a name for himself at the highest level of professional baseball.

In 2011, Fargas was drafted in the 11th round by the San Francisco Giants out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy. Although he’s only 25, he has a lot of minor league experience, as he was drafted at just 18-years-old.

After spending his first few seasons as a platoon player in Low-A Salem-Keizer, Fargas made his presence known in 2015, earning his first starting spot. In 410 at-bats, he hit .278 with two home runs and 35 RBI with a .347 OBP, numbers that may not seem flashy, but what stood out the most is that he could steal bases. On 78 attempts, he stole 59 bags, a number that was far and away the most in the South Atlantic League for that season. In the field, he spent 848 innings in the outfield, 820 of those as their center fielder.

Over the next few seasons, the 180-pound speedy outfielder split his time between both levels of single-A. In 2019, he got his first opportunity to play in double-A. He hit .249/.325/.334 with five homers and 33 RBI. The speed did not go away either, as he snagged 50 bags, while getting caught 23 times.

Key Numbers

As mentioned, Fargas can run. Over his six seasons of affiliated baseball, he has stolen 237 bases.

2020 Outlook

Although certain areas of his game are impressive, at 25 years-old, time is running out to prove himself. Even with his stolen base numbers being so high, he struggles to get on base. It is fantastic to have someone who can run like that, but a la Billy Hamilton, you have to get on base in order to run. 

The Mets outfield depth at the Major League level is pretty much set in stone. With a mixture of J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, Jake Marisnick, Yoenis Cespedes, and Jeff McNeil potentially patrolling the outfield at different times this upcoming season, Fargas could open some eyes during his time with the big club in Port St. Lucie to find himself an every-day role in Syracuse.

The post Getting to Know Spring Training Invitee, Outfielder Johneshwy Fargas appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

RHP Rob Whalen has come out of retirement and has returned to the Mets organization on a minor league deal.

Whalen, 25, was drafted by the Mets in the 12th round of the 2012 draft. In 2015, he was traded along with John Gant in exchange for Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson.

Whalen made a total of eight major league relief appearances over a three year time period from 2016-18.

The former Met had stepped away from baseball during the 2017 season, and he retired after the 2018 season. After being away for the year, he began to work out with Top Level Athletes in an attempt to return.

While there, he worked with Jon Updike, the former Mets scout who left the organization to work with Baseball Cloud.

The right-hander now returns to the Mets organization where his professional baseball career began. Anecdotally, much like Brad Brach, Whalen is a reliever who grew up a Mets fan and is returning to the team for the 2020 season.

The post Rob Whalen Returns to Mets on Minor League Deal appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Good morning, Mets fans! Here’s the lowdown on what’s going on with the Mets and the rest of the baseball world this Sunday.

Latest Mets News

Dusty Baker is said to be in the mix to fill the Mets’ manager position.

Joe Panik has signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Latest MLB News

On Saturday, CBS Sports reported that Major League baseball and the MLB Players Association have denied recent allegations that Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout has permission to use HGH for medical reasons.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Houston Astros will conduct an interview with Dusty Baker next week in order to potentially fill their managerial opening.

Also from Jon Morosi of MLB Network: Carlos Gomez will reportedly retire after the final game of the Aguilas Cibaenas’ season. However, the Dominican Republic baseball federation is said to be interested in convincing Gomez to play in the Olympic qualifier in March before hanging up his cleats.

Latest NL East News

If you missed it yesterday, David O’Brien of The Athletic highlighted the one hole left in the Atlanta Braves’ roster for 2020.

Latest on MMO

Jacob Resnick details exactly what the new Statcast tool, Infield Outs Above Average (OAA), tells us about the Mets’ defense.

Tim Ryder keeps it real, as he writes that the Mets need to officially turn the page and move on from last week.

There are four aspects to Noah Syndergaard‘s game that will make or break his 2020 season, says Matt Musico.

Pat Ragazzo went one-on-one with former Mets’ first baseman James Loney, discussing topics ranging from the sign-stealing scandal to Carlos Beltran‘s recent departure from the Mets.

This Day in Mets History

1972: Yogi Berra is elected to the Major League Baseball Hall-of-Fame.

Birthdays: Jon Matlack turns 70.

The post Morning Briefing: MLB, MLBPA Shut Down Mike Trout HGH Allegations appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Former big-league first basemen James Loney spent 11 seasons in the majors from 2006-2016 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays, and New York Mets.

Loney stepped in for an injured Lucas Duda in 2016 and helped the Mets reach the Wild Card that year playing in 100 games and slashing .265/.307/.397. His last appearance in the majors came with the Mets on October 2, 2016, when the team fell to the San Francisco Giants in the Wild Card pitcher’s duel between Madison Bumgarner and Noah Syndergaard.

Metsmerized caught up with Loney on Friday to discuss the electronic sign-stealing scandal in the wake of the Mets “mutually parting ways,” with first-year manager Carlos Beltran as a result of being named in the fallout as a player on the 2017 Houston Astros.

“I’ve never been a part of or seen a technology scheme up close in baseball,” Loney noted. “As players, when a guy gets on second base, they are always trying to relay signs to the hitter. Reading catchers body language and knowing how they call the games is a big part of it too,” said Loney, who claims this type of technology utilization was not an open forum during his era.

“Guys are always trying to get an edge and technology makes it a lot easier,” he added.

“Whose risking their jobs to have an extra camera or implement other forms of technology? It’s a scary thought because you wonder where teams draw the line,” said Loney.

“The rumors make it even worse not knowing the facts. It makes everyone go crazy accusing players of what’s on their bodies. We need to reserve ourselves until there’s proof.”

“There are recovery patches guys where now. The confetti on Josh Reddick was being looked at by conspiracists as a wire. People get into conspiracies. It’s always left open until the investigations are done.”

“They’re doing their due diligence in trying to dig up the facts. They should put the buzzer allegations to rest since they couldn’t find evidence,” said Loney commenting on video clips of the Astros allegedly wearing buzzers on their uniforms to relay signs.

There was also a mysterious Twitter account claiming to be Carlos Beltran’s niece, who was stirring up trouble accusing Astros players Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman of wearing wires during games. The Beltran family has since denied any relation to this account posing as a relative despite his/her accurate knowledge involving the exact timeline of the beginning and end of Beltran’s tenure as Mets manager.

“Carlos Beltran’s niece burner account sounds fishy. I could see that more of being a player, not a relative,” said Loney who agreed with Metsmerized that the account was making claims that only a player could know.

The third-base coach from Loney’s NL West rival San Francisco Giants in Tim Flannery was very vocal about the cheating scandal on Friday claiming that teams have been trying to use cameras to steal signs since the ’80s including Bobby Valentine’s Mets from 1996-2002.

Flannery served as a third-base coach under Bruce Bochy from 2007-2014 helping the team win three World Series titles in his time there. Flanery also spent 11 seasons with the San Diego Padres as a player before serving as a coach for 15 years in the majors.

“Guys have always tried to find a way to get signs. They’re trying to prove your signs aren’t complex enough. So we are trying to make them change it up and the opponent has to figure them out to beat the other team. Whether it’s a camera on the third base coach, or even watching coaches with your eyes. You can have people watching for you from some stories I heard (from a video room),” said Loney in response to these claims of normality by Flannery.

“I could see more names coming out (in this scandal) just because as a player what do you do if your club has this system in place? You’re not going to refuse to implement the system, you’re trying to win the game. As a player at the time, Beltran wasn’t the only one doing it just because he was named.”

“I’m assuming the Mets ultimately decided to let him go because they didn’t want the backlash after he was named in the report. Or if something worse came out later. I felt they could’ve waited a little longer (in making their decision.”

Loney was also asked if Mets ownership and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen were truthful during their conference call on Thursday when claiming they never spoke with Beltran during Major League baseball’s investigation on the matter.

“I would take their word on that. They aren’t going to go off some story or rumor they heard without the facts,” he said. “They were just waiting on Major League baseball I guess they didn’t feel the need to do their own investigation. I would think if there’s not clear evidence they aren’t going to speculate just based off rumors.”

Loney spoke on the possibility of the Mets bringing back his former manager with the Amazins’ Terry Collins.

“Terry was great I knew him since his time with the Dodgers before playing with him in New York in 2016. He’s great for the city of New York,” he noted. “He was a fiery, energetic, standup guy. I could see him managing the Mets again. He worked his butt off to get where he was at. Coached forever. He was grateful to be in that position.”

With spring training only a few weeks away, Loney doesn’t feel it is too late for the Mets to go outside the organization by hiring an external candidate.

“I don’t think an external candidate is unrealistic at this point. They still have time to get in here before spring training.”

Loney has not played professional baseball since 2017 and coming up on age-36, he is set to start his first season in the player operations department with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“I’m working with the Diamondbacks in player operations as a player mentor/coach. I’m going to be helping out the younger guys and the veterans as an all-around reference giving them feedback,” said Loney “I did a little broadcasting on TV in LA last year, but I really am more interested in being around a team and helping develop young players with the goal of eventually taking over the NL West.”

Right now, Loney doesn’t see himself as a future manager. He says he likes being an advisor and primarily focusing on the minor leaguers and their development.

“I might get goosebumps when I get out there (to spring training),” joked Loney as it will be his first spring training where he hasn’t shown up as a player.

“As for the Mets, I really enjoyed my time there. Their fans are great, and I feel like they’re ready to compete based off what they did last year.”

Loney retired with a career bWAR of 12.1, 1,425 hits, and a lifetime slash line of .284/.336/.410 with 108 home runs and 669 RBI in 1,443 games.

The post MMO Exclusive Interview: Former Mets’ 1B, James Loney appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Just look at the names: Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia, Seth Lugo and now Dellin Betances. This is a group of men who are the envy of each and every MLB team, and when you break it down, it has the potential of being an all-time great bullpen.

In 2018, Diaz was as dominant as we have seen any reliever in baseball history be. In 73 appearances, the right-hander recorded a MLB leading 57 saves, coupled with a 1.96 ERA, 0.791 WHIP, and 15.2 K/9.

Familia is the best right-handed closer in Mets history. From 2015-16, he was second in baseball in saves, while having the third most innings pitched and ninth best ERA.

Lugo has been as dominant a reliever as the Mets have ever had, and has emerged as a premier reliever in the game. To put it in perspective how dominant and overlooked he has been, over the past two years, Lugo has a better FIP while also throwing more innings than two time All-Star Josh Hader.

As great as this group is, you can argue that none of them are anywhere near as good as Betances has been. From 2014-18, Betances was one of the best relievers in all of baseball. In fact, his 11.2 fWAR was ranked No. 2. The New York native was best in innings pitched, third in K/9, fourth in fWAR, and fifth in appearances.

When you can line this level of relievers up in a row, you’re making every game a 5-6 inning game for a starting staff which includes Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Marcus Stroman. That is not only a recipe for success, it is a recipe for pure dominance.

However, it is important to note this year is 2020, and based on the last few years, only Lugo has been pitching at this high a level.

In 2019, Diaz had a career worst year. After the season, he talked about how he struggled handling New York, and as reported by Laura Albanese of Newsday, the Mets finally admitted he had been dealing with some health issues.

Familia also had a disastrous campaign. While dealing with an arterial clot removed in 2017 and battling shoulder issues again last year, you wonder if he can ever get back to the pitcher he was in 2018 (3.13 ERA) let alone his dominant form of 2014-16.

Finally, there is Betances. The towering right-hander had been shut down at the beginning of the 2019 season due to a bone spur issue in his shoulder, inflammation in the joint, and a strain to his his right latissimus dorsi muscle. When he finally came back, he had lost velocity on his pitches.

That was also before partially tearing his Achillies. The good news on that front is it did not require surgery, and he is expected to be ready for Spring Training. The downside is no one can quite be sure what type of pitcher he will be in 2020.

Long story short, this means Jeremy Hefner has his work cut out for him. The former Met turned pitching coach has been handed an incredibly gifted bullpen which needs a lot of help getting back to their respective levels of dominance. If he is able to get this group at or near their apex, this Mets relief corps has the potential to be the best in the game, and when you factor in the talent and potential of relievers like Justin Wilson and Robert Gsellman, you could have an all-time great bullpen.

On the other hand, it is difficult to coach away injuries and diminution in skill. To that end, no one can be quite sure how this bullpen will perform. As such, this “boom or bust” bullpen will be one of the key reasons why the Mets succeed or fail in 2020.

The post The Mets’ 2020 Bullpen Has Real Breakout Potential appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Good morning, Mets fans!

Latest Mets News

Some NY Post writers, Mike Puma, Joel Sherman, and Ken Davidoff reported that the source of  Yoenis Cespedes‘ ‘violent fall’  was a boar that ran out of his cage. Michelle Ioannou of MMO released an article to further discuss the report from the Post.

The Mets signed minor league OF Ryan Cordell in a minor league deal as reported by Baseball America.

Brian Schneider is the new Triple-A Manager for the Syracuse Mets, as reported by Lindsay Kramer of Syracuse.com.

Latest MLB News

Connor Byrne of MLBTR wrote an article on the Top 10 remaining free agents, those of which were already put on the site’s top 50 free agents, on the market still.

Two-way Cuban prospect, Oscar Colas, is in search of a Major League deal, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.

The Colorado Rockies have come to terms with INF Chris Owings for a minor league deal. The deal will increase to $1M if he makes the team’s Major League roster.

The San Francisco Giants have agreed to a minor league deal with RHP Tyson Ross.

Latest NL East News

The Washington Nationals have announced their new bullpen signing in Will Harris for a three-year deal worth $24M.

The team has also struck a deal with former Miami Marlin, Starlin Castro on a two-year deal for $12M.

The Miami Marlins have signed a minor league deal with RP Pat Venditte.

Latest on MMO

James Schiano wrote about two relief options on the market that would be a great addition to the Mets bullpen for 2020.

Joe D uploaded a fun Mets quiz to test your knowledge of the team. Find out if you can name all 22 Mets pitchers to end their season with 15 or more wins!

Tim Ryder discussed the comments from Brodie Van Wagenen about the Dellin Betances signing.

On This Date in Mets History

Happy Birthday Bart Shirley (80), Paul Gibson (60), Daryl Boston (57)!

1993: The Mets signed free agent Mickey Weston.

2006: The Mets traded Jae Weong Seo and Tim Hamulack to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll.

2013: The Mets signed free agent Omar Quintanilla.

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