Why The Mets Should Bring Adam Ottavino Back

The Mets have a tall order of things that need to be done this offseason. Their first task will be to retain the right talent from the 2022 roster to help build onto the 2023 team. Adam Ottavino should be one of those pieces. The fear heading into this season was that the Mets‘ bullpen would be the team’s Achilles heel. But, Ottavino, among others, steered the critics wrong.

It’s been quite some time since Ottavino had such a great season like he did this past year. The last time he posted numbers like he did this season was back in 2019, which was his first year with the Yankees. It’s no coincidence that there just so happens to be a unique connection between the right-handed reliever and the Big Apple.

Ottavino posted some strong numbers during that time with the Yankees. He finished the season with a 1.90 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings pitched. He also had a strikeout percentage of 31.1% during his time in the Bronx.

Fast forward three years later and Ottavino was back in New York on a one-year, $4-million contract. He started slow with the Mets, as Ottavino struggled to find his control. Fortunately, it was his control that made all the difference later on in the season which led to a strong finish in Flushing.

The right-handed pitcher was able to post his best season since 2019, and arguably his best season of his career, in just his first stint in Queens. He finished the season with 79 Strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings pitched. He also had a similar strikeout rate as the one he had in 2019. The figure being 30.6%.

The grizzled veteran also put up the best peripherals of his 12-year career. Ottavino posted an xERA of 2.35, an xFIP of 2.79, and a FIP of 2.85. Each terrific figures, and evidence of a top-tier relief pitcher.

Ottavino was much more than just another bullpen arm. Like Seth Lugo, Ottavino became another arm that would help bridge the Mets’ starters to their lethal closer, Edwin Díaz. His 2.06 ERA this season helped alleviate any unnecessary pressure on Díaz and the rest of the Mets’ staff.

This is the kind of arm that the Mets will need in their bullpen for the foreseeable future. If Ottavino can come to terms with the Mets on a one, or even two, year deal, the New York bullpen will be far better for it. Only time will tell us about the 36-year-old’s fate. There’s one thing that’s for sure, the Mets need him back.