Looking ahead to 2027 -- Megill and Garrett (and Hagenman, I guess)

[Cowtipper]

Should the Mets tender them contracts? Should they cut ties and move on? What sort of role could they play? A lesser factor is Justin Hagenman, who I don't see playing this year, either. 

I'd say keep them as insurance. Next year is probably lost, too, so having them around wouldn't hurt too much. 

[MFS62]

Wayne Garrett is still on the roster?

Oh, wait!

Never mind

Later

[Centerfield]

I thought this thread was going to be about the 2027 bullpen. But yes, the Mets are going to have some decisions to make. 
 

Some candidates:

1. Devin Williams

2. Reid Garrett

3. Dedniel Nunez

4. Tylor Megill

5. Tobias Myers

6. Nate Lavender

7. Jeffrey Yan

8. Daniel Duarte

9. Kodai Senga

And this is before signing anyone. 

[MFS62]

Unless they're on the IL, they'll all get lots of chances  to show they belong on the team.

Later

[Cowtipper]

Ditch Myers and you have a pretty solid bullpen right there. 

Since 2027 is likely to be a rebuilding year, they should really use whatever open spots they have left to try prospects in the system instead of signing new guys. 

However, it might also be worth checking in on Rico Garcia. The Mets seem to have unlocked something in him last year and he's still going pretty strong this year with the Orioles.

[Centerfield]

I don't think the Mets view 2027 as a rebuilding year.  And let's be honest, in a system where 12 teams make the playoffs, there really is no reason a big market team should have a rebuilding year.  

I get that we have two months and about 50 games or so to figure things out, but that's really not a big sample size.  If Nate Lavender pitches to a high 3 ERA in 2026 garbage time, are we going to trust him to get Kyle Schwarber out in a big spot? 

[Cowtipper]

I think the Mets should call next year a rebuilding year. Mets fans have gotten too okay with the Mets being just good enough. Just good enough to make the playoffs, just good enough to appear competent. How about we strive to be great again? So instead of the usual half measures that get us to just good enough ("well, technically we're a playoff team") how about we let next year slide so 2028 can be a truly great year worth watching? 

[Gwreck]

2 hours ago, Centerfield said:

But yes, the Mets are going to have some decisions to make. 
 

Some candidates:

1. Devin Williams

2. Reid Garrett

3. Dedniel Nunez

4. Tylor Megill

5. Tobias Myers

6. Nate Lavender

7. Jeffrey Yan

8. Daniel Duarte

9. Kodai Senga

And this is before signing anyone. 

Some of these decisions are pretty clear:

Williams: Under contract, so not really any decision to be made unless the Mets wanted to eat tons of money and trade him at his lowest possible value.  While his role in the 2027 bullpen is yet to be determined, he isn’t going anywhere.

Myers: not yet arbitration eligible and will still have an option year in 2027.  With a <$1M in salary obligation next year and flexibility, obviously should be retained.

Senga: obviously very early but making him a reliever seems like a great idea.  Under contract for 2027 at $14M and then a free agent.  Will be on the team next year unless (a) he’s so bad as a reliever that the Mets give up and eat the money; or (b) he’s so good as a reliever that he regains value and is traded.

Garrett and Megill: Will be tendered contracts as long as they’re healthy/recovering well.  This decision was already telegraphed when the Mets extended contracts to both in 2026 despite clearly never going to pitch all year.  Should be ~$5M (combined) to retain them for 2027, 

Everyone else would need to do quite a lot to justify remaining, in large part because there are 7 key prospects that need to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason to remain under Mets control:  Jefferson Rojas (new #1 prospect; acquired in Holme/Taylor deal), Gary Gill Hill (acquired in Peralta deal), Zach Franklin (acquired in Brazoban deal), plus Clifford, Wenninger, Suero, and Reimer.

A few 40-man roster spots will open because Stock, Pintaro, McDermott, and Weisenburger aren’t particularly likely to hold on them.  But there’s still a crunch. 

If I had to currently rank the remaining relievers in order of likelihood of being on the Mets in 2027:

Lavendar, Nunez, Duarte, Cionel Perez, Yan, Xzavion Curry, Hagenman, field

 

[Benjamin Grimm]

I don't think it will be a rebuilding year either. At least, not intentionally. To contend in 2027 the Mets will need to have a smart offseason, something that, unfortunately, hasn't happened over the last couple of years.

[Gwreck]

22 minutes ago, Centerfield said:

If Nate Lavender pitches to a high 3 ERA in 2026 garbage time, are we going to trust him to get Kyle Schwarber out in a big spot? 

1. It’s not all garbage time.  Of the 41 remaining games, 21 are against SD, CWS, MIL, HOU, TB, NYY, and PHI, plus today’s game against ATL. Lots of good lefties on those teams and those games most decidedly matter quite a bit for those teams.  Maybe even the Marlins and Texas games in September will also matter.

2. Lavendar would sit pretty nicely as a second lefty in the pen.  Doesn’t mean they shouldn’t still go out and give Raley $15M to come back for 2 more years (or someone else similarly situated).

 

[Centerfield]

True, it's not necessarily garbage time for the opponents.  But they're meaningless games for the Mets.  And although situations may be '"high leverage" within the game, I don't know if you can extrapolate that the results would be similar when the division is on the line next year.  Assuming someone like Lavender makes 20 appearances or so, and performs moderately well.  Is that worth keeping him around for next year?  It may be.  But as you stated, spots are limited.  Both on the active roster and on the 40.  From what we've seen, Lavender might be a good second lefty in the pen behind Raley.  But at the cost of Cionel Perez?  Or exposing Yan to waivers?

Duarte has looked pretty good.  But do you protect him and risk losing Reid Garret?  How about Dedniel Nunez?  Brilliant in 2024, but has been hurt and it's tough to know what he is now.  

It sounded easy when the deadline trades were made.  It's an audition and if you're good, you'll be here next year.  But even with the guys we have, we're facing a roster crunch, and difficult decisions will need to be made.  

[Gwreck]

Cionel Perez has pitched a lot of places over the last 9 years and has exactly one good year.  Not worried about losing him.   Yan?  Any team could have had him at multiple points.  These are not the sort of players you worry about retaining.  They can be replaced easily.

Lavender is different because of low cost and lots of years of team control.  He’s one you hold on to.