Mets' Rebuilt Bullpen Looks Solid, But They Should Start Charging More For Free Passes

[Richard Gueren]

Image courtesy of © Brad Penner-Imagn Images

There's nothing worse than a leaky bullpen that spoils a team's best-laid plans. It's like that field-goal kicker in football who can't convert a chip-shot to win the game when every other unit of the football team has performed well. 

The New York Mets (6-4) are off to a somewhat encouraging start at the outset of a marathon regular season. The bullpen has been one of the most positive aspects, as Mets relievers have posted a 1.66 ERA, second only to the Atlanta Braves (1.08). However, one of the most important statistics for a bullpen is how well they manage walks. With 14 walks issued to this point already, this bullpen can reach new heights as long as they limit the free passes.  

Newcomers Luke Weaver and Devin Williams have steadied the relief corps. Williams, in particular, needed a strong start after the bullpen lost a huge piece in Edwin Diaz. He currently has a 16.7% hard-hit rate that sits in the 93rd percentile of baseball. He posted a 1.75 ERA over his first four full seasons in the majors despite slightly elevated walk rates. However, since September 3, 2025 (excluding postseason), Williams has posted a 2.63 ERA with 19 strikeouts and two saves in 14 appearances. Williams started to turn the corner in a Yankee uniform. The best part? Only seven walks. Williams can still use an arsenal primarily comprised of a four-seam fastball and changeup as long as his command remains strong.

Still, both he and Weaver have given up two walks in their four innings thus far, and they aren't even the worst offenders in the bullpen.

Sean Manaea's role will be interesting to watch, as he began the year in the bullpen. With an opening series game against the Pirates tied 1-1, Manaea issued two walks, but was able to get Nick Gonzalez to ground out and keep the game tied. Manaea admitted after his first appearance that he is still trying to figure things out.

The southpaw issued walks at an 8.5% clip during his sterling 2024 season that landed right around the league average. It's a tricky balancing act because Manaea followed his middling season debut with an outing against the San Francisco Giants in which he admirably ate innings during a game in which the Mets were trailing by multiple runs. Even though he issued a pair of walks, Manaea saved the rest of the bullpen so that they were in position to pitch later in the series. 

Tobias Myers is an especially stingy reliever when it comes to free passes throughout his career. Myers (6.4% career walk rate) has yet to unintentionally walk an opposing hitter this season. Huascar Brazoban has likewise been flawless thus far in that regard, but he issued free passes at a 10.3% clip during a 2025 season in which he pitched well overall. A further step forward with his command would make him a far more reliable leverage reliever.

First year pitching coach Justin Willard will earn his money as he watches over the development of the relievers. Walks will kill over time, even if, thus far, the bullpen has been good at escaping the jams they've created. Better command from the relief corps will lead to better command of late-game situations.

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