Let's talk about the 2016 Bullpen

[Centerfield]

At the back end is some guy named Familia.

The Mets have already been linked to Darren O'Day and Joakim Soria.

On their own, each of these guys would be a nice get. But expensive middle relievers are a luxury that only high payroll teams get to enjoy no?

And even if you can afford them, whether or not they make sense is up for debate. Not sure there is anything in sports more volatile than the performance of a middle reliever.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm guessing that Josh Edgin is on the same schedule, roughly, as Zack Wheeler, so we probably won't see him until June or July.

I think I read somewhere that the Mets are open to forgiving Jenrry Mejia again.

Is Vic Black still alive?

Addison Reed will be back unless he's non-tendered, which seems unlikely.

Tyler Clippard is almost certainly gone.

I can see an increased role for Hansel Robles.

I also wonder if Jerry Blevins might still be in the mix. He's a free agent, but I sense that he'd like to stick around. He just needs to stop breaking his damn arm!

[batmagadanleadoff]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I think I read somewhere that the Mets are open to forgiving Jenrry Mejia again.

Good by me. It's a lot easier to forgive a player's transgressions when he might have electric stuff and he's neither a wife-beater nor baby abuser. If Mejia played a key role in a Mets WS title, and then got caught, would the Mets give back their trophy?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Mejia would be ineligible for the 2016 postseason, but that would be a problem for a later date.

[Ceetar]

Vic Black is a free agent now I think.

relievers generally return quicker, but remember what happened to Parnell. control often isn't there.

Speaking of Parnell, who's also a free agent, I'd give him a Spring and a friendly deal to get right if no one is snapping him up.

[Gwreck]

1. Familia
2. Reed is under team control but would cost about $5.5M for one year. Seems like a good idea.
3-5. Robles, Gilmartin, Goeddel are all under team control and cheap.
6. Darren O'Day was not extended a qualifying offer from the Orioles. All he costs is money. Go get him.
7. I like Antonio Bastardo as a lefty to add to the pen. Also a free agent, also no qualifying offer extended. He did do a 50-game Biogenesis suspension in 2013 but was very good for Pittsburgh this year and was also pretty good when he was with the Phillies before that.

Also:
Verrett under team control and cheap
Montero
Blevins, if he will re-sign cheap

[TransMonk]

I agree that bringing in O'Day and hanging on to Reed and Blevins is the way to go.

I'm on the fence about Mejia....leaning toward hanging on to him. I also think the bullpen will be Montero's eventual permanent landing area.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Correction, CF: O'Day and Soria (and presumably, Bastardo) are luxuries only contenders should afford. Give me both or (if only one) O'Day. If cost is an issue, then make more of an effort to move Niese for low-level prospects... or-- if and only if you can get both Soria and O'Day-- non tender Reed, who's not as good/reliable as either. Then sign Bart, give Parnell a chance to prove he isn't burnt, and give Johan (trying a comeback again) a minor-league deal, and have him teach about five others his change as THEY rehab with him.

Familia
O'Day/Soria
Bastardo
Robles
Goeddel
Gilmartin
Colon
Parnell/Johan?

Also: Verrett under team control and cheap Montero Blevins, if he will re-sign cheap

What he said. I don't particularly care for/about Mejia, and wonder whether any potential he brings to the table would be offset by the fact that half the locker room can't/doesn't want to look him in the eye.

[Edgy MD]

Edgin started off roughly two weeks ahead of Wheeler, but yeah, relievers have a somewhat faster schedule, because they aren't being built up to go nine. Or six. Or whatever.

[Frayed Knot]

Conclusion: The bullpen next season will wind up with prominent innings being pitched by at least three or four guys who we've never heard of or at least are not discussing now.
Why?: Because it always does.

[Centerfield]

Guys I had never heard of before this season:

Hansel Robles
Eric Goedell
Addison Reed
Jerry Blevins
Alex Torres
Eric O'Flaherty (I didn't remember him anyway)
Dario Alvarez

[Benjamin Grimm]

Guys I've still never heard of:

Harvey Keck
Mickey Kabibble
Lou Flomp
Jose Zinc

I'm looking forward to seeing them pitch for the Mets next year!

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I have a good feeling about the following minor league free agents, about whom I've only just heard:

Shmarley Malone
Jose Q. Wuervo
Rio Pepe
Ron Jon Bonton
Ferguson Fergusonersson
Xanthus "Sharktooth" Scubbin, DDS, Esq