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Determining Fate For Each Member Of New York Mets’ Bullpen In 2015

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By @BZarp

New York Mets Bullpen: Relievers To Keep Or Cut in 2015

Mets Bullpen
Steve Mitchell - USATODAY Sports

One of the most encouraging developments for the New York Mets over the course of 2014 was the performance of the bullpen in the second half of the season and the emergence of several impressive young arms that were able to close out quite a few wins for the Mets. Of course major league bullpens are in a constant state of flux, so of the relievers who appeared for the Mets in 2014, here is who they should keep or cut ties with in 2015.

12. Dario Alvarez, Keep

Dario Alvarez Mets
Anthony Gruppuso - USATODAY Sports

12. Dario Alvarez, Keep

Dario Alvarez Mets
Anthony Gruppuso - USATODAY Sports

Alvarez didn't get much of a chance to pitch in September, but he's a young lefty with enough fastball velocity and a decent breaking pitch, so the Mets are going to want to keep him around, if for no other reason than the fact that they don't have a lot of left-handed depth in their farm system. There's little harm in keeping Alvarez around, although his performance in the AFL could signal whether or not he can pitch in the big leagues.

11. Vic Black, Keep

Vic Black
David Kohl - USATODAY Sports

11. Vic Black, Keep

Vic Black
David Kohl - USATODAY Sports

Black is definitely a keeper, as he can add incredible depth to the back end of the Mets' bullpen. He may struggle with his control at times, but he has the stuff to pitch his way out of trouble when he walks a couple of batters. He won't be the team's closer next year, but he'll be a useful setup man. Of course, Black could be an interesting trade chip as well, as he has the stuff and the desire to be a closer somewhere else.

10. Buddy Carlyle, Cut

Buddy Carlyle
David Kohl - USATODAY Sports

10. Buddy Carlyle, Cut

Buddy Carlyle
David Kohl - USATODAY Sports

Carlyle, to everyone's surprise, became one of the Mets' more dependable relievers the second half of the season and turned in the best season of his career. But that doesn't mean the Mets should bring him back in 2015. A journeyman like Carlyle is unlikely to repeat such an impressive season, especially when he's on the wrong side of 35. If the Mets want to keep adding young arms to the bullpen, there won't be any room left for Carlyle.

9. Josh Edgin, Keep

Josh Edgin
Getty Images

9. Josh Edgin, Keep

Josh Edgin
Getty Images

Edgin had a rather odd season, but at the end of the day he had a 1.32 ERA and lefties hit just .185 against him which is more than enough to bring him back. He's young, throws hard and doesn't cost much in terms of payroll, so there's no reason why Edgin shouldn't be one of two or three lefties in the Mets' bullpen next year. He even has a chance to be the team's go-to lefty in 2015.

8. Dana Eveland, Cut

Dana Eveland
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

8. Dana Eveland, Cut

Dana Eveland
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

Eveland put together a really solid season in 2014 with an ERA of 2.63. But he's over 30, doesn't throw particularly hard and there are reasons why he's never been able to establish himself in the big leagues and stay there for long periods of time. If the Mets want to sign him to another minor league contract and make him earn his way back to the majors that's fine, but Eveland isn't someone they should be counting on in 2015.

7. Jeurys Familia, Keep

Jeurys Familia Mets
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

7. Jeurys Familia, Keep

Jeurys Familia Mets
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

Familia is obviously a keeper; in fact, he may have the best pure stuff of any pitcher the Mets have. Now that he's established himself as a confident and effective late-game reliever, the Mets may give him a chance to compete for the closer's job in spring training. Of course, regardless of what inning he's pitching in, Familia is a huge asset in the Mets bullpen and should be for years to come.

6. Gonzalez Germen, Keep

Gonzalez Germen
Charles LeClaire - USATODAY Sports

6. Gonzalez Germen, Keep

Gonzalez Germen
Charles LeClaire - USATODAY Sports

Germen isn't anything special, but as long as he has options he's a useful reliever the Mets can move back and forth between Triple-A and the majors all season depending on injuries and the need for an extra reliever. He has one of the best change-ups in the organization, so he can be effective in the big leagues and isn't a liability on the roster. That makes Germen a keeper for as long as he has minor league options available.

5. Erik Goeddel, Keep

Erik Goeddel
Brad Barr - USATODAY Sports

5. Erik Goeddel, Keep

Erik Goeddel
Brad Barr - USATODAY Sports

Goeddel got a September call-up with the Mets, and put up a 2.70 ERA in 6.2 innings, with opposing hitters batting .136 against him. That's a small sample size from September so there's not much to go on, but Goeddel is worth keeping around. He won't play a pivotal role in the bullpen, but he throws hard and flashes above-average secondary pitches. Even if he's just minor league depth, Goeddel is worth keeping around.

4. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Cut

Daisuke Matsuzaka
Getty Images

4. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Cut

Daisuke Matsuzaka
Getty Images

Matsuzaka could be a useful reliever for the Mets next year, but he would prefer to start and there's simply no room for him in the Mets' rotation. Moreover, there aren't enough open spots in the Mets' bullpen to guarantee one to Matsuzaka, especially since he battled injuries and rarely pitched the second half of the season, making him someone the Mets will move on from in 2015.

3. Jenrry Mejia, Keep

Jenrry Mejia
Eric Hartline - USATODAY Sports

3. Jenrry Mejia, Keep

Jenrry Mejia
Eric Hartline - USATODAY Sports

After successfully moving into the closer's role in 2014, Mejia is obviously a keeper for 2015. He did pitch with a hernia down the stretch, but he survived the season without any arm problems and pitching in short outings seems to suit him. There's a chance the Mets use Mejia as a trade chip this offseason, but if not he'll be a key part of the bullpen, even if he doesn't remain in the closer's role.

2. Scott Rice, Cut

Scott Rice Mets
Steve Mitchell - USATODAY Sports

2. Scott Rice, Cut

Scott Rice Mets
Steve Mitchell - USATODAY Sports

Even before Rice missed most of the second half with an injury, there was little reason for the Mets to bring him back in 2015. The Mets do need a reliable lefty in the bullpen, but Rice is not that guy. He's not confident enough to attack hitters, which leads to him giving up a lot of walks and that's not something the Mets can live with. Rice shouldn't even be in spring training next year; the Mets should cut ties with him for good.

1. Carlos Torres, Keep

Carlos Torres
Steve Mitchell - USATODAY Sports

1. Carlos Torres, Keep

Carlos Torres
Steve Mitchell - USATODAY Sports

Until the day his arm falls off, the Mets should keep Torres around. He has been an invaluable workhorse in the bullpen over the past two seasons. In 2014, he was second in appearances and had the most innings pitched of any non-starter, including Jenrry Mejia, who made seven starts this year. With his versatility and his rubber arm, there's no doubt there will be a spot for Torres in the Mets' bullpen in 2015.

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