Two roster spots on the Mets will need to be cleared soon, as Reed Garrett and Sean Reid-Foley are expected to return as early as this week.
The New York Mets might welcome Reed Garrett and Sean Reid-Foley back to the team this week. Their roster has undergone significant changes since their last appearances, with a mix of experienced pitchers and newer faces joining. There’s now less room for everyone, and unfortunately, both Garrett and Reid-Foley struggled during their recent Double-A rehab assignments.
The Mets have been quite ruthless with their roster decisions this year. They’ve been quick to make changes, adding new players to replace those who aren’t performing well. Recently, Jake Diekman and Adrian Houser were among the latest to be let go. Will we see another bold move?
Rehabbing today with Double-A Binghamton…
* Reed Garrett: retired one of six batters. He allowed four hits, three runs and a walk.
* Sean Reid-Foley: retired two of five batters. He walked the other three.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) August 4, 2024
When Garrett and Reid-Foley return, the Mets will need to decide who to remove from the roster. Garrett has minor league options but has been a key reliever, while Reid-Foley does not have those options. If they keep Reid-Foley, someone else will have to be cut. Who might that be?
1) The doesn’t deserve it but that’s the business buddy demotion candidate, Alex Young
Lefty Alex Young was a smart addition for the Mets well before the trade deadline chaos started. The Mets’ expectations for him this year are aligned with how they’ve already utilized him. He’ll become familiar with both Flushing and Syracuse equally.
Currently, Young seems to be the second-choice lefty behind Danny Young but ahead of Matt Gage. His limited use reflects the Mets’ current view of him. Young is not yet a trusted member of the Mets’ bullpen and will need to prove himself with the opportunities he gets.
Even if he goes on a hot streak or gets an MVP candidate out to close a game, his place on the roster is not guaranteed. Young is on the Mets’ roster for added depth and as a potentially improved version of what Diekman was supposed to be.
He might not warrant a demotion based on performance, but it might be the practical move for the roster.
2) The unfortunate demotion candidate we’d like to see more from before rushing to judgment, Huascar Brazoban
Huascar Brazoban remains a valuable trade deadline acquisition despite his shaky performance in his second outing. His impressive debut with the Mets suggests it’s too early to be concerned. The trade with the Miami Marlins is favorable because, at nearly 35 years old, Brazoban still has all three minor league options available. This control over a player is highly valued by general managers, which is why a player like Jason Adam was traded by the Tampa Bay Rays to the San Diego Padres for a significant return.
Brazoban’s role in the Mets bullpen isn’t secure, especially with the return of two injured pitchers. It might be tempting to option him to the minors temporarily, similar to what happened with Alex Young in the frequent shuffle between Triple-A and the majors.
Given Brazoban’s strong performance with the Marlins, it’s premature to dismiss him after one poor inning, which could have been avoided with better management. If Brazoban is optioned, it would allow the Mets to retain Danny Young and ensure they have at least one left-handed reliever, assuming Alex Young is also sent down. If this isn’t the solution, the Mets might only have one other viable option.
3) The Mets pitcher we’ve grown tired of seeing and should maybe think about DFA’ing, Adam Ottavino
Adam Ottavino struggled to complete his last inning on Saturday, leading Carlos Mendoza to use him in less critical situations recently. Since allowing 2 earned runs in the 8th inning against the Washington Nationals on July 9th, Ottavino hasn’t pitched in any high-leverage situations late in games. His appearance in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees on July 23rd was the closest he’s come to a high-pressure spot, where he allowed as many runs as he retired—one. This performance might be seen as a nod to Metallica, U2, and Harry Nilsson, though it’s unlikely this was intentional.
Releasing Ottavino would be a bold move, though it might not be the most prudent given recent performances, such as those by Brazoban. Ottavino currently lacks a prominent role with the Mets, often getting innings in games that are already decided. His recent appearance on Sunday was one of his more significant opportunities in weeks.
For Ottavino to be cut, other players will need to consistently outperform him over a longer period. His continued presence into August suggests the team still has some faith in him—or perhaps a lack of confidence in some of the newer additions.
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