The New York Mets will have plenty of decisions to make this offseason.
While the starting rotation and future of first baseman Pete Alonso have made the most headlines since the Mets' disappointing 2023 campaign came to an end, there are other questions that need to be answered.
One of the weaknesses of the 2023 Mets club was their bullpen. New York finished the season with 22nd-ranked bullpen ERA with a disappointing 4.45. There's certainly room for improvement and the club will look to do so this offseason. The return of closer Edwin Díaz will help but there are other decisions that need to be made. The future of righty Drew Smith is in question but SNY's Danny Abriano suggests he could be back next season.
"For years, Smith was betrayed by his health," Abriano said. "And coming off the season where he finally stayed on the field all year, the Mets have little to lose by rolling with him one more time. Regardless of what they decide with Smith, the Mets are going to have to add multiple high-leverage relievers to bolster a unit led by Diaz, (Brooks Raley), and perhaps (Adam Ottavino). If Smith is part of the revamped bullpen in 2024, he'll start out in a much lower-leverage role than the one he was thrust into in 2023 -- but he has the upside to earn more trust."
Smith struggled with a 4.15 ERA out of the New York bullpen in 2023 but has a career 3.53 ERA in five big league seasons with the Mets. The 30-year-old compiled a 2.89 ERA in 75 appearances across the 2021 and 2022 campaigns and will be on a cheap contract in 2024. It certainly makes sense to bring him back and see what he can do.
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