Important Mets Pitcher Reportedly Expected To Return To New York Next Season

The New York Mets have plenty of work to do. 

New York seemingly has all of the money in the world but is in a precarious spot. The Mets recently dealt star duo Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer along with outfielders Tommy Pham and Mark Canha and now need to determine their path forward toward World Series contention. 

The Mets are going to have some serious decisions to make about the roster this upcoming offseason but it sounds like one player already is making his choice. Veteran relief pitcher Adam Ottavino reportedly intends to exercise his 2024 player option and remain with the Mets in 2024, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. 

"They didn’t sign up for a potential summer of growing pains in 2024, but there's nothing they can do to change their circumstances right now," DiComo said. "Adam Ottavino is the one player who realistically can. He has no interest in doing so.

"It’s a choice Ottavino has already made. At a minimum, the right-hander intends to exercise the $6.75 million player option on his contract for 2024, he said Thursday before the Mets lost a third consecutive game to the (Kansas City Royals), 9-2, at Kauffman Stadium. If Ottavino pitches well enough down the stretch to warrant a raise, he will attempt to renegotiate his deal in advance of the opt-out so that he can stay in Flushing for longer."

Ottavino joined the Mets ahead of the 2022 campaign and was one of the club's most reliable relief pitchers. The veteran righty compiled a 2.06 ERA across 66 appearances last season. So far this season, Ottavino has pitched to a 3.48 ERA across 47 outings for New York. 

The Mets are going to have plenty of tough decisions to make but it's nice to know already Ottavino likely will be in the fold.