One of the few New York Mets relief pitchers to provide some sort of consistency in 2022, Adam Ottavino, the team is rumored to have interest in re-signing.
Some encouraging news for Mets fans. Ottavino wrapped up last year with 66 total appearances made. He had a terrific ERA of 2.06. He finished with a 6-3 record. Ottavino provided the Mets with 79 strikeouts over 65.2 innings pitched, allowing just 15 runs.
Per Mike Puma of The New York Post, sources have indicated that the Mets would like to keep Ottavino. The holdup at the moment, however, is that Ottavino is supposedly looking for a multi-year contract, while the Mets would prefer to keep the duration of the deal one year long. Knowing his older age of 37, it makes sense from both Ottavino’s perspective as well as the team’s. Puma also shared that the Mets do believe Ottavino enjoys pitching in New York, where he is from.
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Why the Mets have to hope they can retain Ottavino:
While it will not be easy, considering the potential noted contract duration issues, along with the likely strong market he will have, the Mets have got to do what they can to re-sign Ottavino.
They simply enter the 2023 season with far too many questions from a talent standpoint in their bullpen. Especially following what was such a disastrous year for the relief pitching, the goal has to be keeping one of the few known commodities from a year ago.
The Mets started this offseason by making the easy call of signing Edwin Diaz long-term. They have added some potential bargains like a Stephen Ridings. But still, they need more proven assets for this group. Ottavino is certainly one.
How Ottavino’s market plays out from a duration standpoint with other interested teams will be the key point worth monitoring for the Mets. In the end, if they want to keep him, the Mets may have to pony up a second year on the contract.