Mets Weigh Internal Arms and Free Agents for 2027 Bullpen Rebuild
The New York Mets face a bullpen rebuild ahead of the 2027 MLB season after trading several veteran relievers at the 2026 deadline. President of baseball operations David Stearns must weigh returning pitchers against potential outside additions following the club’s 74-88 season.
The challenge extends beyond replacing departed relievers. According to SNY, New York has several possible bullpen contributors, but uncertainty surrounds their health, consistency and suitability for late-inning assignments.
Stearns has expressed confidence in several younger pitchers who emerged during the closing months of the season. However, the Mets must determine whether those improvements can support a competitive relief unit or whether proven outside options should handle the most demanding innings.
Why the Mets Need Bullpen Reinforcements
New York reshaped its pitching staff before the 2026 trade deadline, moving Brooks Raley, Luke Weaver, A.J. Minter and Huascar Brazoban as the organisation shifted towards evaluating younger talent.
The departures reduced the number of established relief options available for the following campaign. Weaver and Brazoban were also under contract beyond 2026, making their exits particularly relevant to the team’s offseason planning.
The deadline decisions created opportunities for younger pitchers to demonstrate their abilities against major league opposition. Stearns subsequently identified several encouraging performances, although he acknowledged that bullpen results can vary considerably.
According to MLB.com, Stearns also wants to strengthen the starting rotation. That priority could influence how aggressively New York pursues relief pitchers, particularly if an existing starter becomes available for bullpen duty.
The club therefore faces two connected decisions: how many external pitchers to acquire and which returning arms can reliably occupy important roles.
Devin Williams Remains a Central Bullpen Option
Right-hander Devin Williams appears to be the most established returning late-inning option, although his recent performance raises questions about how the Mets should deploy him.
Williams missed time with a right shoulder strain before returning for two September appearances. Stearns praised the reliever’s effort to recover and expressed confidence that he could prepare normally for the following season.
Speaking during his season-ending media availability, as reported by SNY, Stearns said:
“I give Devin (Williams) a lot of credit for working his tail off to getting back here and being able to pitch a couple games in September”
The Mets president of baseball operations subsequently added:
“He’s now going to have a completely normal offseason. He’s healthy, he feels great and we expect him to be a big part in the back end of the bullpen going forward.”
The optimism comes despite troubling recent statistics. According to the Yahoo Sports bullpen analysis, Williams recorded a 4.65 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 102.2 innings combined in 2025 and 2026.
His 2026 WHIP increased to 1.57, with 9.5 hits and 4.6 walks allowed per nine innings. Those figures illustrate why assigning him an automatic closer role would carry uncertainty even if his shoulder recovery proceeds as expected.
Williams could instead provide experienced setup relief if the Mets acquire another late-inning specialist. That arrangement remains an option rather than an announced decision.
Nate Lavender Leads the Younger Internal Candidates
Left-hander Nate Lavender offers one of the strongest arguments for retaining an important bullpen role internally.
Lavender recorded a 0.00 ERA over his first 13 major league innings, according to the roster evaluations referenced by SNY. His early performance provides encouragement, although the limited sample does not establish how he will perform over a full season.
The Mets must also evaluate Dedniel NΓΊΓ±ez, whose return from an internal brace elbow procedure could provide another right-handed option for demanding relief assignments.
NΓΊΓ±ez’s development will depend partly on his physical recovery and ability to regain the workload required for regular appearances.
Daniel Duarte presents a different possibility after handling multi-inning work and leverage situations late in the season. His performances give the team a candidate who could bridge the gap between starters and shorter relief appearances.
Left-hander Jefry Yan also remains under consideration. Stearns highlighted flashes of ability that suggested Yan might develop into a particularly effective specialist, while acknowledging the need for greater consistency.
These pitchers offer alternatives to an entirely free-agent-driven rebuild. Their performances also create competition for bullpen positions rather than guaranteeing established assignments before spring training.
Kodai Senga’s Role Could Change the Plan
The most complicated internal decision concerns Kodai Senga, whose transition from the starting rotation to relief duty produced encouraging late-season results.
Senga began 2026 as a starter before lumbar spine inflammation interrupted his campaign. After returning, he moved into the bullpen and temporarily handled closing duties while Williams was unavailable.
The right-hander delivered 13 scoreless outings across 18 relief appearances following the trade deadline, according to the performance figures detailed in the research surrounding his late-season transition.
Those outings suggest Senga could provide another experienced option in high-pressure situations. However, the demands of pitching regularly in relief differ from preparing for scheduled starts, particularly for someone managing previous physical setbacks.
Senga has expressed a preference to start, and Stearns has not settled his assignment.
During his season-ending availability, Stearns said:
“I think we’ll make that determination as we get into spring training and see where we are.”
His eventual role could depend on the Mets’ rotation acquisitions. If New York adds established starters, keeping Senga in relief becomes a more practical possibility.
If rotation depth remains insufficient, returning him to a starting assignment may better serve the roster.
Potential Free-Agent Targets for the Mets
External acquisitions could provide the certainty that New York’s developing bullpen currently lacks.
SNY has identified AdriΓ‘n MorejΓ³n as a particularly attractive potential signing. The left-hander enters his age-28 season after delivering strong performances with San Diego.
MorejΓ³n recorded a 2.83 ERA, 2.37 FIP and 1.08 WHIP across 86 innings in 2026, striking out 107 batters.
His combination of run prevention and strikeout production would make him an appealing candidate for late-inning responsibilities. SNY also highlighted his powerful fastball combination as an important part of his effectiveness.
Landing MorejΓ³n could require a substantial multiyear commitment, however, and identifying him as a potential target does not establish that the Mets have made an offer.
Right-hander Bryan Abreu represents another experienced option. Across six seasons with the Houston Astros, he compiled a career 2.82 ERA and 528 strikeouts in 392.1 innings.
Abreu’s experience in important relief situations could appeal to a club seeking dependable setup pitching rather than relying exclusively on developing players.
Another possible addition is Alex Vesia, whose 2026 campaign featured a 2.64 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 74 strikeouts across 58 innings.
His left-handed delivery would offer a further alternative alongside Lavender and Yan, potentially giving the Mets greater flexibility when deciding which reliever should face particular sections of an opposing batting order.
None of these names should be treated as a confirmed acquisition or formally announced negotiating target.
Additional Pitching Depth and Recovery Questions
New York also expects to assess Reed Garrett and Tylor Megill as they work towards full participation in spring training following their recoveries from surgery.
Stearns has indicated that both should be ready for the spring. Megill, however, is preparing for a starter’s workload, leaving his eventual assignment open.
The organisation has additional pitching prospects approaching major league consideration, including Jonathan Santucci and Jonah Tong. Their development could strengthen the wider pitching staff without establishing immediate bullpen roles.
Those possibilities give the Mets alternatives, but they also complicate decisions about roster places, relief responsibilities and potential acquisitions.
What to Watch Next
The Mets’ most consequential bullpen decisions will follow their pursuit of starting pitching and evaluation of available free agents. Spring training will then help determine whether Senga, Williams and the recovering internal candidates can cover the roles New York needs filled before the 2027 season.
