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The 2020 Mets season could very well come down to the bullpen having a bounce back season. Edwin Diaz and Jeurys Familia had career-worst years by a mile. They looked nowhere near the players they’ve been their entire careers. It cost an 86-win team the chance to make the playoffs. If this team wants to play in October, those guys in particular have to be back to their usual selves.
Doc Gooden knows a thing or two about pitching for the Mets and pitching in the bullpen, as he did later in his career. Diaz was 2-7 with a 5.59 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and just 26 saves in his first season in Queens. Dr. K sees that changing in his second season with the Mets.
“I'm looking for Diaz to bounce back for sure. If the bullpen steps up, at least do half better what they did last year, I think they'll be ok,” Gooden told me at the first New York screening of “The Way Back” movie, where he was speaking on a panel as part of the #SameHere mental health movement.
“And add Wacha and Porcello I think was pluses because you never have enough pitching. I think the main thing is they stay healthy, I look for them to be right there."
USA TODAY Images "With those guys they got good stuff. They're still throwing upper 90's and the breaking ball looks like it's there,” Gooden said. “The main thing is mental with those guys. Get back to a situation where you trust your stuff. Don't depend too much on...and I know the pitching coach don't want to hear this...but don't depend too much on the scouting reports. Go at your best stuff until the hitter shows you how to make a difference."
Mets fans were concerned with Diaz giving up two runs in his first Spring Training outing, mixed with him saying he was “anxious” in his debut. It’s February. Everybody needs to settle down and give the guy time before bashing him for a meaningless outing. This is the time to work on your stuff, get better and prepared for the games that count. Diaz certainly struggled under the spotlight last season, but fans need to realize these numbers mean nothing at all. Wait until March 26th and regular season games to criticize Diaz’s every move.
Health is the key as Gooden mentioned. If Dellin Betances stays on the field, he is an option at closer. If Familia bounces back, he’s an option, although that would leave many Mets fans a nervous wreck. Seth Lugo is an option as he was clearly the most reliable reliever last year. That leaves you with four guys to use in that role. Diaz doesn’t need to be THE guy to go to in the 9th inning in close games.
It’s been 20 years since the Subway Series World Series in 2000, where the Yankees took down the Mets in five games. With the Yankees coming into the season with championship expectations and the Mets having playoff expectations if they stay healthy, is there a potential Subway Series World Series rematch in the works?
"It can happen,” Gooden said. “Right now on paper, I'm sure they're picking the Yankees and Dodgers. But it never really works out that way. Nobody picked the Nationals last year, I'm sure. So if the Mets are healthy and to me it comes around pitching. Pitching beats hitting any day. And the Mets to me have the best starting pitching. And if they're healthy, anything can happen. So I would love to see a Subway Series."
From your lips to God’s ears, Doc.