The Mets invite their cross-town rivals for one final tune up before Opening Day. Today is all about the bullpen with Stanek, Minter, Kranick, Young, Brazobán and Núñez all scheduled to get work in today. The Mets already announced after yesterday’s game that Núñez was being sent down to Syracuse to start the season which means the last spot in the bullpen will come down to Kranick and Brazobán.
The Mets also need to figure out today what they are doing with Alexander Canario. Canario is coming off of a tremendous game collecting three hits including two home runs, one of them being a grand slam. He no longer has options left, and will probably be difficult to sneak through waivers. As of writing the Mets have not officially announced a decision on Brett Baty (who walked three times yesterday) and Luisangel Acuña.
Three Things To Watch For:
- Max Kranick. Kranick has been phenomenal for the Mets this spring allowing two runs over 11 1/3 innings from nine hits and a walk while striking out 14 (1.59 ERA). He uses a mid-90’s fastball and has mixed in a slider, curveball and sweeper this spring. Barring something surprising, he seems to have the inside track for the last bullpen spot.
- Huascar Brazobán. Like Kranick, Brazobán still has a minor league option left. He is also having a great spring, allowing three runs, two earned from seven hits and six walks over 9 2/3 innings while striking out 13 (1.86 ERA). As a Marlin in 2024, Brazobán tossed 30 2/3 innings with a 2.39 ERA (155 ERA+). After being traded to the Mets he had a 5.14 ERA (78 ERA+) over 21 innings.
- Dedniel Núñez. Núñez starting the season with Syracuse is part of the reason why there is an open spot in the bullpen. The Mets want him to continue to build up his arm strength since he got a late start this spring. He’s only pitched in two games this spring allowing two runs from two hits while striking out three. It feels like the Mets are setting him up to be called back quickly in mid-April.
Let’s Go Mets!
