Trevor Williams has been great but he’s not guaranteed a playoff roster spot

During the 2022 season, Trevor Williams has become one of my favorite Mets. It certainly wasn’t always the case. There were no cartwheels done when the Mets acquired him from the Cubs last year and no tears were shed when he was immediately sent to the minors. But there was an appreciation developed for how he handled the demotion and how well he pitched for the Mets when he was brought back to the majors last year.

And here in 2022, he’s just gone out and done his job, despite how the job has changed throughout the year. And when others were seemingly given preferential treatment to remain as starting pitchers, Williams has simply rolled with the punches. Maybe it’s because of the realization if that was me constantly getting the short end of the stick, that at some point a meltdown would have occurred. Instead, Williams’ demeanor has been as good as his pitching.

However, a bad thought has popped into my head. Is it possible that the Mets are considering leaving Williams off their postseason roster? Will there be a need for a long man in the playoffs, especially given the likelihood of a starting pitcher moving to the bullpen?

Currently, the team is using 14 pitchers. But the maximum will be 13 for the playoffs. And while it’s not a given the Mets will carry only 13 hitters and have an even split between hitters and pitchers, let’s assume that’s what they do. Additionally, let’s say that Taijuan Walker is the starter moved to the bullpen for the postseason. Given those assumptions, what does the pen look like?

Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo, Adam Ottavino and Walker are the ones written in ink. Everyone else has pencil, at best. Mychal Givens and Trevor May have the inside track for two of the remaining five spots, despite the fact that they both have ERAs in the fives this year for the Mets. But they both have track records as successful relievers and both have pitched much better here recently.

When the Mets traded for Givens, he had a 2.66 ERA and a 1.254 WHIP. And then he went out and allowed 6 ER in his first 2.2 IP and three games for the Mets. Since then, in 15 games and 17 IP, Givens has a 2.65 ERA and a 1.235 WHIP. He’s been the guy they traded for at the deadline. Givens has a history with Buck Showalter and barring an injury, it’s hard to imagine him not being on the playoff roster.

May’s history comes with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, which while not as important as history with Showalter, is still not anything to be dismissed lightly. The two were together with the Twins before both joining the Mets. In 12 games since coming off the IL, May has a 3.18 ERA and a 1.059 WHIP. On top of that, he has not allowed a run in his last five appearances. It often feels like May is walking a tightrope when he comes into the game. Yet the end results are solid enough.

So, that gives us six relief spots essentially sewed up, with three remaining.

Tommy Hunter also has a history with Showalter. He also has been pretty effective in the majors this year, too, with a 2.42 ERA and a 1.209 WHIP in 22.1 IP.
Joey Lucchesi is the forgotten man in the competition but as a lefty with experience pitching out of the pen, he can’t be ruled out.
Tylor Megill has a type of mythology built around him, despite a 4.67 ERA in 27 starts in the majors. Everyone loves his unflappable demeanor and they have visions of him being a dominant bullpen arm. And he’s been one while rehabbing in the minors.
David Peterson has been a solid starter for the Mets but he faltered in his last two appearances. Everyone assumes he’ll be a dependable lefty out of the pen, despite a 4.50 ERA and a 1.750 WHIP in eight relief innings in the majors this year.
Joely Rodriguez has been in the Mets’ pen all year. The results have not been there but Showalter keeps trotting him out there, sometimes in high-leverage spots, too. He’s probably the least-deserving reliever on the list. But the GM traded for him and hasn’t cut him yet, which has to be a consideration.
Drew Smith gave the Mets a solid reliever early in the year while May was sidelined and Lugo was inconsistent. But he was not good before landing on the IL, himself. Currently rehabbing, he still has time to make a case for inclusion.

So, that’s six relievers competing with Williams for the final three spots. Unless he falls flat on his face, Megill will likely grab one of the spots. And it’s a near-certainty that there will be a lefty reliever. But, the other lefties will not be ruled out of the competition for the final spot. Which means there will be five relievers vying for one job.

Williams deserves the spot for what he’s given the team since the first day of the season. But just because you deserve something doesn’t mean you’ll get it. It’s entirely possible that the Mets will prioritize having two lefties available in the pen. If that’s the case, it’s likely Williams would be on the outside looking in when the playoffs arrive.