David Stearns perhaps had a mixed bag this offseason in terms of bolstering the New York Mets’ bullpen. Notably, high-ticket acquisitions like Adam Ottavino and Jake Diekman have fallen short of expectations. Additionally, it’s uncertain whether Shintaro Fujinami, another of Stearns’ decisions, will make a notable impact in the majors this season, given his tendency to make swift changes with his relief pitchers.

Early in the season, the Mets were quick to designate for assignment several players who were underperforming. In hindsight, this decision appears somewhat premature, as a few of these players have demonstrated significant improvement post-Mets. The tendency to quickly cycle through relief pitchers without allowing sufficient time for adjustment might have cost the Mets valuable contributions.

For instance, after his stint with the Mets and subsequent transfer to the New York Yankees, Michael Tonkin has excelled, boasting a 1.64 ERA over 38.1 innings and maintaining a strong strikeout rate. Similarly, Yohan Ramirez, despite a recent rough patch, has shown decent performance with the Los Angeles Dodgers, presenting better control and a more respectable ERA compared to his time with the Mets.

These transactions came from a position of necessity more than choice, influenced by the need for immediate bullpen reinforcements rather than long-term strategic planning. This approach, spurred by enticing late opportunities like those for Ottavino and Diekman, unfortunately resulted in a bullpen without much flexibility. This lack of maneuverability forced the Mets’ hand in making premature decisions about other pitchers’ fates on the roster.

Another questionable move was the trade of Rule 5 draft pick Justin Slaten to the Boston Red Sox, which was a clear attempt by the Mets to avoid roster inflexibility. This decision, too, might have been premature as Slaten is now showing promise in Boston.

Looking back, it’s apparent that the Mets would be in a stronger position with retained talents like Tonkin and Ramirez, and perhaps even Sean Reid-Foley, whose pre-season injury serendipitously kept him from being designated for assignment. Reid-Foley’s subsequent performance suggests he could have significantly contributed to the Mets’ bullpen as well.

In retrospect, the excitement of securing proven relievers like Ottavino might have overshadowed the need for a more measured, patient approach to roster management. Moving forward, it’s imperative for Stearns and the Mets to balance between seizing market opportunities and fostering talent development through patience and strategic flexibility. The outcome of this season may indeed serve as a critical learning curve in effective team management.