Luis Garcia is headed to Queens, and he’s expected to be part of the Mets’ Opening Day bullpen mix. It’s a low-cost move - $1.75 million guaranteed, maxing out at $3 million with incentives - but it could pay off in a big way.
Garcia slots in as a middle-innings option, likely fifth or sixth in the pecking order when everyone’s healthy. Think sixth inning, one out, runners on the corners - Garcia’s the guy you call on to induce a double play and keep the game within reach.
This signing adds another layer to what’s become a crowded bullpen picture for the Mets, especially when you factor in another intriguing arm: Adbert Alzolay. The former Cubs right-hander was brought in on a minor league deal while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. It’s a savvy, forward-thinking pickup - but one that might not pay immediate dividends.
The challenge? Roster space.
Alzolay isn’t on the 40-man roster, and with Garcia now in the fold, the margin for error is razor thin. The Mets are already dealing with some uncertainty - A.J.
Minter’s status for Opening Day is still up in the air - but they’ve built in some insurance. The bullpen is stacked with lefty options, and the front office has made it clear they’re not leaving anything to chance.
If Alzolay isn’t quite ready to go by the end of spring training, the Mets have a logical path: let him get some innings at Triple-A, ease him back into game action, and be ready to call him up when the inevitable injury or underperformance hits. That’s not a knock on Alzolay - it’s just the reality of a long season. You don’t plan for an eight-man bullpen; you plan for 16 arms to contribute over 162 games.
FanGraphs currently projects Alzolay to start the season off the roster, and that checks out. He’s coming off surgery, he’s not on the 40-man, and the Mets are short on flexibility.
Richard Lovelady and Cooper Criswell are both out of minor league options, which complicates things. Lovelady seems like a logical placeholder for Minter if he opens the year on the IL.
Criswell, meanwhile, is penciled in as the long reliever - but that role isn’t locked in.
Huascar Brazoban could challenge Criswell for that long-man spot. The Mets stretched Brazoban out in the minors last year, and he’s currently the only reliever with minor league options projected to make the Opening Day roster. That flexibility matters, especially when you’re trying to manage innings and keep arms fresh over the course of the season.
Garcia’s arrival doesn’t just impact Alzolay - it probably means the bullpen is set for now. Don’t expect Dylan Ross to break camp with the team, and don’t expect another big bullpen addition this offseason. The Mets value defined roles in their relief corps, and unless they make a bold trade (which seems unlikely given the current market), they’re rolling with what they’ve got.
Bottom line: Garcia gives the Mets a reliable, veteran arm who can handle high-leverage moments in the middle innings. Alzolay still has a path back to the majors, but it’s going to take patience and timing. And as always, spring training has a way of reshuffling the deck.