The Mets’ decision to not go all-in at the trade deadline was prudent at the time. President of baseball operations David Stearns made some effective moves that didn’t cost the team any high-end prospects and he gave the bullpen enough fortification that the Mets were able to grab a Wild Card playoff spot. But by the time the Mets were in the NLCS, it was evident they didn’t have enough bullpen arms. The circle of trust seemed to shrink with every round. Right-handed swingman Jose Butto was shelled in high-leverage situations, right-hander Phil Maton struggled and veteran Adam Ottavino was left off the roster completely in the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers after going unused in the Wild Card round and NLDS. It makes you wonder what the bullpen would have looked like without all of the injuries. Teams almost never start the season with the same bullpen as the one they end it with and the Mets are no different in that respect. But if this postseason run taught them anything, it’s that they need to invest in more high-leverage pitching and more left-handed pitching. This isn’t exactly a revelatory formula. There is a reason that year after year, you hear executives say they can never have too much pitching. Stearns prioritized high-leverage experience with his offseason acquisitions last year and the Mets started the season with a bullpen they thought they could trust because of that experience. But then left-hander Brooks Raley was injured in April and lost for the season. Raley had been the only left-hander in 2023 and former manager Buck Showalter often lamented the lack of left-handers in the late innings of close games. Ottavino, who added a sweeper to counter lefties in 2023, couldn’t get them out at the same rate in 2024 (.286 opponent average, four home runs). Danny Young and Alex Young proved useful and should be next season as well, but the Mets ended up using their best starting pitcher, David Peterson, as a reliever in the postseason in part because of a lack of lefties. Johan Ramirez and Jorge Lopez didn’t work out with the Mets, but Drew Smith emerged as a solid middle-inning reliever and made the most of his high-leverage experience. But then the right-hander was injured in June. Smith and Raley both underwent internal brace procedures. They’ll both be sidelined through next season, which is unfortunate considering they’re both free agents. Smith has let the Mets know he would like to stay with the team. The sole remaining pitcher from the 2017 trade deadline haul — and the only one that stuck in the major leagues — he came to the Mets from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Lucas Duda. The Mets developed him, they rehabbed him after his first Tommy John surgery and gave him a chance to play a bigger role. Smith even traveled with the team for much of the season after getting injured, and throughout the entire playoff run. The 31-year-old felt it was important to show his support for the team and being around them helped him as well. It isn’t exactly uncommon for a pitcher to sign a contract while rehabbing from elbow surgery, especially not these days. The Mets took a chance on right-hander John Curtiss a few years ago while he was out after his second surgery. If there is a deal for Smith to work out with the Mets that would allow him to stay with the team and get a chance to pitch in New York again in two years, he would take it. Raley has seemed open to something similar, but given his age (36), he might face a steeper climb than Raley. However, if the Mets keep those two, they obviously wouldn’t be able to contribute in 2025. Stearns has already made a few minor bullpen moves, signing right-hander Dylan Covey to a major league contract and grabbing right-hander Kevin Herget off waivers. Bringing back Ryne Stanek could be a move, especially given the big outs he got in the playoffs, would give the bullpen a solid setup man and a hard thrower. The biggest name on the relief market this winter is Tanner Scott, a 30-year-old lefty the Mets looked into at the trade deadline. Right-handers Dedniel Nuñez, Reed Garrett and Sean Reid-Foley will return, as will Tyler Zuber and Huascar Brazobán. Nuñez and Garrett should play big roles again next year. Stearns did the right thing at the deadline, but after coming so close to winning a pennant, he might be encouraged to go bigger with the bullpen this winter.