Tobias Myers was never supposed to be the headline piece in the Freddy Peralta trade, yet his role may quietly become far more important than expected.
Most projections placed Myers in the bullpen as a long reliever capable of bridging awkward innings and absorbing unexpected workload.
However, reports indicate the Mets immediately informed Myers they intend to stretch him out as a starter.
David Stearns confirmed that plan publicly, signaling this is not temporary experimentation but deliberate roster strategy.
On the surface, stretching Myers makes practical sense as injury insurance for a fragile rotation.
But the decision may suggest something deeper than simple contingency planning.
Carrying him as a fully prepared starter creates flexibility that bullpen-only usage cannot provide.
If the Mets exit spring training healthy, they could option Myers to Triple-A without disrupting rotation depth.
That move would keep him built up for five or more innings at a moment’s notice.
Meanwhile, other relievers without minor league options face more immediate roster pressure.
Bryan Hudson’s acquisition subtly complicates bullpen projections and reduces guaranteed flexibility.
Craig Kimbrel lacks long-term security, but Myers and Huascar Brazoban still hold options.
Late last season, the Mets experimented with stretching Brazoban into longer outings.
That adjustment hints at broader contingency planning within the pitching staff.
If the Mets open with six starters, the need for a traditional longman decreases significantly.
One starter could temporarily shift into relief during rotation transitions.
In that scenario, Myers’ value as a Triple-A starter becomes more strategic than situational.
Rather than filling mop-up innings, he becomes the first call for real rotation instability.
This approach suggests the Mets are planning for durability challenges before they arise.
Spring rarely unfolds without setbacks, especially for veteran-heavy rotations.
Preparing Myers for starter-level endurance limits scrambling later in the season.
The move reflects caution rather than hesitation.
The Mets appear determined to begin 2026 structurally protected against early pitching turbulence.
Myers may not open the year in Queens.
But the organization’s actions imply they expect him to matter significantly before it ends.
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