NY Mets already have their Devin Williams insurance and it’s not Kodai Senga

The New York Mets already have their Devin Williams insurance and it's not Kodai Senga.

By Tim Boyle · Rising Apple

Published: Monday, 12 October 2026 at 8:00 PM

Key Things to Know

Rising Apple argues reliever Nate Lavender is the Mets' best in-house insurance for closer Devin Williams.
Devin Williams struggled during his first season with the Mets, posting a 1.57 WHIP.
Lavender produced a 1.66 ERA, a 10.8 K/9 strikeout rate, and held right-handed hitters to a .114 average.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Rising Apple's Tim Boyle argues that New York Mets reliever Nate Lavender serves as an in-house insurance option for closer Devin Williams, rather than Kodai Senga. Williams struggled with high walk and hit rates in 2026, leading to discussions about bullpen roles, but the author highlights Lavender's strong underlying metrics as a viable alternative.

Lavender posted a 1.66 ERA, a 10.8 K/9 strikeout rate, and a 1.7 BB/9 walk rate despite possessing below-average fastball velocity. Boyle suggests the Mets should trust Lavender in high-leverage bullpen innings from the start of the next season.

Read the full article on Rising Apple

NY Mets already have their Devin Williams insurance and it’s not Kodai Senga

More New York Mets News

Never Miss a Sports Update