The New York Mets’ pitching department struggled significantly in the 2025 season, ultimately leading to the team’s failure to secure a postseason spot. Following the season’s conclusion, a notable personnel change was announced on Sunday. According to MLB insider Jeff Passan, Desi Druschel is set to return to the New York Yankees as an assistant pitching coach, a role he previously held from 2022 to 2024. Druschel spent the 2025 season with the Mets in the same capacity.
This development has sparked a reaction from Yankees fans, who have taken to social media to poke fun at their cross-town rivals. Some fans have joked that Druschel’s decision to leave the Mets is a result of the team’s poor performance, with one fan suggesting that he “saw how bad the Mets were and wanted to come back to big brother.” Others have speculated that Juan Soto, who signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets before the season, might also want to leave the team due to their lack of success.
The Mets’ pitching woes were a major factor in their disappointing season. Despite starting the season strongly, with a starters’ ERA of 2.79 through June 12, the team’s pitching collapsed in the second half of the season, with a starters’ ERA of 5.09 from June 12 onwards. Injuries to key players, including Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill, further exacerbated the problem, forcing the team to rely on rookies such as Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and Brandon Sproat. The bullpen also struggled, with Ryan Helsley posting a 7.11 ERA after being acquired at the deadline.
The Mets’ poor pitching performance was a significant factor in their failure to make the postseason, despite strong seasons from players such as Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Pete Alonso. The team’s inability to address their pitching issues ultimately led to a disappointing season, and the loss of Druschel to the Yankees is likely to be seen as a further blow to the team’s chances of improving in the future. With the offseason now underway, the Mets will need to regroup and reassess their pitching strategy if they hope to compete for a postseason spot in the upcoming season.