In my last article, I preview how the Mets starting lineup is shaping up this season. Now that we know how the positions are shaping up, let’s take a look at the pitching staff. Unlike the starting lineup article, this is going to be more of a broad overview, looking at the starting pitching and bullpen as a whole. Rather than breaking down each player. So enough of this preamble let’s get into the breakdown.
Starting Pitching
The starting pitching is the biggest question mark surrounding this Mets roster. These question marks are even bigger now, as Kodai Senga is going to miss the start of the season due to a Posterior Capsule Strain in his right shoulder. Thankfully, Senga is scheduled to start throwing next week. However, it’s still a question of when he’ll be ready to go. This is a major loss because Senga is supposed to be the ace and the guy they rely on. The only start the Mets can rely on right now is Jose Quintana. That doesn’t bring much confidence to Mets fans.
Then there is a mid-part of the rotation which is filled with projects. Guys who once showed promise but have struggled over the past few seasons. This has become a staple during David Stearns’s executive career. The Mets are hoping that their brand new state-of-the-art pitching labs can figure out what’s causing them to struggle. Guys who fall under this category are Luis Severino and Sean Manaea.
The backend of the rotation is made up of swing guys. Guys who could either be a starter or come out of the bullpen. In most cases, these are depth guys who should only make a few starts a year. Unfortunately due to how weak the Mets starting staff is, they have multiple guys who fit this build. Guys who fall under this category are Adrian Houser and Tylor Megill. If the Mets have any desire to make the playoffs, then they have to get actual starters and not guys who can do both.
Bullpen
The biggest headline concerning the Mets bullpen is the return of closer Edwin Diaz. Diaz missed the entire 2023 season after he tore his patellar tendon, celebrating a win in the World Baseball Classic. It was such a major loss, that many people think the Mets’ struggles were connected to it. However, getting him back will help the Mets out a ton. It makes Carlos Mendoza’s job a lot easier because all he has to do is get to the ninth with the lead. Once those trumpets blare the game is over.
After Diaz, the Mets on paper have two setup men in Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley. Ottavino resigned with the Mets this offseason and should be the regular eighth-inning man for the Mets. He’s had a decent stint in Queens pitching to a 2.62 ERA in two seasons. Pretty decent numbers. However, there is concerns of regression due to him being 38 years old. Raley is the lefty option for the 8th. He pitched to a 2.80 ERA last season and the hope is he can repeat that success.
These are the three main guys the Mets will use in high-leverage situations. Now, the Mets do have other options in their pen. Jorge Lopez, Jake Diekman, and Michael Tonkin are the guys the Mets will use when one of the three listed above or if a reliever needs to come in the 5th or 6th inning. Finally, Drew Smith and Sean Reid-Foley round out the bullpen being the mop-up guy and long man respectively.
The Mets have a solid bullpen. Is it one of the best in the league? No, but there is enough talent to where it’s not going to be something the Mets are constantly worrying about.
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