New York Mets rebuild must wait until the pitching depth is gone
By Tim Boyle
A disappointing 2017 season has some thinking the next New York Mets rebuild should begin this offseason. However, with some great young pitchers still under their control, it’s better to wait it out and take advantage of the arms.
The 2017 New York Mets season was supposed to have much better results. As it did for the last several seasons, they were supposed to fight with the Washington Nationals for the division. Unfortunately, lots of injuries and a bad year from several players resulted in a fourth place finish behind the equally-as-inept and/or rebuilding Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins.
Next year can be different. If all New York Mets take their vitamins and say their prayers in the offseason, a healthy year could be in store. Specifically, it’s the starting pitching that could use the extra boost in this department.
Aside from Jacob deGrom, none of the Mets aces stayed healthy in 2017. deGrom led the way with 31 starts. Trailing him with 22 starts of his own was Robert Gsellman.
Matt Harvey was the next closest of the “aces” in terms of innings pitched and starts. However, over those 18 starts and one relief appearance, Harvey delivered a 5-7 record and 6.70 ERA. Hardly ace-worthy, Harvey helped the Mets more when he stayed in the locker room. Zack Wheeler had a similar year as Harvey, but with a less terrifying 5.21 ERA.
Steven Matz and Noah Syndergaard had the toughest time staying healthy. Matz, when he was able to take the field, didn’t do very well. He finished only 2-7 with a 6.08 ERA in his unlucky 13 starts. Syndergaard made only 7 appearances, leaving the season with a 1-2 record and 2.97 ERA.
Based on these numbers, the Mets need more than just health in their favor next year. Harvey, Wheeler, and Matz all struggled. Had they pitched more often in 2017 the Mets may have ended up winning less.
New York Mets Shouldn’t Quit Yet
One bad year shouldn’t convince the Mets to throw in the towel. A rotation with deGrom, Syndergaard, and one of the other starters returning to form is a deadly one.
Because the Mets do have the rare luxury of employing what looks like a potentially awesome rotation, the possibility of rebuilding should go on hold. This means no stop-gap players. This means replacing the veterans they traded last summer with new ones with a few more years left on the back end of their career.
The Mets need to figure out who plays first base while also explore the possibility of upgrading in center field. First base is a position with many candidates available in free agency. Center field also has a nice crop that could help them out. Someone like Carlos Gomez looking to rebound after a poor year may become a target for New York.
In addition to that pair of positions, the Mets need to add either a second baseman or third baseman. Asdrubal Cabrera would man one position with the newcomer added to the other. With big names like Mike Moustakas and Todd Frazier available in free agency, the Mets can improve at the hot corner greatly.
Of course, there’s also the bullpen to worry about. The greatest concern of any team in baseball, the Mets need to find sleeper picks this offseason. The good news is that if everyone enters the year healthy, depth is no issue. The Mets could then use many of their 2017 starters in a bullpen role. For as uninspiring as it is to see Seth Lugo start, he was one of their best pitchers last season.
A lot must go right for the Mets next year in order for it to turn into a productive season. The important thing is that they don’t call it quits yet and ride out the opportunity to begin another year with a great starting staff.