New York Mets add rotation depth with Hector Santiago

The New York Mets have added more depth to their starting rotation, having signed Hector Santiag to a minor league deal.

In theory, the New York Mets should not have any trouble with their starting rotation. Having a duo like Noah Syndergaard and reigning Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom atop the rotation, and pitchers like Zack Wheeler and Steven Matz in the middle, the Mets should be in excellent shape. However, the Mets rotation has not been a bastion of health over the years, leaving New York scrambling to find pieces to fill in.

Very quietly, the Mets have addressed that depth, as they have signed Hector Santiago to a minor league deal.

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2018 was a disappointing year for Santiago as he moved between the bullpen and the rotation. Over the course of his 102 innings spread over 49 games, including seven starts, he posted a 4.50 ERA and a 1.588 WHiP, striking out 103 batters, but issuing 60 walks. As has been the case throughout his career, those command issues kept Santiago from being truly effective on the mound.

Nonetheless, he is an intriguing piece for the Mets. Armed with one of the last screwballs in the game, Santiago has been a solid pitcher throughout his career. Over 887 career innings, he has posted a 4.06 ERA and a 1.371 WHiP, striking out 786 batters with 407 walks.

If Santiago can perform reasonably well in Spring Training, or at the AAA level, he could be exactly what the Mets need to fill out the rotation. Jason Vargas is currently penciled into that role, but he struggled through an injury marred 2018 campaign. Seth Lugo has become a weapon in the bullpen, but has been mentioned as a possibility for that fifth starter role. The other candidates, such as Chris Flexen, Corey Oswalt, and P.J. Conlon, are not exactly the most exciting prospects.

The New York Mets have added a solid depth piece in Hector Santiago. With a strong enough showing in Spring Training, he may even get a look at the major league level during this coming season.