New York Mets bullpen could cost Jacob deGrom Hall of Fame

Monday’s game was a microcosm of Jacob deGrom‘s career. The New York Mets ace left his start after allowing just three hits and two walks over six scoreless innings, striking out seven. All the Mets had to do was hold a 2-0 lead for three more innings. Considering that the bullpen had been revamped yet again, that should have been a reasonable task.

But the more things change, the more they stay the same. Trevor May, the biggest addition to their bullpen, allowed two hits and a walk while notching just one out. Luis Guillorme, a player known for his defense, made a wild throw home to allow two unearned runs to score. Aaron Loup was a disaster. At the end of the day, the Mets lost 5-3, and deGrom had yet another no decision.

New York Mets bullpen costing Jacob deGrom his Hall of Fame chance

Frankly, that result is nothing new. Monday marked the 29th time in deGrom’s career where he allowed either one or zero runs in a start of at least six innings and received a no decision. deGrom has made 184 starts in his career.

The statistical absurdities continue. Since the start of the 2018 season, deGrom has posted a 2.07 ERA in 77 starts; the Mets are 36-41 in those outings. Only three pitchers have had their teams lose more of their starts – Dylan Bundy, Matthew Boyd, and Reynaldo Lopez.

Over the course of deGrom’s career, the Mets’ bullpen has had 33 games where he has left with a lead and they could not convert. While it is impossible for a bullpen to save every game, it is utterly ridiculous that deGrom has had that many no decisions, and that the Mets have subsequently lost those games.

Those blown leads have taken their toll on deGrom’s career numbers. He has been one of the best pitchers of his time, posting a 2.60 ERA and a 1.046 WHiP in 1175.2 innings, striking out 1366 batters with just 286 walks. Yet, despite those stellar numbers, he has recorded a 70-51 record due to the ineptitude of the Mets bullpen throughout his career.

At 32 years old, one has to wonder how many more dominant seasons deGrom will have left in the tank. He has the resume of a potential Hall of Fame pitcher, with three All Star appearances, two Cy Young awards, and the 2014 NL Rookie of the Year. His numbers certainly point to Cooperstown; at least, all except one statistical measure.

The win may not have the same resonance that it once did, but Hall of Fame voters still look at that total. Having just 70 wins heading into his eighth major league season just will not cut it. Dizzy Dean has the fewest wins of anyone inducted into the Hall as a pitcher with just 150 victories, but his career was cut short by injury.

Those 150 wins may end up having to be deGrom’s target. Had the Mets’ bullpen been even remotely competent during his career, one would not have to quibble over how many career victories deGrom earned. However, at this point, it may take another three years before he can even reach 100 wins.

Jacob deGrom is building a Hall of Fame resume aside from one area. The New York Mets inability to hold a lead could hinder his chances of enshrinement.