In the world of baseball, the adage “you can never have enough pitching” rings especially true for the New York Mets. Last season, they set a record for the most pitchers used in a single season, and as they gear up for another 162-game marathon, they'll be relying on a deep pool of arms to carry the load.
Right now, the Mets' strength lies in their starting rotation depth. They've got six solid starters, with Tobias Myers ready to step in if needed. This depth extends into their minor league system, ensuring they won’t have to resort to patchwork solutions like openers every few days.
Despite Ron Darling’s critique, a six-man rotation seems likely under Carlos Mendoza's guidance. While this approach offers potential benefits like extra rest and possibly improved performance, it also poses challenges, particularly when it comes to bullpen depth.
The trade-off with a six-man rotation is having only seven bullpen arms, which could put the Mets at a disadvantage. For this strategy to pay off, starters need to capitalize on the extra rest by pitching deeper into games. Last season, health issues and late-season fatigue were significant hurdles, and many of those same pitchers are back this year.
The Mets navigated last year’s challenges through careful management, but this season’s roster might not afford them the same flexibility. Kodai Senga is the only starter with minor league options, and he’s unlikely to accept a demotion. The bullpen features a few players, like Huascar Brazoban and Tobias Myers, who could be optioned, but others like Bryan Hudson and potentially Craig Kimbrel would require a DFA if they don’t make the team.
With only one true optional spot available, the Mets’ flexibility is limited. Injuries might naturally create opportunities, but that’s a less-than-ideal solution. Passing on a free agent like Luis Garcia could have opened up a spot for an optional arm, but that ship has sailed.
The bullpen isn’t exactly built for a six-man rotation. While Austin Warren showed promise, and Dylan Ross is intriguing despite command issues, the Mets need more reliable options. Homegrown talent like Ryan Lambert, Christian Scott, and Jonathan Pintaro could eventually bolster the bullpen, but they’re not quite ready to carry the load.
Until then, the Mets will likely rely on the waiver wire and mid-season moves to supplement their relief corps. The ideal scenario would involve rotating fresh arms like Ross and Lambert throughout the season, but that’s a work in progress.
Having a wealth of starting pitchers is a great asset, but it can lead to bullpen constraints. The Mets will need to stay flexible, perhaps by occasionally using a piggyback strategy with their starters, to navigate the long season ahead.