UPDATE: In a critical announcement today, David Stearns, president of baseball operations for the New York Mets, confirmed the team will not pursue an elite starting pitcher after the recent trade deadline. Fans are left wondering how this decision will impact the Mets’ playoff push as the team struggles with a depleted rotation.
The Mets have faced significant challenges with their starting pitchers, particularly over the past two months. David Peterson is the only starter to pitch at least six innings in an outing during the last month, raising alarms among fans and analysts alike. Stearns addressed these concerns while commenting on potential internal solutions, specifically mentioning promising pitching prospects Brandon Sproat and Nolan McLean, who are excelling in Triple-A.
“We are not at the point right now where we feel the need to bring them up,” Stearns stated, emphasizing that player readiness and roster fit are key factors in any decision. The Mets, who acquired three standout relievers—Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, and Gregory Soto—before the July 31 trade deadline, chose not to make a move for starting pitching, citing exorbitant costs.
Stearns had previously engaged with teams regarding available starters, including All-Star left-hander MacKenzie Gore from the Washington Nationals, but deemed the asking price too steep. This reluctance to overpay for starting pitchers marks a significant strategy in Stearns’ roster management philosophy, which contrasts with many other contenders in the league.
Despite owner Steve Cohen backing the team financially, Stearns has kept a disciplined approach, focusing on pitchers with untapped potential rather than established aces. This decision comes after a surprising run to the National League Championship Series last fall, where the Mets thrived without a clear ace.
“We’re happy with the arms we’ve brought in,” Stearns added, referring to the newly acquired relievers. However, the current state of the starting rotation tells a different story. The Mets have plummeted to 24th in Major League Baseball in ERA (4.74) and 28th in innings pitched since the beginning of June, now trailing the Philadelphia Phillies by 2.5 games in the division.
Injuries have greatly contributed to this decline, with four starters hitting the injured list in June. Notably, Kodai Senga has struggled to find consistency since returning from a hamstring injury, and Griffin Canning is out for the season. Others, like Tylor Megill and Paul Blackburn, are working their way back but have yet to make a significant impact.
Manager Carlos Mendoza expressed frustration with the starting rotation’s inconsistency, stating, “It starts on the mound, and we haven’t been able to get some quality starts.” This lack of performance has led to speculation that the Mets may soon promote Sproat or McLean to bolster their rotation for the final stretch of the season.
Both prospects are performing well in the minors, with McLean notching a 2.81 ERA in Triple-A and Sproat dominating opponents with only two earned runs in his last 33 innings. As fans await news on potential promotions, they remain hopeful that these young pitchers could inject much-needed energy into the Mets’ struggling rotation.
Stearns concluded, “I think they’re getting close.” The urgency for improvement is palpable as the Mets gear up for a crucial phase in the season. Stay tuned for further updates as the team navigates these challenges.
