2014-15 Mets rotation: Harvey, Wheeler, Niese........Hefner?............

So, last year, some kid named Jeremy Hefner was promoted to the Mets.  He was there to log a few innings, get out there for a few spot starts, and wait for Matt Harvey to take his place in the rotation, and Familia and Mejia to take his place in the bullpen.

This year, that same kid named Jeremy Hefner started the year with the Mets. He was there to log a few innings, get out there for a few spot starts, and wait for Zack Wheeler to take his place in the rotation, and Familia and Mejia to take his place in the bullpen.

Funny thing happened along the way. Santana got hurt again.  Familia and Mejia keep getting hurt. And this kid named Hefner has been putting up quality starts like his name is Matt Harvey. So now what?

We've been hearing for awhile now about the amazing abundance of pitching prospects in the Mets organization.  Harvey has turned out to be.......well.......you know.  Wheeler, despite some bumps in the road, seems to hear to stay, with a bright future ahead.  But, how many times can the Mets strike gold?  A rotation, (despite the Mets best efforts recently), is comprised of only 5 guys.  Harvey is not going anywhere. Wheeler isn't either.  Niese has 3 more years left on his contract, I believe.  Plus, he's a lefty.   For 2014-15, that leaves Hefner, Gee, Montero, and Syndergaard for the final two spots.  And if Familia and Mejia ever manage to stay on the field, that would take away 2 bullpen spots.  So.............

Well, here's a crazy idea.  Start trading away some of the pitching prospects.  Let's face it.  It really is a numbers game, here.  How many of these prospects can project, and pan out,  to be top of the rotation guys: Montero, Syndergaard, Fulmer, Matz, and on, and on, and on.

All a coach can really hope and dream for of his pitcher is put up a quality start when he takes the mound.  Well, last time I checked, Hefner has done that about 7 starts in a row.  Small sample size, right.  Well, we don't have ANY major league sample size from all those other 'prospects' with nice 'projections'.     

 We've often heard Terry Collins preaching to those willing to hear that players need to force there way into the bigs on the field and not solely on potential, or what fans want to see, and who fans want to see.

Well, Hefner is putting up the numbers.  All this talk about poor Harvey, and poor Wheeler, having to deal with all the hype and pressure.  Well, Hefner has spent the past year and a half living out his dream.  All the while hearing that he is nothing but a place filler for somebody else, and at any moment he's gone.  

Maybe, just maybe, the organization that spends so much time promoting, supporting, and encouraging guys like Tejada, Ike and Duda following bad stretches, should also spend some time promoting, supporting, and encouraging guys who produce.