Q and A - Any Starters Out There?

Reese Kaplan asks –

We’re still waiting for someone to be signed by the Mets, including the possibility of adding another starting pitcher.

            Should we, and do you have any suggestions?

Eddie Corona says –

I am one of many fans who takes issues with the Wilpons and their spending limitations: however, I am not a spend for spending sake. Who in this free agent class is really worth spending on? I would barely argue Wade Davis and he's already off the board. JD Martinez but he is 30 and while a very good player not worth the salary he is asking with only 1 year at 45 HR's... Eric Hosmer would be someone to consider however we have 2 of our top prospects that play 1b so why commit any dollars to that position.

So this year I am advocating NOT spending any long term significant salaries to any free agents... You want to sign a Lance Lynn or Alex Cobb to reasonable 3 year  for 10 million dollar per salary where that is what the market bears (heck Bartolo costed that) sure because our staff has proven to be so fragile. But that to me that isn't committing real dollars and If it was more than that I would pass...

No instead spend when the player is worth it... If next year Harper, Machado or Donaldson are free agents (and the first 2 are Boras clients) then spend what it takes to get them. PERIOD... They are young, in their prime and franchise players... I would be willing to wait for that over spending on Moustakis or Cain who scream to be the next Curtis Granderson or Jason Bay... No, spend wisely and for value...

For all the hatred for Beltran how could anyone argue that signing. But how did Tom Glavine, Bay, Granderson and countless others turn out... Average at best and I think average would be a compliment.

My wish would have been trade for Stanton and take all that contract... but that ship sailed... Would that contract be a risk? Yes of course but you would be buying a Bentley not a Hyundai (which makes very nice car I might add)...

Pass on this free agent class, Save your 12 million dollars and if we actually are in the race and a opportunity is out there to land a Huge fish at the deadline well don't make money a issue...

Mike Friere says -

If you take a casual look at the Mets' current roster, you would come away thinking that they have a surplus of pitchers both in the bullpen and in the starting rotation.  That was the thought last year, prior to the excessive amount of injuries that greatly contributed to the "train wreck" that 2017 turned out to be.  If you take a closer look, the only healthy starting pitcher that the Mets are counting on for their 2018 rotation is Jacob DeGrom.

The rest of the projected starters (Syndergaard, Matz, Harvey and Wheeler) are all talented, but are also huge question marks.  Yes, there is depth behind them on the roster and additional depth not too far away in the minor leagues.  However, are any of the pitchers that make up our "depth" good enough to pitch at the top of the rotation in 2018?

I don't think so and I also am not confident that ALL of the projected starters will be healthy and/or effective this year.  So, the short answer is that I would like to see the Mets sign a veteran starter on a short term deal that will be a dependable source of starts when one of the other starters invariably goes down for part or all of 2018.

My vote would be for someone like Lance Lynn, perhaps?   Maybe a two year deal to slot into the middle of the rotation, so we can move Wheeler to the bullpen (where he belongs, IMO) or move someone like Harvey in a trade for a different piece of the puzzle.

Mack says –

            Only if the health of our ‘Big 8’are once again in question.

In a strange sense, we may have too much pitching. A healthy rotation of Syndergaard, deGrom, Harvey, Matz, and Wheeler could force Gsellman, Lugo, and Wheeler to the pen, with Familia, Ramos, Blevins, and Swazak.

Not the worst thing that could happen.

(the more I think about this, I want Sandy to take the rest of the money the Wilpons have given to him and go get that third baseman from the Yanks)

Tom Brennan says –

Despite many hand-wringers in Metsville, I think this team, with normal health, will be competitive in 2018 - because the pitching should be drastically better - but the offense needs to be boosted back to 2017 levels if the Mets expect that to be a reality.  From that vantage point, what would I do, if I owned the team and knew I was also competing for entertainment dollars against the Yankee team that will most likely get the most attendance and media attention in 2018? 

Stretch the doggone budget and sign Moustakas, and Cain or Bruce. Then win the NL East Division.

Reese Kaplan says –

If the club is going to stay within the published budgetary limits for 2018, then I have reversed my position and say no.  They have five starters plus Rafael Montero, Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman, all of whom were mishandled by the previous regime.  The limited funds would be better spent on an outfielder and/or another reliever.  I'm assuming in 2019 when Matt Harvey leaves there are options of Corey Oswalt, Chris Flexen and Marcos Molina near ready in the pipeline.  That's six extra starters and that would seem sufficient with a new approach to conditioning and pitching prowess.