1/3/20

Unknown Post - 2020






I am encouraged by the NY Mets off-season acquisitions thus far.

Dellin Betances healthy is a monster signing to me. It's amazing how just one late inning stud reliever like Dellin makes the whole bullpen that much significant. The bullpen looks ready now.

I find Rick Porcello to also be a very wise signing as well. To me, Rick and Zachary Wheeler are similar types of capable right-handed starters. And the Mets got Rick at a price level they could afford too.

Porcello holds a Cy Young Award and is looking for a rebound type season in 2020 which I think is entirely attainable for him considering: (A) He is in an entirely new NL where batters mostly have not faced him. His advantage. (B) He still owns the same pitches to get this accomplished and probably is looking to prove something to his fans and MLB. Rick will be driven in 2020.

Which brings me to Michael Wacha. Michael has an impressive career won/loss record 59-39, an under 4.00 career ERA, and a decent WHIP and strikeouts to innings. I think Michael should have a true chance to be the Mets perfect fifth starter.

So far.

The Mets have improved their pitching staff both at starting pitching and the bullpen, while not surrendering one of their much sought after younger nucleus of players. Two plus-pluses.

So what's left really (to me anyway) is maybe trading a back-end starter (Mets have six viable starters right now) for some youthfulness to bolster mainly their AAA roster and keep strong a sound MLB level team for seasons to come.

Of course, I like acquisition ideas of acquiring a younger starting lefty pitcher from like the Bostonian Red Sox (Daniel McGrath or Darwinzon Hernandez) and a multi-positional younger player like maybe Michael Chavis. But admittedly it doesn't have to be a trade with the Red Sox either, and there are other teams out there in desperate need for good, strong, proven affordable starting pitching.

I really like where this team is at now. And I cannot wait for ST to begin in six more weeks pitcher and catchers.

LGM!

2 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

A very interesting thought raised by the writer - how Rick Porcello might do against the NL that has not seen him much.

It seems he'll do very well, based on history:

In 45 games (43 starts) interleague, Porcello is 24-10, 4.28 ERA. Yep, 24-10.

And he was 2-1. 7.47 in 15.2 innings against the Mets, so against the rest of the NL, he is 22-9, 4.04.

Pretty impressive, even if the ERA is a bit high (and due to pitching in Fenway, where his career ERA is 4.62, about a half run higher than everywhere else).

On paper, this guy looks very good.

Mike Freire said...

I agree Mack.......one minor quibble is the #2 catcher.

Not a huge hole, but Nido isn't major league caliber (IMO) and I cannot see Ramos
playing as many games as he did last year, so the #2 guy will play a decent amount.

Maybe flip an extra starter or utility type (we have a few extra lying around) for a young catcher
who can back up Ramos in 2020 and take over the spot in 2021 (until our prospects are ready)?