Reese Kaplan -- Stop Whining About Offense and Fix the Pen!

It appears that the reinforcements to the starting rotation are indeed coming.  This week Max Scherzer makes his return and based upon the 5 Ks out of 6 batters in Jacob deGrom's first rehab start folks expect if healthy he won't be far behind.  Add in Taijuan Walker, Carlos Carrasco and the now COVID isolated Chris Bassitt and the Mets suddenly have a rotation that is what they envisioned when the season began.

All is not perfect.  Carrasco has his good days and his bad days.  Bassitt went through a slump and then seemed to get back on track before he was forced to keep distance from uninfected players.  Walker (particularly of late) has been pitching like the 2021 All Star first half guy.  No one is worried about Scherzer if his health is first rate.  deGrom, however, is another story entirely.

It was not that long ago I penned a piece about the need to concentrate on player health rather than individual performance metrics.  People were not happy seeing the two-time Cy Young Award winner hurling baseballs at 101 MPH when he's supposed to be easing his way back into professional competition.  

He has missed more time than he's pitched the past few seasons and they really need him for longevity.  He has a career ERA of just 2.50 and that kind of ability is most definitely worth preserving.  

Of course, out of necessity the team has had to rely on other pitchers to take the hill to start games for them.  David Peterson recently hurled an absolute gem and it would seem foolish to send him back to AAA when quality arms are most definitely needed in middle relief or for spot starting.  

Trevor Williams has had some ups and downs but he appears to be a legitimate option for a similar role.  About the only one not on the horizon who looked extremely promising is Tylor Megill who is pushed onto the 60-day IL.  

The question going forward is more about the bullpen where the usual support personnel are not exactly filling the fans nor management with rock solid confidence.  Obviously Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo and Adam Ottavino are established in their roles, but the heretofore unhittable Drew Smith is suddenly shaky.  The assorted others out there have not inspired much in the way of dependability.  

As much as you see articles proclaiming the Mets' overall need to fix the offense, it would seem to me that average offense plus stellar pitching is a great formula for success.  I've said it before and I'll say it again -- use non-critical pieces to enhance the bullpen for the rest of the season.  

If you can get position players without giving up the entire farm, listen to the proposed offers, but Billy Eppler really needs to focus on making sure his starting pitchers have guys out in the pen capable of holding down the fort.  Scoring an extra one or two runs isn't all helpful if the relievers are going to hand it right back again.  Right now the team needs bullpen reinforcements more than hitters.