“WHO IS THIS GUY PITCHING? I AIN’T NEVER HOID O’ HIM!”
Reese Kaplan had an update article earlier this AM on the Mets' pen rebuild. Based on the following, there is a lot of rebuilding left to go:
I googled the subject of pitchers used by teams in 2025, as the numbers of pitchers used baseball-wide was astronomical. Jack Baer, writer for Yahoo Sports, did this article (which I excerpted) before the season was even over:
For most of the season, MLB teams are prohibited from carrying more than 13 pitchers on their active roster. So it's quite a feat when one team manages to use three-and-a-half times that number in a year.
That team would be the New York Mets, who used their 46th pitcher in 2025 on Wednesday to break a record held by last year's Miami Marlins. The record-setting pitcher was Dom Hamel, who made his MLB debut with a scoreless sixth inning against the San Diego Padres in a 7-4 defeat.
The Atlanta Braves are right behind them with 44 pitchers used, followed by the Los Angeles Angels (41) and Arizona Diamondbacks (40).
The team with the fewest pitchers used this season:
The St. Louis Cardinals, with 24, per Baseball Reference.
Back to me:
The fact that St Louis (with 24 pitchers used) used 22 pitchers fewer than the Mets is “simply amazin’”.
Yet, the 1969 and 1986 Mets championship teams each used just 15 pitchers.
46 pitchers used by Stearns and Co. in 2025 is a sign of sheer desperation.
Arms were shredding like confetti.
And it is why the Mets collapsed.
Let’s face it, you leave spring training with 15 or fewer pitchers
- then you have to use THIRTY ONE MORE??
(Stearns calling Syracuse team: “Anyone down there whose arm is still attached?” “Well, sir, we have Hamel.” “SEND HIM UP!”)
So, remember that 46 number the next time someone suggests trading Mets prospect pitchers. If you are getting pitchers back, fine. But why would you presume the Mets won’t use 40 or more pitchers in 2026? And how much maneuvering and use of junk arms will occur during the season.
The Mets never wanted to get down to #46, Dom Hamel, last season. He had a 6.79 ERA in 2024, and a 5.32 ERA in 2025 in AAA. Brutal.
But they were desperate, very desperate.
Hamel somehow ended up with a 0.00 ERA in his one inning of Mets work, while allowing 3 hits and hitting a batter. Thank you for your service.
So…
What is the answer to the high velocity pitching conveyor belt?
I dunno. Ambidextrous pitchers?
I just dug my baseball glove out of the closet. I’m pitching for the Mets next year. After all, everyone else is too.
ReplyDeleteTom,
ReplyDeleteOn a different note, SNY is reporting that the Mets are now signing Wanry Asigen Baseball America's # 4and MLB pipeline's #2 International 2026 ranked prospect for an estimated 3.8 million dollar contract January 16, 2026.
Asign ,SS, was committed to the Yankees, but now is now signing with the Mets. This could be an outstanding signing.
I agree. So nice to see the Mets signing elite international talent
DeleteMy biggest problem with this team started Game 1. Other than when Peterson still had his stuff and went seven innings regularly, no one was going past five innings - if they made it that far. I wouldn’t be opposed to a Chris Basset to carry innings. Yes, Imai is the sexy free agent, but with Senga and Holmes and the kids that have been trained to go just five and dive, this team needs a horse that can got seven and eight often.
ReplyDeleteWith Mendoza managing this team and bullpen we will be looking at the same number of pitchers and injuries again this year. The only hope is the new pitching coach will have some influence and let our starters go past 5 innings. We can not continue to pull the starters afer 80-90 pitches just because they are going through the order for the third time. Hopefully Stearns has a quick hook with Mendoza if it continues to happen.
ReplyDeleteI like Mendoza. I think he’s very smart. But, he knows NOTHING about pitchers, so whoever was advising him shouldn’t just be fired, they should be forbidden from ever going to Citifield again.
Delete@Tom: I hope you are a lefty. You can pitch till 80, even if your fastball falls short of your age. I agree with the value of innings eaters. Basset fits that description. I recently had my fastball timed at 72mph, not bad for someone 78 but I am a righty, and my arm has been in a sling ever since. So I can't help the team. I am looking at three major moves for the Mets then a number of little ones. I think we will see a Bellinger signing. I don't think we are done at 1B -- especially if there is no Bellinger signing. Contrares and Jo Jo Romero; And I think Padres signing King (back loaded, which is the opposite of what the Mets would have done as it doesn't fit their time horizons) means that Pivetta is gone. He and one of the really good relievers not named Miller may appear as Mets. That's two potential trades but both fill needs and some players have to go in return. I believe the Mets would prefer to give up some of the Baby Mets on the roster now as compared to the prospects. I did like RVH's suggestion of taking back Darvish and his salary to reduce the return to the Padres. If Cardinals are going to trade Donovan, Acuna or Mauricio is a match to fill that gap and they will want a young starter at lower salary as well; could be a Wenninger. I do believe that Tong for Soderberg is a good trade if they don't sign Bellinger. Have to augment that one a bit as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your acquisition suggestions.
DeleteI am in fact a lefty, and I can still bring it, at least with snowballs.
my younger brother Steve, who is now 58, could really pitch, but tore up his shoulder from overuse. He was throwing in low 90s. He told me he out pitched Heathcliff Slocum (who was a year older than Steve) in a game - AND homered off of him, while he was a teenager. My brother was a regular Ohtani!
A real shame that he did the over-pitching that he did. Steve coulda been something.
Gus, I think that when Manea, Montas, Senga, Canning and Megill went down, 5 starters, that they were super cautious with their replacing starting pitchers, as one theory.
ReplyDeletePeterson had that complete game and unraveled thereafter, too, as I recall.