Rubin's Rant - "A Few Weeks of deGrom Vs a Few Years"

By David Rubin

With a first place finish in the NL East division still seemingly in sight, at least before the end of this series of games against the top teams in the west, the temptation is going to be strong by the Mets front office to do whatever they need to do to get Jacob deGrom back into the rotation for at least a few weeks during September. Zack Scott is still an "acting GM" and Sandy will most assuredly, if the right candidate finally steps up, be replaced by a president of baseball operations leaving him to go focus on the overall team strategizing. With that being the case, you truly hope that they are not going to sacrifice Jacob's long-term health versus the attempt to push forward for one single division title. 

Let me elaborate on that statement for a minute- I am in my late 50s and I've been following this team religiously since 1968. My godfather, a fan since 1962 and prior to that a born and bred Brooklyn Dodgers fan, just passed away a few weeks ago and it truly saddens me that he never got to see another Mets World Series victory. As I get older, the sword of time starts to hang over my head, and all of ours, more precipitously as the realization of just how hard it is for this team to win the World Series gets more real by the day and especially by the year. Taking this into consideration, you can understand why me or anybody in my age range and older would have this become an even greater concern. That balance of knowing when to go for it at all costs and get that championship in a season in which there seemingly is little chance of getting further than a division crown (and their acquisitions at the trade deadline sadly did little to change this potential outcome) versus doing what is right for the team in the long term and the future is where great baseball executives are separated from opportunistic baseball executives. 

We are Mets fans; we learn to be eternal optimists at a young age in spite of what the realities may be and we never give up on our team!!! Once again, that being said, you need to realize that bringing Jacob deGrom back for what could be a few meaningless weeks in September, or even if they turn out to be very meaningful, versus having him at the top of the rotation for at least the next year (and hopefully much longer if/when Steve Cohen signs him to a new, long-term contract to keep him in the orange and blue for life) provide this potentially short term front office with a huge challenge. The risk of potentially having his injury or injuries grow worse and risk missing the start or all of next year is not worth having him back in the rotation for a few weeks. Yes, even if it means not getting that division crown. 

Regardless of what they choose to do, a lot of thought is going to have to go into whether or not Jacob needs to change his strategy and not worry about how many times he breaks the 100 mile an hour mark with his fastball versus having him long-term in our rotation and keeping him healthy throughout an entire season again. He has excellent control and is possessed with a brilliant mind on the mound; I have no doubt that were he to reduce his speed by 2 or 3 or 4 miles an hour and continue to rely on that dazzling control and being able to outthink almost every batter, that he would continue to be one of the best at his craft in the game for a number of years to come. Certainly that outcome has to outweigh the risk/reward that is inherent in bringing him back too soon.

Sandy - we are trusting you to make the right decision in what might be the most important one you make this year. Please don't let us, or Jacob, down.