As we all know, the pitching rotation for 2014 is pretty much set and there is a great line of pitchers that will be coming up. So lets take a look at who could be the best options for the 2015 rotation (let it be known that I don’t believe Bartolo Colon will be here past July 31st 2014);
Matt Harvey:
With Harvey sidelined for all of 2014, it can be disappointing to think about not seeing him for a whole season. However, when 2015 rolls around he will be guaranteed a spot and will hopefully continue to dominate. If he comes back in September for a cameo consisting of 1-4 starts, it will be the first true test of whether he will become the next Mets legend.
Zack Wheeler:
When Wheeler takes the mound against the Nationals in the first series of the season, I hope that something happens so he will have the opportunity to face Stephen Strasburg. The reason behind this is because while the Mets fans chanted “Harvey’s Better” in 2013, all signs point to the possibility of Wheeler being better as well. If Wheeler continues show flashes of dominance on a more consistent basis, then there is no question he will represent the second half of the deadliest one-two punch in baseball. My favorite part about the guy is that he can dominate the Braves.
Noah Syndergaard:
Even though Syndergaard got off on the wrong foot to begin his Mets career with some questionable tweets, he put all that on the backburner with a dominant season coupled with a sincere apology. When Syndergaard makes his debut this year, he hopefully will continue his run as a 21-year old to further stabilize an excellent rotation.
Jonathon Niese:
With Steve Matz a little far away, Niese under contract, and a predictable well-above season on the mound, Niese appears to the lefty of the future here in Queens- at least for 2014 and 15.
Dillon Gee:
Gee is literally everthing that the Mets have been trying to prove for the past couple of seasons; a pitcher that doesn’t need to throw gas to be effective. The man has done just that and when it seemed that he would be kicked out of the rotation, he hit a switched in his head. Gee had a stretch of 149.1 innings where he pitched to an ERA of 2.71, only allowed more than four runs twice, and only failed to surpass six innings only once. With the lack of soft tossers in the system, he could be in here for the long haul and should be available for 2015.
Rafael Montero:
As anyone can see, there are already five pitchers on this list, making two pitchers trade candidates; Montero, Gee, and Mejia. Technically Montero has the edge because of his appearance in the top 100 prospects and the fact that the Mets value him.
Jenrry Mejia:
Mejia seems to be the biggest wildcard of this bunch, mostly because this might be his only chance to shine in the rotation with the talent in the wings. If Mejia has a dominant performance before hitting his inevitable innings limit, there could a different person on the move next offseason.
With all these pitchers, there appears to a marvelous problem on the Mets front office’s hands. Obviously there are some dark horse candidates such as Jacob deGrom, Cory Mazzoni, and Logan Verrett. The rest of the NL East better watch out for these tough pitchers- as well as the rest of the MLB for some trade candidates.
Cannot say what to expect, but, I can say what I would do. Assuming Gee and Niese are pitching well, say, as they ended the year, more or less:
1. Look to trade Niese to either Cleveland or Yankees that need a lefty starter. Also, Niese would be in play for the Reds, Brewers, and Pirates. I know that everyone is saying that there isn’t another lefty starter, but so what? I believe in the theory “it’s better to trade a player a year too early than a year too late”. Therefore, with so many possible suitors, I would move his team friendly contract for a nice piece, like a toolsy outfielder because…
2. Gee would fit in Seattle, for say Nick Franklin.
I would keep my rotation Harvey, Wheeler, Montero, Syndergaard, Mejia/deGrom/Hefner and I would find a possible fit at SS and a toolsy leadoff outfielder to complement Puello, Lagares, and maybe den Dekker, maybe some other player.
There it is.
I find it almost unethical to keep a lefty out of the rotation, however, I do see your point in moving Niese. Gee will probably up his value this year, as it could be 50/50 for Franklin to up his value. If all goes well, maybe the Mets could land Franklin and a fringe prospect for Gee- or look elsewhere for a short-term shortstop (and I am a Gee supporter).
David Price, Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Jon Niese and Dillon Gee will be in the Mets’ 2015 starting rotation.
I’m a fan of Price’s, but I don’t see SA trading the necessary pieces to make that happen, and probably with good reason. I see the enticement of trading Niese, Gee or both if they start very well. It’s probably old-fashioned, but I’d rather hold on to guys who are proving they can do it, and maybe let a couple of prospects go instead. If Syndergaard is “untouchable”, that still leaves Montero, Mejia, deGrom, Matz, Familia, Mazzoni, and others to deal if necessary. If our farm is so strong, there is no reason we can’t unload a little to get a top-flight prospect at a position of need like SS.
Patrick, I agree with you in that the pitchers pitching effectively are worth more. That’s why I mentioned Niese and Gee. A proven player is worth more than prospects are. Looking to add a toolsy outfielder won’t happen with just prospects.
If Colon is gone by July, that would mean the Mets have tanked considerably. while he has pitched exceptionally. No one will trade for a guy 40 yrs of age with 11 million owed in 2015 if he’s just been OK. I’d bet on him to be here at least til 2015.
I think Hefner would be in the mix too. 2014 will have a direct effect on 2015, so lets hope we have a nice overstacked “problem” next offseason
I think the Mets should hold on what pitchers they have and better there ball pen. As we all know the Mets ball pen were terrible in past several years. I think Pitching is the strongest part of a team and dominates hitting. So after strengthen their starting pitching and ball pen what ever pitchers they could trade for valuable piece SS or an outfielder.
It is called the bullpen.
We need more offense players if we are going win division left fielder & shortstop or moved Grandson to left field and bring a strong arm rightfielder please don’t moved our Centerfielder is the best in Baseball Mlb please let Juan devloper in to Next Tommie Agee.We need young shortstops that can run some power like Washington Nats. We hadn’t made the playoffs since the new Citifield.We need dial it up this year2015 top free agents.
I think mets could get away from getting a shortstop. We badly need a outfielder with some decent power and good defensive player who could hit an average of ,280 or above.
Another thing I think the bullpen will be find. I saw towards the of the season the bullpen started to come around. We just need t give our young pitchers some more opportunities to pitch.