It is not very often that you have the opportunity to sit by the fire, snow falling out the window, and just deeply think about things for a while. It is more rare for that to happen in the month of May, even in Denver, Colorado. Yet, Billy Eppler finds his team snowed out of likely two games this weekend against the Colorado Rockies with plenty to think about. On one hand, he has a lineup that has found a knack for clutch hitting and working tough counts, tied for the league lead in OBP. On the other hand, he finds himself with a sticky situation. His two defacto aces, Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer, and a third that has performed well, Tylor Megill, have found themselves sidelined with a variety of injuries as the Mets approach a month’s worth of tough opponents.
Yet, there is not a large amount of fear sensed right now with the New York Mets. Maybe it is the fact that as of Friday night, they sit atop the NL East with a 7 game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies. Maybe their manager has instilled a new sense of zen and confidence in the players. Whatever it may be, the Mets could be in a far worse position despite the injuries that they are looking at right now. This sense of calm allows for clear thinking when it comes to a solution to filling out the back end of the rotation. In reality, the Mets will likely only need to worry about filling one of those spots, as David Peterson is the first candidate to step up to the plate (or, in this case, rubber).
This will be a true prove it time for Peterson. After having a rough go of it in spring training Peterson has found his form in Syracuse, his 4.02 ERA not telling the entire tale. In fact, it just takes a quick peek back to the month of April to see how Peterson has improved from his sophomore slump. In four appearances (three starts) this season, Peterson has sparkled. He stepped up admirably during Taijaun Walker’s absence, delivering a 1.89 ERA and 16 strikeouts in his 19 innings pitched. Is it a small sample size? Yes. Is there room for optimism that he can continue to deliver quality starts for the Mets? Plenty. That leaves just one spot left to fill, and that is where things get tricky.
There are plenty of teams right now that seem out of contention despite how early in the season it is. Most often, thinking about potential trade partners happens during the offseason and much closer to the trade deadline. This is a big disadvantage for the Mets. If they opt to trade for a fifth arm to try to fill the back end of the rotation, the trade partner will have more leverage due to the odd timing of the deal. Teams still have to sell tickets whether or not they are in contention for a playoff spot, and trading away a quality pitcher would likely further upset the fans that are showing up for games. So while Frankie Montas of the Oakland A’s and Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle of the Cincinnati Reds seem like appealing options for the Mets, it is still a longshot to see them landing in Queens within the next month.
It is also important to remember that the Mets are looking to fill the role of the fifth starter on the team, as Megill, Scherzer, and deGrom should all be able to return at some point in the season. While it would be great to have a high-performer come in via trade, it is paramount that right now the Mets save their limited trade resources for the August 2 deadline. While the Mets making a trade certainly is possible, it just might not be for one of the names that they have been linked to due to high asking prices. It is much more likely that the team trades for a pitcher that comes at a lower asking price, that could be pushed to bullpen depth once their starters return.
It is scary that three Mets pitchers have suffered injuries this early in the season. If this team has shown anything so far through one quarter of the season however, it is that they are a resilient bunch. Those comeback wins not only equate to wins in the standings, but they also add up to feed the energy of the clubhouse. There’s no doubt that Scherzer’s maniacal, intimidating pace will be missed in the dugout and on the mound during his absence. There’s also no doubt that this team’s mentality is to keep pushing forward, no matter the task at hand. The task at hand will be tall the next month, but if any team could accomplish it, it is this one.
Peterson has a 1.89 ERA with the Mets this season
Peterson has recorded 16 strikeouts in 19 innings this season
Mets starters have a 3.30 ERA this season
Peterson has a lot of upside. Most of his problems last season were mental. His stuff is good and he knows how to pitch. If Buck handles him well, he’ll give us at least what Steven Matz would give us, and I think better. Two strong starts for every weaker start. Peterson has to learn to overcome adversity, pitch out of trouble, and give length.
Otherwise, an obvious option is to wait and see. If Megill returns healthy, if Walker and Carrasco are for real, and if Peterson fits in, we can hold the fort and play for a bigger trade come Aug. Personally, I feel the key for the Mets is their offense. If they can score 5-6 runs a game, they can muddle through with just decent pitching. If both aces return and can pitch through the season, they will be in it for all the marbles come October.
Billy Eppler will have to add a piece or two in August to compete in the playoffs. We cannot beat the Dodgers and Yankees with a Dom Smith on the bench or a Trevor May in the pen. Come October, every hitter has to be a tough out and every pitcher capable of a shut-down inning. That’s who wins in October. Mets aren’t there yet.
I agree! Don’t panic and overpay.
If Carrasco or Walker go down, that’s another story.
We should be able to get through the next 6-8 weeks without Scherzer and deGrom and maybe 3 weeks without Megill.