NY Mets: Starting Pitching remains biggest need this offseason

The 2023 New York Mets have had a disastrous season finish, making the need for a few changes to be made this offseason. Coming in 4th place in the NL East after spending a quarter of a billion dollars the previous offseason was the last straw,sounding the alarm in Flushing, Queens. The team has many needs, due to the trade deadline deals, where Ace starters Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer were sent packing, along with various other star position players such as Mark Canha and Tommy Pham. Here is why new Mets’ baseball president of operations David Stearns needs to focus on the starting rotation, for a few reasons.

The team has watched a brilliant on paper team quickly dissolve and fade away, and when Verander, 40, was dealt back to the Houston Astros, he simply didn’t disappoint, to put it in simple terms. Verlander went 13-8 with a 3.22 ERA on the year as a whole, in New York he had a 6-5 record and after the trade he dazzled, bringing back shades of vintage Verlander, going 7-3.

It is unfortunate, and while it’s true that the team can’t keep everyone, as some come and go, the team does have one particular starting pitcher who does a phenomenal job at his role within the organization. Let’s take a look.

Enter 30 year old first year, Rookie of the Year finalist Kodai Senga. Senga is coming over from Japan, and has wowed in the transition. Senga demonstrated a wide array of pitches, most notably the “Ghost Fork”, and his record this year and ERA was solid. He had a 12-7 record on the year with a 2.98 ERA, notching 202 strikeouts.

That’s insane.

Senga seems to be a great clubhouse guy and demonstrates quality leadership and professionalism. Coupled with a solid first year in the books, he looks to be a standout feature, earning the title of Ace of the current rotation.

However, Senga can’t hold down fort alone. It remains a mystery what type of rotation the Mets will use, but it’s evident the team needs to get him some help, as relying on one win every 5 days is simply a recipe for heartbreak.

Targeting a big name pitcher such as Jordan Montgomery, 10-11 record, 3.20 ERA, 166 Ks, in Free Agency, who has played for the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees, most recently, could very well help the team regain the similar 1-2 punch that was seen in 2015, when the team last made their World Series appearance.

It’s been said that pitching wins ballgames just as much as offensive production does. Retiring big name talents are no easy task, but it is achievable. One of the hardest things to do in professional sports remains to hit a 99mph fastball, in my honest opinion. Baseball is a game of anticipation. The 1-2 punch of Jacob DeGrom and Noah Syndergaard resulted in a huge season for the team.

The team looks set in the areas aside from outfield, where normal second baseman Jeff McNeil is holding down Right Field temporarily. It’s unclear who will roam the outfield in 2024, however, DJ Stewart could be a great option to hold onto, as his Mets’ debut was efficient enough to earn the respect of the team’s fanbase, 11 home runs, 26 RBIs, batting .244 with 39 hits in his short time here.

To put things into perspective, the team has a few needs, but if your rotation gets lit up each day, your offense might not be able to save the day depending on who’s hot who’s cold and who’s hurt. It’s wise to shop for a solid credible starter such as Montgomery or another option and put the plan of winning games back in motion.