DeGrom Heads A 2021 Rotation With Many Questions

Jacob deGrom is one part of the equation. Seth Lugo could be settling in the rotation as the Mets are obviously on thin ice and have to look ahead for 2021. However, a once dominant rotation is no more.

Time to readjust. Despite the setbacks, there is some optimism. Steve Cohen, with his money in place, could add a missing piece or two to this rotation.

So, begin with David Peterson, Rick Porcello, and deGrom. They present an opportunity to start all over after setting a club record of Mets starters striking out 10 or more in three straight starts.

No surprise, pitching wins ball games and it was significant during this unusual and truncated 60-game season.  

Peterson, the rookie left-hander, kept the Mets’ playoff hopes alive. Porcello had his finest outing on the mound as a Met Sunday afternoon and if there were fans at Citi Field they would have exited with disappointment. 

Blame the bullpen also as the playoff hopes are  just about done and gone. Porcello did his best to keep those playoff hopes alive and kept it close. Jeurys Familia let it go when Travis d’Arnaud banged a two -run double in the eighth.

 If this era of baseball and pitch counts were not important, perhaps, Porcello, seven-innings and 100 pitches through seven goes deeper. Perhaps, the Mets are not looking at elimination tonight in this expanded playoff format of a season.

Regardless,  and no matter how late in the season, it’s pitch counts and analytics that told manager Luis Rojas what to do.

Despite what Rojas said afterwards, it was analytics as managers are reliant on this new wave of numbers that have changed the way they determine decisions. Though, the Mets could have used more runners on base that contributed to not taking two-of-three from the Braves. 

So with six games remaining, and the percentages of what other teams ahead of them do say it, the Mets need to face reality. They will likely go home after their Sunday finale  down in Washington against the Nationals.  

And then it’s planning for next year with a new owner. Plenty of changes on the roster and the task is a must to rebuild this starting rotation. You can start with Peterson and possibly Porcello remaining in that rotation.

Depend on Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard (a possible return in mid-June), Peterson and Porcello. Though, Porcello, not the Cy Young pitcher of the past, a year older and with a contract situation up in the air.  

Had it not been for Peterson, we wound not even be talking about playoffs on Sunday. And if the bullpen kept it respectable, when Porcello was lifted, we would be talking more about tonight against the Rays at Citi Field.

But enough of that and focus on the future.  Peterson got his opportunity when Marcus Stroman opted out and injuries decimated the rotation. Fortunately, GM Brodie Van Wagenen stayed with the left-handed prospect, instead of being a part of a trade that hardly works for the Mets.

Brodie, as we all know, has depleted the pitching prospects and one after another for what was supposed to be that player or two that would give the Mets what they needed in their push to a postseason. 

Porcello, though, resembled a former NL Cy Young award winner. His stock raised expectations with the sinker and fastball working his spots. Seven innings of one-hit ball and striking out 10. The only blemish, a Ronald Acuna Jr. home run in the sixth that broke a scoreless tie,

“It’s not talent that separates you,” Porcello said. “It’s playing good baseball.” The Mets, overall, played good  baseball Sunday. 

And like deGrom in 2014, Peterson  got that opportunity because there was no Stroman and the injuries. Remember that deGrom got his opportunity when Jon Niese had his issues with the arm and elbow. 

“Seven strikeouts through four innings against the Braves is outstanding,” said an advanced scout who has logged many innings of Peterson in the Mets’ minor league system.

He said Peterson will eventually have an All-Star career. Perhaps, not like deGrom, but good to be a two or three in the rotation next year. He has a good breaking ball and knows how to battle with runners on base.

Okay, Steven Matz? Figure patience has run thin. You would gather that Steve Cohen, and all of his money invested, would rather see Matz coming out of the bullpen. Or maybe there’s e a team that still believes in Matz, despite his  inconsistency and health issues. It would be nice to try and work a deal and getting back some value in return.

That same scout said, “Matz would benefit from a change of scenery.” That change also helped d’Arnaud who went 11-for-24 against his former team this season.

Porcello, with a one-year contract? Well, he has not resembled the 2016 Cy Young Award winner, but at times the record is deceiving as the Mets did not produce for him with runners in scoring position. The sinker, though, still has the ability to induce ground ball outs.

Brandon Nimmo said, “All we can do, that’s our only choice right now, is to fight.” But the fight appears to be over. 

The fight may be over until next year, but with the optimism of a new owner with big pockets, perhaps we will see some positive developments in the rotation.

Comment: Twitter@Ring786 Facebook.com/ Rich Mancuso