Death, taxes, and Mets injuries. It truly never fails. With the long list of those on the injury list, there are many players who would have a positive impact on the team once they get back. But, we wanted to choose just one — who will bring the biggest boost?
This whole situation brings me right back to the 2009 Mets. Players dropping like flies. I think the only way to really look at it is to chip away. Let’s start with JD Davis. He is likely the closest player to a return as he is rehabbing with Triple-A Syracuse at the moment. After him, you have to hope Brandon Nimmo’s finger will start to feel better and he can follow Davis. Getting those two back will be a good step in the right direction. Then maybe someone like Albert Almora, who is currently sidelined with a concussion. Get that offense replenished first and foremost
The short answer is this: When you have the best pitcher in the game on the shelf, he’s going to provide the biggest boost upon his return simply because he’s the best player on the team.
Outside of Jacob deGrom (who else could I be talking about?), I’m going to go with another starter in Carlos Carrasco. Brought over in the Francisco Lindor trade, Carrasco is a top of the rotation pitcher that figured into the middle of the Mets’ five. A torn hamstring in spring training has kept him out up to this point, and as a result the team hasn’t really had a true fifth starter to speak of. The bullpen has performed more than admirably in their prolonged role, but asking them to get 27 outs every fifth day isn’t a recipe for consistent success.
Marcus Stroman and Taijuan Walker have been excellent, David Peterson has been uneven, but at times very good. Throw in Carrasco and that’s as good a five as there is in baseball. Not to mention Noah Syndergaard inching closer to his return from Tommy John surgery every day. Yes, on paper the Mets’ lineup should be prolific, but the team is still built on pitching, and being able to throw a starter that gives you a better than good chance at a win every day is about as promising a boost as you could ask for.
Jacob deGrom would probably be the right answer here, as he’s the best pitcher in baseball. In an effort to be less obvious, though, I’m going to go with Noah Syndergaard and Carlos Carrasco. “But Logan, I only asked you to pick one player.” Yes Michelle, I know, but they’ll be huge additions for the same reasons.
Both Cookie and Thor are solid top-of-the-rotation arms, and while pitching has been the Mets’ saving grace, starting pitching depth has grown thin. We have seen “openers” multiple times recently, and though the bullpen has been up to the task, it’s being worked hard. Once Carrasco and Syndergaard come back, the rotation will be filled out with five very solid pitchers, taking pressure off the ‘pen.
DeGrom (who will healthy by then, knock on wood), Syndergaard, Carrasco, Taijuan Walker, and Marcus Stroman quickly becomes the best starting rotation in baseball, with David Peterson waiting in the wings as depth.
The Mets bullpen has cost the team three wins and you could even argue it’s four. I have to believe that with a healthy Seth Lugo we probably win at least two of those games if not all. In what’s shaping up to be a tight NL East race, two wins could be the difference between first and second place. This team needs Seth Lugo.
I think the player who will provide the biggest boost upon his return is Noah Syndergaard (I am not considering deGrom, as his injury should be short-term). There are a couple of reasons for my choice of Syndergaard. First, any starting pitcher will be a huge help with 4/5 of the Mets’ rotation down at the moment. Second, Noah has a presence about him that will add even more than his contributions on the mound. He’s been around since 2015, making him among the most tenured on the team. Syndergaard also has a swagger that will fit nicely into the emerging personality of this team. Finally, seeing Noah back will only further energize the fan base, that is already enjoying the grit and fight that the Mets are showing.
My gut is Jacob deGrom, because he’s Jacob deGrom. But the rotation has faired quite well in his absence. I must agree with Joe D. and say the bullpen is my focus (it tends to usually be my focus….). Seth Lugo is the bullpen arm we rely on, and have relied on for seasons now (heck, we relied on him even as a starter). He’s who I think needs to get back asap.
