The Mets are going to go to Spring Training with seven legitimate rotation options for 2018 season. If everyone is healthy, the first four spots will be occupied by Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz, and Matt Harvey.
The last spot will be a competition between Zack Wheeler, Robert Gsellman, and Seth Lugo. However, I find it hard believe that the Mets will not give the spot to Wheeler if he is really healthy. Even if they decide to not go with Wheeler, the spot probably will go to Gsellman.
Where does that leave Seth Lugo?
Well, in all likelihood, he will get his chance to start at some point with the constant health issues of the pitching staff.
On Opening Day, though, there are only two options for Lugo if he can’t crack the rotation. He will either move to the bullpen or be sent down to triple-A.
In the bullpen, he could potentially provide the Mets with a swing-man type reliever that can come in to “bridge the gap” to the latter innings of the game.
Last season, Lugo went 7-5 with a 4.71 ERA, 1.372 WHIP, 3.95 FIP, 85 strikeouts in 101.1 innings pitched.
The 28-year old is only a year removed from going 5-2 with a 2.67 ERA, 1.094 WHIP, 4.33 FIP, 45 strikeouts in 64 innings.
There are legitimate reasons to be concerned about his ability to repeat his past success after it was released last year that he is pitching through a partially torn UCL in his elbow, which most have to undergo Tommy John Surgery to repair.
It might be good then to transition him to a relief role next season and allow him pitch less innings. It would allow him to use his elite-level curve ball more often, without fear of hitters locking onto the pitch later in the game.
Lugo made nine appearances out of the bullpen in his rookie season in 2016 in which he held opposing hitters to a .185 average against him in 17 innings.
The likelihood is that if Lugo breaks camp with the team, it will have to be as a reliever. Otherwise, there is a good shot he will serve as organizational depth in Las Vegas.
