The New York Mets, like most teams, did not make a move to upgrade their starting pitching before the MLB trade deadline Thursday.
Yet, that doesn’t mean the Mets are throwing in the towel on their best chance to get back to the World Series since 2015.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns addressed reporters Thursday after the club’s flurry of moves that upgraded the roster. He said he is hoping New York can tap into its robust prospect base to upgrade the club’s starting staff — both before the end of the regular season and in the postseason.
What Did David Stearns Say About The Mets Pitching Prospects?
Though they lead the National League East by a half-game over the Philadelphia Phillies, the Mets have just four pitchers in their rotation that have previously made a playoff start. Stearns did his best, but the astronomical cost kept him from bringing in the likes of Joe Ryan, Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen or others.
Still, the Mets did address their pitching staff by acquiring two of the best available relievers — Tyler Rogers of the San Francisco Giants and Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals — and Stearns focused on those wins instead.
“There are multiple ways to build a pitching staff,” Stearns said, per The Athletic. “We focused on the back end of the pitching staff, the bullpen. Weâre really happy with the arms we were able to acquire who are going to pitch out of our pen.
“We have confidence, not only in the starters who are here, who we think are going to keep us competitive and help us win games, we are also pleased with the development of how some of the guys in Triple A are progressing.”
Which Pitchers Are The Mets Going To Call Up?
Once a barren wasteland, the Mets prospect base is now a strength, especially their pitchers.
So by not trading their pitching prospects, like Triple-A starters like Nolan McLean (No. 3), Brandon Sproat (No. 5) or Double-A standout Jonah Tong (No. 2), the Mets can incorporate them in their push to the postseason.
âWe understand that they could â may not definitely â but could be part of the mix going forward if needed,â Stearns said, according to the New York Post.
Tong, who just turned 22 in June, may be a year-plus away. But Stearns is clearly talking about McLean, 24, and Sproat, who will turn 25 on Sept. 17, as potential options.
McLean was dominating Double-A when he was called up to Syracuse in May, but he has continued pitching well in Triple-A, boasting a 5-4 record, 3.01 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings in 11 starts in Syracuse.
Sproat, who leads Syracuse in starts (21), has been less dominant than McLean but still has a 4.07 ERA with opposing hitters batting just .228 against him. So Stearns thinks either is capable of contributing.
“I think they can help, and I think itâs just a matter of their continued development, which theyâre doing a really good job of,” Stearns said, then when does the opportunity arise, and is it the right time?
“But both those guys have taken very nice steps forward in their development. ⦠and if we need someone from Triple-A, I think weâve got people down there.”
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