The New York Mets have been hit hard by injuries this season, with several key players sidelined. However, instead of letting these injuries deter them, the Mets should use them as motivation to become buyers in the pitching market.
One of the biggest blows to the Mets’ roster has been the loss of their ace pitcher, Jacob deGrom. DeGrom, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, has been dealing with a variety of injuries throughout the season, including tightness in his right side and forearm. Despite these setbacks, deGrom has continued to dominate on the mound when he’s been able to take the field. His absence has highlighted the need for the Mets to bolster their pitching staff.
Another significant injury for the Mets is the loss of Carlos Carrasco. The veteran pitcher, who was acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Indians during the offseason, has yet to make his Mets debut due to a torn hamstring. Carrasco has been a reliable starter in the past, and his absence has left a hole in the rotation.
In addition to deGrom and Carrasco, the Mets have also seen injuries to starting pitchers Noah Syndergaard and David Peterson. Syndergaard, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2020, was expected to return to the rotation this season but suffered a setback during his rehab. Peterson, meanwhile, has been dealing with shoulder soreness and has been placed on the injured list.
With these injuries piling up, the Mets should be actively looking to add pitching depth before the trade deadline. While their offense has been solid, ranking in the top half of the league in runs scored, their pitching staff has struggled to stay healthy and consistently perform.
One potential target for the Mets could be Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals. Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner himself, would provide a much-needed boost to the Mets’ rotation. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, Scherzer has shown no signs of slowing down, posting a 2.66 ERA and striking out over a batter per inning this season. Adding Scherzer to a rotation that already includes deGrom could give the Mets one of the most formidable one-two punches in all of baseball.
Another option for the Mets could be Jose Berrios of the Minnesota Twins. Berrios is a talented young pitcher who has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career. He has a career ERA of 4.08 and has struck out over a batter per inning in each of the past four seasons. Acquiring Berrios would not only give the Mets a quality starter, but also someone who could potentially be a long-term piece of their rotation.
While the Mets will have to part with some prospects to acquire a top-tier pitcher, their injuries have made it clear that they need to make a move. The team is currently in first place in the National League East, and adding a proven starter could help solidify their position and give them a better chance of making a deep playoff run.
In conclusion, the injuries to key pitchers on the New York Mets have highlighted the need for the team to be buyers in the pitching market. Acquiring a top-tier starter like Max Scherzer or Jose Berrios would not only provide an immediate boost to the rotation but also help solidify the Mets’ chances of contending for a championship. Despite the setbacks, the Mets have shown resilience this season, and with the right additions, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the postseason.
