“Probably won’t make it to the team’s last games.”The three most experienced and promising players on the New York Mets’ brutal injury report
The New York Mets’ historic purchase of Juan Soto took center stage for weeks, but now attention is focused on their starting rotation, where major improvements are still desperately needed.
A Rebuilt Rotation is Anchored by Sean Manaea
Early Monday morning, the Mets made a daring move by agreeing to a three-year, $75 million contract with Sean Manaea. With a 3.47 ERA over 181.2 innings, Manaea, 32, is coming off one of his greatest seasons to date. As the season went on, he gained momentum and his underlying numbers remained strong.
Clay Holmes: The Transformation of a Bullpen Arm
With the goal of turning Clay Holmes from a bullpen arm to a starter, the Mets took a bold risk by signing him to a three-year, $38 million contract. With a 3.14 ERA across 63 innings pitched during the previous season with the Yankees, 9.71 strikeouts per nine innings, and a 65% ground ball rate, Holmes has shown to be a dependable bullpen pitcher.
Holmes offers versatility, despite the possibility of moving to a starting position. He may be used as a high-leverage bullpen arm in the event that the transfer fails, bringing his exceptional ground ball rate and power sinker to high-leverage situations.
David Peterson Establishes Back-End Depth The 29-year-old left-hander David Peterson is still a cheap addition to the Mets’ rotation. Last season, he tossed 121 innings with an ERA of 2.90. Even though he pitched well, Peterson’s strikeout percentage dropped by about 30%, and his poor control resulted in a high walk rate. Peterson is a reliable back-end hitter despite not being a frontline starter because of his ability to produce ground balls and restrict home runs.
The Benefits of Frankie Montas Are High Risk and High Return.
Additionally, the Mets signed Frankie Montas to a two-year, $34 million contract, relying on him to recover from a challenging 2024 campaign. Between the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers, Montas threw 150.2 innings, recording a 4.84 ERA, 8.84 strikeouts per nine, and a 41.6% ground ball rate.
Montas, who is still recuperating from a serious injury that restricted him to just 1.1 innings in 2023, made progress in the latter part of 2024. The Mets are hoping he can regain the form that used to make him a consistent starter. The $17 million yearly commitment, however, highlights the signing’s inherent risk.
If healthy, Kodai Senga is still the best.
When healthy, Kodai Senga, who turns 32 next season, is the Mets’ obvious star. Despite pitching just 5.1 innings in 2024 due to injuries, Senga’s 2023 season (166.1 innings, 2.98 ERA) is nevertheless a tribute to his exceptional potential. If Senga can stay on the mound, his $15 million yearly salary is a great deal as he enters the third year of a five-year, $75 million contract. Although his health is still a major concern, the Mets are confident he can head their rotation.
choice. demonstrating his abilities in the face of a fiercely tough National League. Going ahead, the left-hander is anticipated to play a crucial role in the Mets’ rotation.
