Boston Red Sox should target pitchers from New York Mets deep rotation
By Sean Penney
Aug 12, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; General view as New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) is shown on the scoreboard as he comes to bat against the Colorado Rockies during the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Red Sox head to the Big Apple this weekend to make their first ever regular season visit to Citi Field. Boston’s offense has been rolling this month, but they will be tested with the daunting challenge of facing a New York Mets pitching staff that ranks third in the majors this season.
You’ll have to excuse the Red Sox if they seem envious of this rotation. While Boston is starved for a front line starter to anchor their staff, the Mets are loaded with young, talented pitchers with tremendous upside.
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The Mets are blessed with a problem that every team would like to have. They have too much pitching. Ok fine, so maybe there is no such thing as having too much pitching, but when all of their pitchers are healthy the Mets have more starters than they have rotation spots. As it is, they expect to move to a six-man rotation next month when top prospect Steven Matz returns from the disabled list.
Part of their intention in using six starters in the rotation is to help limit the workload for some of their young pitchers that may be on team-induced innings caps. They are wise to tread cautiously with these kids for now, but it’s not a viable long term solution. Even with the contract of 42-year old Bartolo Colon coming off their books, the Mets will still have Zack Wheeler returning from Tommy John surgery sometime in the first half of next season.
That leaves the Mets with a surplus of pitching to offer. While New York’s offense has been on fire this month, they still have a need to add bats. The mid-season acquisition of Yoenis Cespedes has helped, but he’s a free agent after the season and it’s unclear if the cash strapped Mets are willing to offer him the type of contract he’ll demand.
This is where the Red Sox come in. They have a need for a young, cost controlled pitcher that can become the ace of their staff. They also have a deep farm system loaded with talented position players. Seems like a perfect match, right?
So let’s explore some of those Mets pitchers that may entice the Red Sox.
Next: Jacob deGrom