Critique of the Mets Rotation
Former Mets reliever Trevor May believes the New York Mets’ rotation, which cost nearly $150 million in the offseason, is built for the bottom half of the league. May evaluated each starting arm based on depth, innings potential over the season, and the trio for playoff use. His overall rating of the unit was a C+, ranking them 18th among 30 teams in major league rotations.
Kodai Senga’s Return
May expressed concern over Kodai Senga’s limited workload last season as he battled shoulder and calf injuries, noting that his absence left him with only 5.1 innings of work. Senga’s postseason appearances were marked by some struggles, with seven runs, six hits, and seven walks in five innings over two starts. However, his spring training performance in Grapefruit League action has been promising so far, as he has not yet allowed a run or a walk, despite a small sample of innings.
Sean Manaea’s Promising Comeback
In contrast to other critiques, May offered encouragement for Sean Manaea. Although Manaea missed time this spring with an oblique strain, he has recently resumed throwing and appears on track to make his return shortly after Opening Day. May’s confidence suggests that Manaea is poised to contribute positively to the rotation going forward.
Concerns Over Frankie Montas
Frankie Montas drew sharp criticism from May, who questioned his current ability given a perceived decline over recent years. Montas has not delivered performances near his potential in the past four years, a sentiment echoed by his struggles following a significant trade that saw his ERA nearly double before injuries further limited his playing time. This ongoing issue casts doubt on his role as a reliable starter for the team.
Additional Assessments and Future Outlook
May also discussed the performances of other pitchers. He noted that left-handed pitcher David Peterson produced impressive results last season with a notably lower ERA, despite some elements of luck, and could emerge as a key figure in future innings accumulation. Clay Holmes, a three-year veteran transitioning from a reliever role, impressed during spring training with a high strikeout rate and a commitment to pitch 160 innings in the upcoming season. The optimism surrounding Holmes stands in contrast to the rest of the rotation, which still faces questions about depth and durability.
May concluded with a note of cautious hope, comparing the current situation to past seasons where player development eventually paid dividends and the team reached the NLCS. The rotation’s success hinges on several pitchers finding their rhythm early in the season, a challenge that could redefine the Mets’ competitiveness down the stretch.