Mets Telling Michael Wacha and Rick Porcello They’d Be Starters Could Force Steven Matz to Bullpen
The New York Mets have made some major free agency signings early into the offseason, addressing needs to their rotation and outfield.
Brodie Van Wagenen was able to snatch two starting pitchers in Michael Wacha and Rick Porcello, but apparently the signings came with the expectation that the pair would be named in the Mets' starting rotation.
Well, a simple calculation suggests that would require one of the Mets' current starters to be bumped from the rotation and start the season in the bullpen.
On an introductory conference call, Michael Wacha says the Mets were appealing to him because they "had a spot to start. ... I'm here to be in the rotation."
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) December 13, 2019
The Mets also told Rick Porcello he'll start if he's healthy. Y'all can do the math.
Wacha announced in an introductory conference call that apparently he chose the Mets over other teams because they had a spot in the rotation. Porcello was also told he'd be a starter as long as he was healthy.
With Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, and Noah Syndergaard being locks for the rotation, adding Wacha and Porcello would fill out the remaining starters. This logic would suggest that Steven Matz could be forced into the bullpen for 2020.
Around the NL East: What does the addition of Rick Porcello mean for the Mets’ rotation — and their bullpen? @TimBritton https://t.co/ZatHqn6CDa
— The Athletic Atlanta (@TheAthleticATL) December 13, 2019
Matz logged a 4.21 ERA across 30 starts last season, striking out 153 batters in 160.1 innings. While he enjoyed a better season than both Porcello and Wacha, the Mets' promises to their new acquisitions could outweigh Matz's production and see him sent to relief duty.
Of course, should that be the case, Matz could always find himself back in the rotation should an injury occur, or one of the other rotation members struggles.