CARLSBAD, Calif. — Much of the early offseason Mets buzz has been dominated by names such as Javier Baez, Kris Bryant and Michael Conforto, but the team’s lack of starting pitching depth shouldn’t be forgotten.
Now the question becomes, will the Mets think big or small?
“Starting pitching is definitely something we need to address,” team president Sandy Alderson said at the general managers’ meetings. “If the opportunity presents itself to do something at the top end of the rotation, I think we’ll definitely consider that. Just as important, however, based on our experience last year, depth at the other end of the rotation is real important also.”
Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco and Taijuan Walker are in place for next season — though there are health questions about each of them. In addition, the Mets have extended a qualifying offer worth $18.4 million to another question mark, Noah Syndergaard, and will know within the next week if he accepts it. Tylor Megill and David Peterson also will return as back-end options.
Among the free-agent considerations is Marcus Stroman, who helped carry the Mets’ rotation last season. Alderson was asked about the possibility the right-hander would return.
“We’ll see,” Alderson said. “Part of it depends on his level of interest. He pitched really well for us this year and was very durable, unlike the rest of our starting pitching, so he did a nice job for us and I think on that basis we have to have some interest.”
Syndergaard returned to pitch two innings in the last week of the season, his first major league action since 2019 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. If he accepts the Mets’ qualifying offer, he would slot in behind deGrom, but his durability will be a question. Adhering to medical advice, Syndergaard didn’t throw breaking balls upon returning to the Mets.
“It’s fair to say that what he will give any team in 2022 is up for debate,” Alderson said. “He’s coming off two years of not performing and he seems to be fully healthy at this point. There’s still going to be issues about him until he’s on the mound and he’s on the mound consistently over a period of time.”
As for deGrom, the Mets hope their ace will have recovered from the elbow discomfort that kept him on the injured list for the entire second half of this past season. DeGrom was diagnosed with a slight tear of the ulnar collateral ligament.
“Do I expect Jacob to be back and 100 percent? Yes,” Alderson said. “But as with all pitching, we’ll see.”