Mets may never tap into Seth Lugo’s potential as a starting pitcher

The New York Mets pushed Seth Lugo further down the starting pitching depth chart this winter. Will we ever see him start consistently in Queens?

Seth Lugo didn’t hold back when talking this past week when talking about the moves made by the New York Mets this winter. The addition of Michael Wacha and Rick Porcello essentially guarantees he’s seventh in line to start a game. The word “disappointed” was used by the best reliever in Queens when asked about the situation.

Lugo has been brilliant these past two seasons out of the Mets’ bullpen. He’s a uniquely talented reliever capable of going multiple innings on a given night. The only downside has been an inability to pitch multiple days in a row due to a partially torn UCL.

Still determined to become an “ace,” it doesn’t appear like Lugo will get his opportunity in this upcoming season barring some major roster shakeup, lengthy injury, or underperformance. Instead, we’ll be treated to another fantastic year from him in relief.

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Lugo has made 31 starts in the big leagues dating back to 2016. The results haven’t been nearly as spectacular.

As a relief pitcher, Lugo is 9-7 with a 2.52 ERA in 178.1 innings. When he starts, he’s 13-8 with a 4.06 ERA. It’s no surprise to see these numbers. Just about anyone who can hurl a baseball 60 feet, 6 inches with efficiency will do so better working as a reliever.

The performance isn’t what will stop Lugo from getting another chance. In fact, I believe he has warranted a look as a starter. There are other reasons why we may be left wondering “what if” when it comes to Lugo.

Before the Mets signed Wacha and Porcello, Lugo looked like a realistic option to replace Zack Wheeler in the rotation. He’d also be a cheaper choice, allowing the club to spend money on improving the bullpen.

The Mets decided to go in a different direction and I can’t blame them for the choice they made. Porcello has been a healthy starter for several seasons and is a safe bet to give them 160-180 innings. Rather than move Lugo to the rotation, hope for the best, and then try to find a reliever to replace them, they went with what they felt was a surer thing.

Already at 30-years-old, the late-blooming, late-round draft pick many refer to as “LuGOAT” could end up as one of those “what ifs” in New York baseball history. Clearly a talented pitcher, his full potential may go untapped for a variety of reasons.

The 2021 season may offer Lugo a different opportunity. The two new guys and Marcus Stroman are all free agents after the upcoming season. Another awesome year from Lugo and he may give the team no choice but to offer him a chance in the spring to fight for a rotation spot.

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For now, Lugo’s dreams of becoming a starting pitcher will go on hold. This doesn’t mean he’ll never become an ace. Although we associate the term with starting pitchers, I think he has given ace performances over the last two seasons from the bullpen.