Mets added some guys with playoff experience, for what it’s worth

The New York Mets did a fine job of adding players with playoff experience to the roster this winter. How much does this even matter?

In sports, fans will come up with whatever reason they can to fit their personal agenda. I’m as guilty of it as anyone else. A common one we’ll hear references experience. For players, it sometimes swings back to playoff experience. If something like that matters to you, the New York Mets had a pretty solid offseason.

Brodie Van Wagenen managed to add five key players to the roster this winter. They’ll contribute in varying degrees. Some of these guys even have room to grow within the company.

For whatever it’s worth, the Mets have some new guys with playoff experience on the roster. But was that experience anything good?

Rick Porcello

Rick Porcello has 40 innings of experience in the postseason and a World Series ring won in the 2018 season as a member of the Boston Red Sox. His results haven’t been spectacular. He’s 1-3 with a 4.73 ERA in 7 starts and another 9 relief appearances.

Porcello had plenty of chances to see October baseball during his career. From his early Detroit Tigers days through his years in Boston, there was never a shortage of chances. From 2011-2018, his teams only missed the playoffs twice.

For a starting pitcher, I think there is some value to knowing a guy has been there before. With the number 22 now on his back and a history of the Mets World Series MVPs both wearing this same number, a betting man might make a phone call to his favorite bookie.

First, Porcello has to help lead the Mets to the postseason. Similar to his days with the Tigers, he’ll slot in behind some incredibly talented pitchers.