Mets: What we can expect from newly acquired arms in 2020

The New York Mets added Michael Wacha, Rick Porcello, and Dellin Betances to their pitching staff this offseason; joining a set of already motivated players to win in 2020.

The New York Mets relief corps is shaping up to see the return of Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia, Seth Lugo, Justin Wilson, Brad Brach, and Robert Gsellman; with the possibility of either Steven Matz or Michael Wacha being bumped from a starting job, Drew Smith, Paul Sewald, Tyler Bashlor, and/or Daniel Zamora to join them in the bullpen.

So, it seems for the second offseason in a row, the Mets bullpen could turn out to be one of the best in the National League.

Bearing in mind that last year’s squad had also been billed in a similar fashion, and finished 25th in ERA (4.95) and blown saves (27) last season; failing to live up to the 2019 preseason hype.

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However, following the additions of Michael Wacha, Rick Porcello, and Dellin Betances, it certainly seems feasible that this group of player can experience more success than last year’s squad, which would provide their new coaching staff with a higher level of reliability in late-inning jams that last year’s crew lacked under Mickey Callaway.

Granted, that is not to provide any sort of excuse for the former skipper’s managing style and disappointing end-result of his short two-year stint with the club. However, it is a sizeable favor for the Mets new manager, Luis Rojas, and his incoming staff. One that will hopefully give him all the help he can get in his first season managing in the MLB.

With that being said, here’s what to expect from the Mets new additions this spring and how Wacha, Porcello, and Betances will perform in orange and blue going forward on their one-year deals.

Mets sign Michael Wacha on December 13th

In early December, Brodie Van Wagenen made his first purchase of the 2019 Winter Meetings when he inked former St. Louis Cardinals starter, Michael Wacha to a one-year deal. After taking the league by storm during his performance in the 2013 season, Wacha has slowly fizzled out of the spotlight in the seven average seasons that have followed.

Interestingly, this signing appears to have a high ceiling for success due to the acquired depth of steady right-handed pitching out of the bullpen with the possibility of being a spot starter throughout the season. Plus, his sensible $3 million deal includes incentives worth closer to $7 million based upon how many games he starts, providing him with an added layer of motivation to perform.

Acquiring Wacha not only shores up the back end the Mets rotation (should he beat out Steven Matz for the fifth man spot), but he is also a sensible long reliever out of the pen, giving Mets manager Rojas the flexibility of having a spot-starter to spell his starters down the stretch, or allow them to carry a six-man rotation should they ever desire to do so. However, it’s a long season, and it’s good to have options.

It’s been a downward trajectory since his best statistical season in 2015 when he went 17-7 with a 3.20 ERA in 30 games started and 19 quality starts. The 28-year-old posted an unenviable 6-7 win/loss record in 29 games (24 started) this past season (4.76 ERA), marking a down-turn from his 2018 totals of 8-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 15 games started.

At the end of Spring Training, however, I expect Wacha to be in the pen, while Steven Matz becomes the Mets fifth starter come Opening Day.

Mets sign Rick Porcello on December 16th

It should be regarded as the offseason of one-year, prove-it deals for BVW and his front office.

Following the acquisition of Michael Wacha, Van Wagenen bolstered his starting pitching staff by adding veteran pitcher, and 2016 AL Cy Young winner, Rick Porcello to the roster.

Not only did this signing lift the back-end of the Mets starting rotation, it has also put Steven Matz, and consequently Michael Wacha (just days after his signing), on notice that with another pitcher joining the starting pitching staff, someone is going to have to join the bullpen.

Although by every given account, it looks as though Porcello’s status as a starting pitcher is by no means in jeopardy; his signing does create competition for other pitchers. While he finished his 2019 season with a 14-12 win/loss record, posting a 5.52 ERA through 32 games started, how successful he is at turning his play around will ultimately determine his job security despite the expectation that he will start 2020 in the Mets rotation.

On the bright side, no other Brodie Van Wagenen addition this offseason has shown more pride to suit up in orange and blue this season than New Jersey native, Rick Porcello. Growing up a life-long New York Mets fan, Porcello’s one-year $10 million has by all accounts appeared to be a match made in heaven.

With him on the team, the rotation should shape up to see: Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, Rick Porcello, and Steven Matz.