Mets: Predicting which starting pitcher they re-sign or extend for 2021

Michael Wacha

Then there’s Wacha. He’ll be under 30 when he does become a free agent again—unless of course, Brodie Van Wagenen gives his former client an early extension. In which case, he’s not getting there.

Wacha’s connection with BVW is what makes him a strong candidate to stay in Flushing beyond 2020. If there’s one thing we have learned about Van Wagenen it’s how much he adores having his former clients on the club.

There is a downside for Wacha and anyone who happened to invest in a jersey of his this winter. By far, he has the most to prove.

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Stroman is a two-time All-Star who compares quite well to Syndergaard. Porcello, while he has had some extremes in his career, does have that 2016 Cy Young Award to fall back on.

Wacha did appear in one All-Star Game back in 2015. This feels like a lifetime ago for the often injury-prone righty.

Wacha’s role with the Mets in 2020 will be as the fourth or fifth starter. The incentive-based contract he received told an obvious story about how much he needs to rebuild his own value. Van Wagenen is providing him with a chance. Beyond this year, it’s anyone’s guess what Wacha’s market may look like.

I do believe there’s a very good chance we see Wacha rebuild his stock and return to the Mets on a multi-year deal over the winter. Of course, he’ll have fewer chances with a shortened 2020 season ahead of us.

Over the winter, Wacha seemed to fall back on a lesser deal because of a limited market for his services. Even a career-year won’t do much more than award him with a multi-year contract worth less than what I suspect Stroman gets.

As a more affordable arm, I think he’s right up the Mets’ alley and someone they would really love to extend or re-sign. First, he needs to go out and pitch to earn the deal.

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In order, I think we see Wacha, Porcello, and then Stroman as possibilities for the Mets in 2021. One could look at this from the perspective that they’re in reverse order of talent. A more optimistic viewpoint says they are saving up for a bigger fish.