Mets: Why Robert Gsellman is the right choice to fill the rotation in 2020

The New York Mets have some rotation issues in 2020 with injuries, opt-outs, and underperforming. Robert Gsellman is the right choice to fill one of the void spots for the remainder of 2020.

With the recent opt-out from Marcus Stroman and a trip to the injured list for Michael Wacha, the New York Mets were in need of an arm for their starting rotation. Luis Rojas and the Mets decided that Robert Gsellman was the man,’ Rojas even saying that he will be in the rotation for the remainder of 2020.

With the Mets not having great starting pitching depth, Robert Gsellman was a good choice to help fill a weak starting rotation. Outside of Jacob deGrom and David Peterson, the rotation has been extremely inconsistent in 2020. Gsellman can bring some stability to a rotation in desperate need.

The Mets do have other pitchers on the 40 man roster and in their alternate training site that are ready to go as starting pitchers and have their pitch count up, but most of those pitchers are still extremely young and have no major league experience or very minimal. Gsellman has been in the league for a few years and has shown he can get the job done, he just needs to stretch out to a starter again with his pitch count/stamina.

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The Amazins can afford to pull Gsellman from the bullpen due to the plethora of quality arms in it. The “lesser” arms are still guys who can come in and get the job done as they have shown in the past.

Even though the bullpen is strong, Gsellman is the better option over Seth Lugo because removing Lugo to start takes out the best arm in the bullpen. Even though the rest of the bullpen has appeared to turn a corner and began to look good, the Mets still cannot afford to pull Lugo from the pen.

Gsellman has had experience starting games in the Majors before. Back in 2016 when he made his debut, he started seven games down the stretch and helped the Mets reach the postseason.

In eight games in 2016, seven of them being starts, Gsellman posted a 2.42 ERA in 44.2 innings. He did start in 2017 as well, appearing in 25 games and starting 22 of them. His 2017 was a little less impressive than the previous year as he posted a 5.19 ERA in 119.2 innings.

Gsellman’s first start this season was a little shaky as he allowed 3 runs on 4 hits in 2 innings with 1 strikeout. His first-inning was where all the damage came as he settled down and retired the last five batters he faced. Gsellman admitted post-game that he was nervous which could explain his rocky first couple batters. His next start should be better with the initial nerves of starting again presumably gone.

In 30 career games started, Gsellman is 11-9 with a 4.71 ERA in 158.2 innings pitched with a 1.456 WHIP. Those are not eye-popping numbers by any means, but it is respectable for a guy expected to be towards the back end of the rotation. He has shown he can get the job done and be reliable which is exactly what the Mets need right now.

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