New York Mets starting rotation is a three-man band right now

The New York Mets starting rotation has only three arms we can trust. What does this mean for their playoff chances and odds if they are able to make it?

It takes five men to make up a Major League Baseball starting rotation. Unfortunately, the New York Mets only have a three-man band for theirs.

Jacob deGrom is the lead singer, guitarist, and the guy that drives the tour bus. He does it all. On bass, we have Seth Lugo who used to sing for the bullpen, but like Dave Grohl, he has found a new role and a new band. In the background hitting the drums is rookie David Peterson. As the newest member, he still occasionally loses a drumstick during a solo.

The Mets don’t have anyone to provide them with backup vocals or tickle the ivories on a keyboard. The starting rotation is only three deep with the other two spots in need of an upgrade.

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When we talk about the starting rotation for this organization, anything we say about it now seems to carry over into next year. That’s because there’s no one we can fully trust to help solve this shallow issue plaguing the team.

The Mets should have Noah Syndergaard return ready for 2021. That’s a big “should have” because you never know with Tommy John Surgery.

This then leaves them with one more spot to fill. Do they revisit Steven Matz again? Does Robert Gsellman get more chances? Or does the team go out and bring in someone from the outside?

As far as 2020 goes, the Mets can get by with a shorter list of reliable starters for one reason: it’s much easier to make the playoffs. Eight teams in both leagues are headed to the postseason. All the Mets have to do is outplay seven other National League squads.

Once in the playoffs, New York would then have to lean heavily on their main three. In the longer rounds, they will need to turn to one of their other starters to give them some help. Let’s worry about this once the Mets actually get to the playoffs and advance.

It’s frightening to think the Mets actually do have enough arms to get through the postseason as long as the bats are average. Three starters plus the small number of relievers we can usually trust can carry them far. The biggest question we might have is in regards to which of those relievers gets the final three outs. It’s not Edwin Diaz.

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The Law Firm of deGrom, Lugo, and Peterson has done a great job at putting out the fire this year. I’m confident all three will be effective in 2021 as well. It’s just a matter of the front office putting together the other two spots plus adding a little depth to make things work the way they should.