New York Mets final report card grades for the 2020 season

Sep 27, 2020; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Mets manager Luis Rojas (19) uses hand sanitizer in the dugout after making a pitching change against the Washington Nationals in the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2020; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Mets manager Luis Rojas (19) uses hand sanitizer in the dugout after making a pitching change against the Washington Nationals in the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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Mets
Aug 13, 2020; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Brad Brach (29) and catcher Tom‡s Nido (3) react after defeating the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Brach

14 walks in 12.1 innings was the story. In September in particular, Brach could not find the strike zone. In two of his final three outings Brach walked all three batters he faced. That’s just unacceptable. Brach has always had a walk problem but never like this. He had a 5.84 ERA this season after his bout with COVID-19.  He has a $1.25 Million Dollar player option which he will likely accept. Next season, he will have to find the strike zone to be a part of this bullpen.

Grade: D

Robinson Chirinos

Chirinos was trded to the Mets at the deadline for reasons I won’t ever understand. He slashed .219/.242/.375 as a Met with one home run in 32 at-bats as a Met. The way Tomas Nido played should give him the opportunity to be the backup catcher next season, so hopefully Chirinos won’t be back.

Grade: D

Rick Porcello

The 2016 American League Cy Young Award winner signed a one year $10 Million Dollar deal this offseason to be in the back of the rotation for the Mets. Due to the Syndergaard injury and the Stroman opt-out, Porcello was pushed up to be the third starter. The one thing he did well was make every start. He was the only Met to do that. Other than that, it was an awful season for the lifelong Mets fan. Porcello went 1-7 with a 5.64 ERA in his 12 starts this season. What bumped his grade from an F to a D- was his second to last start of the season. He went seven innings and allowed one run with 10 strikeouts in a loss to the Braves. The signing made no sense after he had the highest ERA of all qualified starters in the American League last year, and it shouldn’t be too shocking that he wasn’t productive.

Grade: D-

Schedule