NY Mets messed up by not adding more pitching at trade deadline

The New York Mets starting pitching is a huge concern after several notable injuries and subpar performances in the second half. Should they have done more to address it at the trade deadline?

The Mets traded For Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Rich Hill, and Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Trevor Williams, but it wasn’t enough. They missed an opportunity to improve, especially considering the latest MRI on Jacob deGrom revealed elbow inflammation. He will be shut down until at least September.

Rich Hill looked great in his Mets debut giving up one run across five innings, but he gave up four runs in five innings last night. In reality, he’s nothing more than a five-six inning pitcher.

His numbers were going the wrong way before the Mets acquired him, and the lefty is much better suited to be in the back of the rotation. At 41 years old he also has durability issues, due to various injuries. He hasn’t pitched 135 innings since 2018. His career-high is 195 all the way back in 2007. Trevor Williams hasn’t been good this year, and he doesn’t have a good track record with a career ERA of 4.49 throughout seasons. He is a 5th starter at best and shouldn’t be given the ball in a postseason series.

Of course, Cubs SS/2B Javier Baez was the price in this package, but the Mets should’ve pushed harder to at least acquire Cubs pitcher Zach Davies who has a much better track record than Williams with an ERA of 3.89 in seven seasons. Kyle Hendricks was never a realistic option considering the Cubs didn’t trade him. The Asking price for Minnesota Twins José Berríos was astronomical. Ironically, the Toronto Blue Jays used former Met pitching prospect Simeon Woods-Richardson and INF/OF Austin Martin who was the 5th pick in the 2020 draft to complete the deal.

Who will fill the rotation: Will the Mets injured guys return in time?

Although they should’ve pulled the trigger on another Twins pitcher, Kenta Maeda. It was reported the Twins wanted to attach Donaldson as well. Maeda would’ve been the most dependable option because he has proven to be effective in the postseason with an ERA under 3. The Mets could’ve penciled him as a game three or four starter with ease. Donaldson is having a decent year with 16 home runs, and he does have a flair for the dramatic. He has had several big postseason moments. If money held what this up the Mets Owner Steve Cohen should be ashamed because J.D Davis won’t even have a position once Francisco Lindor returns and Báez shifts to second base.

Carlos Carrasco made his first start yesterday which is great, but the options behind him and Marcus Stroman are extremely questionable. Taijuan Walker continued to regress giving up five runs in five innings against the Braves including two more home runs. His three starts in the second half have been abysmal, and his ERA has now risen to 3.71. Tylor Megill has been great in his rookie campaign, but he’s only pitched 35 innings. He’s posted an ERA just above two, and there’s hardly any guarantee he can keep this up.

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The one ace in the hole could be Noah Syndergaard, who has progressed in his rehab to the point of throwing off a mound last Tuesday. This should come with caution because Mets General Manager Zack Scott said he was approaching the deadline as if Syndergaard wouldn’t return. He still has a long way to go in his rehab and he only has two months to make It back. If he or deGrom suffers another setback their seasons will be effectively over. With all of this being considered it would’ve been wise for the Mets to trade for a more reliable starter.