NY Mets Monday Morning GM: 3 changes David Stearns will have a hard time selling fans

3) Failing to add an ace-quality starting pitcher is defining insanity

The Mets have some starting rotation work to do this coming year and the tricky thing is they don’t have an obvious open spot. Even if they have a six-man rotation on a regular basis, we can already expect Nolan McLean, Sean Manaea, David Peterson, Clay Holmes, and Kodai Senga to make up the main starting five. A move to the bullpen or trade opens up a spot for an ace to arrive. That’s the big challenge for Stearns to figure out.

There isn’t a world where the Mets go into next season with the same rotation. At least one change will take place. That means making a subtraction of some kind.

As far as aces go, obvious trade candidates include Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, and Sandy Alcantara. Free agency offers the Mets choices, too. None seem free of red flags and come with outrageous price tags.

It feels like the Mets already have an ace in McLean with questions about the others. Manaea and Senga pitched their way out of the rotation last year with Holmes bouncing between roles. Peterson was never moved to the bullpen, but had one of the weakest finishes of anyone on the roster. He flamed out big time.

Failing to add a truly impactful starting pitcher this offseason when several trade candidates and free agents are available will be malpractice.