Mets hint that they won't trade for a starting pitcher

What was one of the best New York Mets relievers doing pitching three innings in a 15-2 win? Jose Butto finished off the Mets victory and after the game Carlos Mendoza dropped a hint that perhaps a move back to the rotation will happen for Butto after the trade deadline.

Butto was asked about his role after the game and like everyone else, doesn’t have a clear answer as to what’s next for him.

The number of available starting pitchers has thinned with players like Erick Fedde and Yusei Kikuchi already changing teams. There’s still a big swing for Blake Snell available should they choose to pursue. Now 12 hours away from the MLB trade deadline, our expectation should be for the Mets to focus on the bullpen while transitioning back into a starter’s role.

The Mets don’t appear willing to pay the large asking price for quality starting pitching

Fedde didn’t seem attainable. Acquired by the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-team swap also involving the Los Angeles Dodgers, he’ll join one of the teams vying for a Wild Card spot. So will Tommy Pham who was included in the deal as well.

The cost the Cardinals paid was Tommy Edman and prospect Oliver Gonzalez who go to the Los Angeles Dodgers. It seems like a no-brainer deal for the Cardinals to pull off. If there is any opportunity the Mets might’ve missed, it’s the one to get Fedde.

The Mets haven’t budged yet on selling major prospects and that’s going to irk fans the closer we get to 6pm. While we all have our favorites we don’t think the Mets should sell, resting with what they already have isn’t going to work. The likeliest ending has them adding a relief pitcher and turning to Butto for help in the rotation.

This does raise another question, though. Who then becomes the long man in the bullpen? Unnecessary in some ways, the Mets have turned to Butto, Reed Garrett, and others for multiple high-leverage innings. For a couple of months, it was Adrian Houser mopping up. It’s not a role that is required but one the Mets pitching staff has depended on.