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Mets Monday Morning GM: 3 offseason additions working out far better than expected
These three offseason additions by the New York Mets have worked out better than anyone predicted.
Billy Eppler has gotten a lashing on social media this year. It’s part of the job description when you sign up to become a major league general manager. He has made it easy this year to get criticized by the New York Mets fans. Despite a glimmer of hope in July, the team has underperformed as a whole.
Fortunately, not everything Eppler decided in the offseason has been atrocious. Three moves stand out as major wins for the Mets’ GM. It’s only fair to acknowledge at the unofficial midpoint of the year how right he was in adding these three players who’ve been much better than anyone could’ve expected.
1) All-Star Kodai Senga has been the best starting pitcher for the NY Mets
Is Kodai Senga an ace, a number three, or a back-of-the-rotation arm? It’s something we wondered when he was signed by the Mets this offseason. The Mets didn’t need him to be an ace and based on his early performance, he’s not quite there. However, he has been the best starter for them so far in 2023 and even became an All-Star as a replacement.
Senga leads the starters with a 3.31 ERA. Aside from his high walk rate, which is down to 4.7 per 9 right now, there hasn’t been much to complain about with him.
The biggest mark against Senga might be how necessary it seems to be for him to have the extra day of rest. Because the Mets haven’t gotten quite enough out of David Peterson or Tylor Megill this season, they’ve had to be a little more careful with when Senga starts.
Senga’s last start before the break served as a reminder of how good he can be. After the Mets were just 1-4 in June starts when Senga toed the rubber, his 8 inning effort against the Arizona Diamondbacks sealed the deal on a job well done.
When things are going well for Senga, it’s hard to imagine a pitcher being much better. His 12 strikeout games against the Tampa Bay Rays and Diamondbacks top the list of achievements. Let’s not forget the one-hit, no walks, 9 strikeout game versus the Philadelphia Phillies either.
2) The NY Mets never could’ve imagined they’d get this much from Tommy Pham
Everybody’s new favorite member of the Mets they never thought they’d adore so much, Tommy Pham has been a delightful addition to this year’s roster. He has essentially bumped Mark Canha from a full-time gig while taking away at-bats from others who have underperformed.
Pham was originally thought of as the right-handed DH platoon partner of Daniel Vogelbach. That lasted maybe a month and a half. Pham has been red hot for weeks. He’s either going to end up as one of the team’s better trade chips or someone we’ll ride out the season with hoping the fire never goes out.
In the final game before the break, Pham exited early but not before putting together a .277/.350/.485 performance in the first half of the year. His 9 home runs and 34 RBI have been a treat for us all. Each ranks fifth on the roster.
Pham wasn’t the backup plan for the Mets in the offseason. He seemed more like a last resort type of addition. Effective against lefties and righties, slashing .272/.358/.556 versus southpaws and .280/.345/.440 against right-handed arms, Pham is helping his in-season trade value and future free agent stock. He had to settle on a one-year deal with the Mets during the winter months. Next season, a team could view him a little more favorably.
The Pham Family may soon have some new renovations on their home.
3) The NY Mets trade for Brooks Raley has worked out incredibly well
The Mets were more low-key with their trades this offseason. Who wants to help out Steve Cohen anyway? Their strength is with the almighty dollar. It’s why free agency is how the 2023 roster was built with a few exceptions.
One is the addition of Brooks Raley. Acquired via trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, the lefty reliever has gained the trust of fans. Only closer David Robertson might have more of it right now.
Raley’s time with the Mets didn’t start off so great. He got the snot beat out of him in an early game against the Milwaukee Brewers as did the rest of the ball club. He has been fantastic ever since with only the occasional mishap.
In 31.1 innings of work, Raley is 1-1 with a 2.30 ERA. He hasn’t been a traditional lefty reliever with left-handed hitters batting .267 against him in the first half of the season. This is probably for the better anyway. The Mets could use as many high-leverage innings from him against batters from both sides of the plate. The LOOGY is a relic.
Raley has helped save the Mets from what has been a disappointing year from Adam Ottavino. More of a seventh inning pitcher than the final bridge to Robertson in the ninth, he has met the highest expectations anyone could’ve set for him in the preseason.
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