3 Mets roster experiments to try after the trade deadline
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The New York Mets have a slim chance of making the postseason. The team has been underperforming throughout the season, showing deficiencies in different areas of the game that have prevented them from reaching their expected potential.
Approaching the trade deadline, the Mets look inclined to possibly sell those players with little control who would be free agents after this season. As soon as these events happen, the team should design strategies to test players and lighten the load on others in their search to define what the needs to cover would be to be competitive in 2024.
1) The Mets should implement a six-man rotation for the remainder of the year
The Mets' rotation has been arguably the biggest disappointment all season. Designed to be potentially the best rotation in baseball, led by two future Hall of Famers pitchers, the starting staff failed to display the consistency needed to put the team in an advantageous position in 2023.
With the possible departure of Carlos Carrasco for the trade deadline, the Mets must redefine their rotation for the remainder of this season and lighten the time-to-time load on their starters, especially Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and Kodai Senga. Among these, Scherzer seems to be the pitcher who needs the longest to rediscover his slider, who is being hit three times as hard as last season, and whose swing and miss capacity has decreased by almost 15 points.
In an experimental scenario, the Mets must choose a six-pitcher rotation, being able to achieve several goals with this decision. By this action, the team will take care of the arms of Verlander, Scherzer, and Senga, who, due to age and history of injury risks, while being able to test other pitchers on their farm and thus evaluate what they have in 2024.
David Peterson or Joey Lucchesi could immediately take over Carlos Carrasco's spot, and additionally, the team can call up Mike Vasil to complete the six-pitcher rotation. This would be an important decision to understand if Vasil has the repertoire capable of being relevant in 2024 or if the front office will find it necessary to acquire a starter in the next free agency.
2) The Mets should call up Ronny Mauricio and rotate him along with Brett Baty between left field and third base
The anticipated arrival of Ronny Mauricio to MLB by the fans may have an end. The team probably call up Mauricio after the sale of some players at the trade deadline.
Mauricio's appearance in MLB is essential to the short-term plans of the Mets organization. Defining whether the offense that he has shown to date in AAA can be transferred against MLB pitchers will provide clarity to the front office about his needs for 2024.
However, the most important aspect of Mauricio's game may be positional. In the minors, he has been playing between second base and left field to find him a fixed position and have him in the lineup every day.
The Mets should consider experimenting with playing Mauricio and Bret Batty between third base and left field for the remainder of the season for several reasons. Mauricio is a shortstop who has a better range and instinct to play third base than any other position. Additionally, in terms of fielding percentage, Baty demonstrated in the minors he can handle the left field position better than Mauricio has shown so far, although both have the arm to play both positions.
This decision would give the organization a clear direction as to which player is best suited for each position, leaving second base to Jeff McNeil, which is his natural position and where he plays best. This experiment can give Baty and Mauricio a daily spot in the 2024 lineup without having to sacrifice any of them or other players to get out of their natural positions.
3) The Mets should call up Jose Butto and test him as a high-leverage situation reliever
Within the tests that the Mets must carry out this season to determine their needs for next year, the bullpen emerges as one of the most complicated areas. All season long, Mets relievers not named David Robertson or Brooks Raley have been unable to put up consistent game-winning performances.
With the possible departure of Robertson for the trade deadline, the Mets must be more creative in the use of their bullpen to test the arms they have for 2024. In this sense, Jose Butto emerges as an interesting option within the organization's farm system.
The No. 15 prospect in the Mets organization has seen action in MLB but hasn't been able to translate his success in the minors to the big team. This may be because he has been tested as a starter which, due to his arsenal and stamina, is perhaps not the best decision.
Butto is a pitcher who owns four pitches, and only two of them are consistently good. His change-up is the best among the pitchers in the Mets' farm system, and his fastball averages 92-95 mph and can reach 97 mph.
The limited arsenal of efficient pitches limits his potential as a starter. Additionally, his fastball begins to lose speed and location as his performance progresses in each game losing stamina and control.
However, the combination of his fastball being used less each game along with his excellent change-up can be a lethal weapon in the bullpen, especially as a multi-inning and high-leverage situation reliever. This would give the Mets a taste of whether the combined potential of this arsenal of their prospect is enough to succeed in MLB and be a viable option for 2024.
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