Mets’ newfound rotation depth could become surprising strength

PORT ST. LUCIE When folks around here are quizzed about the Mets greatest strength, they could obviously answer the presence of Pete Alonso, whos hit more home runs than anyone since entering the league.

Or they could mention the all-around game and gloriousness of shortstop Francisco Lindor, who entered the rarefied 30-30 territory last year.

Yet, at least in the first days in Mets camp, the raves are mostly reserved for the vastly improved rotation depth, which has been transformed from the very depths of the league to extremely solid, maybe even better than that. The turnaround is that stunning.

No doubt, the depth is good, definitely better than where we were last year, veteran reliever Adam Ottavino said. I think theres more in place to handle stuff when things are not going perfectly. Theres not as many so-called sure things. But theres more in place for the inevitable stuff that happens.

Stuff happens to everyone, but especially to the Mets, whose star-crossed history is well into its seventh decade. The enviable depth is a blessing, especially when you consider where they started.

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3Luis Severino is hoping for a bounceback season with the Mets. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConWhen new baseball president David Stearns began his first Mets winter he had only two-fifths of a rotation just new ace Kodai Senga, who was a revelation last year, plus reliable veteran lefty Jose Quintana. Thats only a nice start, but it obviously wouldnt cut it in the NL East where hitting stars like 40-70 man Ronald Acua and Bryce Harper reside. So Stearns went to work.

We know that unexpected things pop up, especially with starting pitchers, Stearns said. The goal is to have enough major league starters to get you through those stretches.

It was quite a trick to get there. Despite the noticeable lack of proven rotation pieces to start things, the Mets already toted the majors highest payroll, thanks to the record in dead money following the trades of the Cooperstown-bound pair of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer for prospects. The key was finding talent on reasonable, short-term deals. And Stearns did just that, adding three rotation-worthy starters on a relative shoestring ($46.05M total if Sean Manaea doesnt opt out and stays both seasons yes, even shoestrings arent all that cheap in MLB these days.)

Stearns is going to take unfair heat from fans for not spending Steve Cohens largesse when they did really need to take half a breather after a year that turned out to be a seven-month money pit. Even billionaires understandably like to avoid annual tax bills of $100M theirs was $101M in 2023 especially when the money only goes to lesser billionaires, who arent exactly needy causes themselves.

Cohen did give Stearns the go-ahead to try one high-profile flyer on megastar Japanese free agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who fit the Mets long-range plans since hes only 25. Stearns loved him, but it turns out everyone else did, too, and it shouldnt surprise anyone he picked the Dodgers, who offered the same $325M, plus a $50M signing bonus the Mets didnt offer, plus the opportunity to play with Shohei Ohtani on the most star-studded team in years.

3New Mets pitcher Sean Manaea throws live batting practice at Spring Training, Corey Sipkin for the NY POSTThat obviously hurt. But considering the overall objective, Stearns still hit a grand slam, reasonably adding serious depth while maintaining tremendous flexibility. As of today, the Mets look like they have more rotation options than most, possibly even the crosstown Yankees, who have their usual World Series aspirations along with many starting concerns.

Stearns first move was to sign longtime Yankee Luis Severino, who brings terrific talent, a positive presence and some new ideas about how to curtail his purported pitch-tipping issue. Severino said he spent the winter viewing video and believes he found the culprit: It occurs on his breaking pitches with men on base.

This is the big leagues. Ive got to clean it up, Severino declared.

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