The New York Mets roster is loaded with high-quality talent, but their starting rotation has been a major issue all season, and may ultimately be the reason the Mets don’t accomplish all that they want to.
As October looms, and New York is in the middle of a tight NL Wild Card race, they are relying on young starters Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong to take the ball every fifth day and be reliable.
This is a cause for slight concern, as those arms are young and susceptible at times. For this reason, New York must target starting pitching this offseason.
Will the Mets target Ranger Suarez?
The Phillies have a plethora of depth starters in their rotation, with Ranger Suarez set to be one of the biggest starters on the market.
New York will have to make a couple big splashes in the starting pitching market this Winter, and Ranger Suarez could be at the top of the list.
Suarez has proved his worth this season to potential suitors by going 12-6, with a 2.84 ERA in 149 innings, and a bWAR of 5.2, which is CY Young caliber for a starter.
He’s reliable, avoids hard contact, knows how to get himself out of trouble, and does not walk people. Suarez’s BB/9 sits at 2.2.
Now, since Suarez is hitting the open market, it’s not like a trade or a declined option where he would be leaving the Phillies for an NL East rival club. If the Mets offer the most money and the best long-term contract, Suarez may have no problem leaving the Phillies. He is 30 years old, and this is likely his only opportunity for a lucrative, long-term deal.
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