So, there’s this.
A Joel Sherman New York Post article suggests that the battle between Steven Matz and Michael Wacha for the fifth spot in the rotation may not be a battle at all.
The Mets may want choose their fifth starter on a game to game basis. They may even want to travel further outside the box and employ “openers” such as Seth Lugo or Robert Gsellman, and then have Wacha or Matz pitch afterwards.
Ok. I have a couple thoughts.
STEVEN MATZ IS THE FOURTH BEST STARTING PITCHER ON THE TEAM.
It’s really as simple as that. Put him in the rotation. Rick Porcello’s ten million dollar contract has guaranteed him a spot, but make no mistake, Steven Matz is the fourth best starting pitcher on this team.
WHO DO YOU TRUST TO BE AN OPENER BESIDES SETH LUGO?
We are hoping that Familia, Betances and Diaz lock down the 7th, 8th and 9th. Justin Wilson? I know the three batter minimum is going to effect but it would be nice to have our only lefty available, no?
That’s pretty much it. Oh, one more thing.
THE METS PROMISED MICHAEL WACHA HE WOULD BE A STARTER.
Why would the Mets promise one of the worst qualified pitchers in baseball last season a spot in the starting rotation?
Wacha has a very uniquely structured contract. He has incentive bonuses all over the place for number of starts and relief appearances as well.
Wacha also accumulates one point for every relief appearance of three innings or more. At seven different point totals beginning with 10 and ending at 30, Wacha would receive $500,000 each.
I don’t know what to make of all this. But Michael Wacha is telling everyone who will listen that the Mets told him he was going to start, and he expects them to follow through on that promise.
I could be getting myself worked up over nothing. For now, let’s assume the Mets will do what’s best for the team.
Also, Devin Mesoraco can tell Wacha a thing or two about preseason promises from the Mets. 🤷♂️
In closing…