Mets Shake Up Pitching Staff with Bullpen Move
The New York Mets, in the midst of an eight-game losing streak, are contemplating a significant shift in their rotation. As of now, they plan to start Clay Holmes this Tuesday, which would be in place of Sean Manaea’s normal turn in the rotation. This opened the door for a “piggypack” appearance for the ace of last year’s staff. He could either come in after Holmes as a long reliever or later in the week after an opener.
For a pitcher with Manaea's resume, the transition would be notable. Having made over 200 starts in his career, and fresh off signing a three-year $75 million deal this offseason. He was resigned after his performance last season with the goal of being a rotation staple. Making 32 starts and tying a career-high with 12 wins. Manaea's 2024 season stats, with a 3.47 ERA, 184 strikeouts, and 1.08 WHIP over 181.2 innings, show he can be a productive pitcher. However, his recent performance has been inconsistent, which leaves the Mets looking for a way to maximize his effectiveness.
This piggybacking/opener strategy would allow Manaea to be more aggressive while maximizing his repertoire. Mainly because he would at most need to go through the lineup twice. Allowing the manager the freedom to choose when to put Manaea in the game gives him the freedom to pick the best opportunities or pitching lanes. These favorable matchups might be just the thing needed to get Manaea going.
As far as how this move impacts the rest of the pitching staff. It allows them to go back to a five-man rotation. This allows them to get their more effective starters the most innings. As of now, their rotation is made up of veterans Clay Holmes and David Peterson. In addition to recent rookie call-ups, Jonah Tong, Brandon Sproat, and Nolan McLean. Ultimately, this is a calculated risk by the Mets' front office. It's an acknowledgment that, as currently constructed, their rotation is not sufficient for a deep playoff run. By augmenting Manaea’s role and getting more innings from their more effective arms, it hopefully lends them an edge in the remaining National League Wild Card race as well as a potential postseason run.
