Scouting the Mets' starting rotation for 2022
Chris Bassitt pitches in the first inning of the Mets' spring game against the Miami Marlins on April 3, 2022. Credit: AP/Sue Ogrocki
For the 2022 Mets, the rotation is representative of the roster at large: immense talent, some uncertainty and a wide range of possible outcomes.
They have Jacob deGrom, the best pitcher in the world, albeit not at the start as he recovers from another injury. And Max Scherzer, an even more accomplished co-ace, right behind him. And Chris Bassitt, who would be the No. 1 pitcher for other clubs, slotted into the middle. And Taijuan Walker, another 2021 All-Star, filling out the fourth spot. And Carlos Carrasco, extremely reliable for the better part of the past decade, rounding out the big five.
It is a collection of arms that inspires awe — and one-liners.
“I know there’s going to be my fair share of games where I’m going to be out there being a spectator,” first baseman Pete Alonso said, “because they’re going to be mowing them down.”
Tylor Megill, squeezed out by offseason acquisitions, observed in a plain, understated way: “Obviously, they have experience and Cy Youngs and whatnot.”
And an AL scout, feigning surprise that the Mets wouldn’t add another starter: “What? They’re not going to get an ace for the No. 5 spot?”
All that is the optimistic view, with plenty of reason. But there is a flip side.
DeGrom missed the second half of last season because of arm injuries, including elbow problems, and he will miss the first couple of months of this season because of a stress reaction in his right scapula. Scherzer finished last year with a fatigued arm, and enters the new year with a right hamstring issue, and at some point the 37-year-old will lose to Father Time. Walker was terrible late last season. Carrasco was hurt most of 2021, then pitched poorly when he returned.
Reality, surely, will be somewhere in between idealistic and fatalistic. And it will be pitching coach Jeremy Hefner’s job to ensure that it is closer to the former of those options.
“It’s hard not to be excited,” he said. “Exciting comes to mind. Grateful comes to mind. I have an opportunity to learn from some really, really Hall of Fame pitchers. And then a lot of guys that have a lot of time and have seen a lot of games and a lot of hitters.”
In working with deGrom, whom he has known for a decade, and Scherzer, whom he is getting to know, Hefner said he does less hardcore coaching and more “learning and observing.”
“Both of those guys are some of the best to ever do it. It’s more me observing, watching, having conversations and not so much, ‘Hey, you need to keep your front shoulder in,’ ” he said. “As we learn each other, I might have some things that I can offer [Scherzer]. But he’s one of the greatest of all time. There isn’t much that I’m going to teach him.”
GRADE: B+
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
