Mets Offseason Leaves 'Significant Uncertainty' at This Position

Despite their busy offseason of adding talent, there are major question marks at this position for the New York Mets.

Oct 13, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga (34) reacts against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in game one of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

If people knew during spring training last year that Kodai Senga was going to miss essentially the entire 2024 regular season, it's hard to imagine anyone predicting that the New York Mets' starting rotation would be one of their strengths.

But that's what ended up being the case. The Mets starting pitchers' collective 3.91 ERA in the regular season was 12th best in MLB, while also being 5th in the league in innings pitched (892.2). This success was largely owed to Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, Jose Quintana, and David Peterson.

David Peterson says it was "exciting" to start for the Mets today:

"It's a huge honor and a privilege to be able to get the ball in those situations. I don't take them lightly." pic.twitter.com/8i8pabTWpY

— SNY (@SNYtv) October 19, 2024

However, one of those starters (Severino) has already signed elsewhere while another (Quintana) seems highly unlikely to return to Queens. This is one of the main reasons why SNY MLB writer John Harper alluded to questions about the Mets' 2025 rotation in a February 9 article.

"Finally, the opinions on the Mets varied, primarily based on the state of their starting rotation that has significant uncertainty: Kodai Senga coming off a lost year, Frankie Montas hoping to find his form from a few years ago in his second full season after shoulder surgery, Clay Holmes transitioning from reliever to starter and David Peterson looking to build on something of a breakout season (though his total of 121 innings was his career high)," Harper wrote.

The article also quoted an anonymous scout saying, “I like their team, but I honestly am not sure what to make of that rotation."

Although another anonymous executive added, “[David Stearns] proven he can evaluate pitching. He did it in Milwaukee and he did it last year with the Mets. I’ve heard good things about (pitching coach Jeremy) Hefner as well. Look, David still has ties to Milwaukee.

"He had to hear some good things about the changes Montas made after he was traded to the Brewers last year to commit those kind of dollars (two years, $34 million) to him."

Scouts and execs weigh in on where the Mets stand among the NL East's top three contenders entering the 2025 season (via @NYNJHarper) https://t.co/XyXmPU2zZN pic.twitter.com/DaYeE6ImPH

— SNY (@SNYtv) February 9, 2025

It sounds like the jury is still out on how the Mets' rotation will fare in 2025. But given the improvements they've made to their lineup, the staff replicating last season's success could suggest a deep playoff run.