Back in July, with top pitching prospectsBrandon Sproat and Nolan McLeanexcelling for Triple-A Syracuse, the Mets -- who were down multiple starting pitchers at the time -- opted to deploy a handful of bullpen games, which cost them in a big way.
The reasoning at the time, which was fair enough, was that they didn't want to use one of their most prized prospects for a spot-start.
Once the pitching staff became whole again, there were still question marks due to Clay Holmes' transition from relief to starting, Sean Manaea's elbow, and Frankie Montas' struggles.
But the Mets didn't add a starting pitcher at the trade deadline.
President of baseball operations David Stearns explained that while they were engaged in the market, most of the impact pitchers who were rumored to be available were not dealt -- a group that included Sandy Alcantara, Dylan Cease, and Edward Cabrera.
So while the Mets certainly could've used a reinforcement for the staff, it's understandable why they didn't pounce -- especially given the fact that Sproat and McLean are so close to contributing.
And speaking in the hours after the deadline passed, Stearns said the team was prepared to turn to Sproat and McLean down the stretch if needed.
"They can help. It’s just a matter of their continued development and when the opportunity does arise, is it the right time," Stearns said. "Both guys have taken very nice steps forward in their development. We’re going to continue to challenge them. We’re going to continue to ask them to get better and work on things. They are doing a good job. If we need someone from Triple-A, we’ve got people down (there) and they are among them who can help us."
Following Montas' disastrous outing on Sunday against the Giants, the time is now to call on Sproat or McLean.
Against San Francisco, Montas was mostly non-competitive, allowing seven runs in 4.0 innings, including a back-breaking three-run homer to Rafael Devers in the third inning. With the game still within reach, Montas was touched up for three more runs in the fourth inning, effectively ending any chance the Mets had to come back.
Montas now has a 6.68 ERA and 1.54 WHIP through seven starts this season. And while there's a chance he turns it around if the Mets keep going to him, they really can't afford to take the risk with a pitcher who has allowed 11.2 hits per nine and whose FIP (5.07) suggests this isn't bad luck.
A look at Montas' advanced stats shows a pitcher who has done a good job getting batters to chase and who has been a bit above average when it comes to limiting hard contact. But they also show a pitcher whose stuff -- while tantalizing at times -- has graded out near the bottom of the league.
Montas is also among the worst in the league in xERA, xBA, and barrel percentage, and he's simply not missing enough bats -- his strikeout rate is just 7.8 per nine.
During a season where the Mets are scratching and clawing with the Phillies for the NL East title, and following a trade deadline where they were incredibly aggressive while trading for late-inning relievers Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, and Gregory Soto, decisive action is needed.
That action should be the immediate removal of Montas from the rotation, with the team sliding him to the bullpen to take the revolving door role that has been held by Rico Garcia and Austin Warren in recent days.
Speaking after Sunday's game, manager Carlos Mendoza didn't give a yes or no regarding Montas' future in the rotation.
"I mean we just got done with the game here," Mendoza said. "He's got to be better and he knows that."
The above kind of quote is usually code for a team that is prepared to remove a starter from the rotation or truly doesn't yet know which direction they'll turn.
If Montas' spot in the rotation was safe, Mendoza almost certainly would've said so.
Montas' next start would likely be on Saturday, Aug. 9 against the Brewers in Milwaukee.
Sproat, who has usually been pitching with five-days rest, would likely be lined up to make his next start on Aug. 6 or 7.
McLean, who has also ordinarily been pitching with five-days rest, would likely be lined up to make his next start on Aug. 5 or 6.
While the days don't line up perfectly, one thing the Mets could conceivably do is have Sproat or McLean start on Friday, Aug. 8 against the Brewers. That's because Mets off days on Thursday and next Monday mean they can tweak their rotation a bit, maybe doing something like this over the weekend:
Monday against the Guardians: Sean Manaea
Tuesday against the Guardians: Clay Holmes
Wednesday against the Guardians: David Peterson
Friday against the Brewers: Brandon Sproat or Nolan McLean
Saturday against the Brewers: Kodai Senga (on six-days rest)
Sunday against the Brewers: Manaea (on five-days rest)
The Mets could also simply keep everyone else on their regular turn and give Sproat or McLean even more extra rest.
Either way, the time has come to turn to one of them.
Sproat, leaning heavily on a fastball that has reached 100 mph, has allowed just two runs over his last six starts -- a span of 33.0 innings. He has struck out 39 batters during that span.
McLean has been terrific all season and features a dastardly sweeper to go along with a mid-90s fastball. In 104.0 innings this season for Double-A Binghamton and Syracuse, McLean has a 2.94 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 113 strikeouts.
To be clear, the Mets would not be turning to either Sproat or McLean with the expectation that they'll be a savior.
Yes, both pitchers have the ability to eventually pitch near the top of a big league rotation. But that's not what the Mets can expect now. Nor is it what they even need.
What they need is someone who can take the ball every fifth day and give them a better chance to win than Montas is giving them. And it's fair to believe either Sproat or McLean is ready to do that.
