The Met's have a chance to go back to the World Series this season, though Chris Saunders discusses how the Met's should handle to workload of a season for their staring pitchers, to make another deep postseason run.
Article
by Chris Saunders
One of the merits of
the Mets playing so deep into the season is that it makes for a very quick
off-season. It’s crazy to imagine that spring training has already begun with
some clubs already playing games against college or other minor league teams.
Even with all the
hype of last year’s dream season, one does need to pump the brakes a little.
Yes, Mets fans, I’m talking to ALL of you! The only reason why the Mets even made it as
far in the Fall Classic was because the rotation carried the offense for a
majority of the season! That begs the question: How will the Mets manage workloads for their
starting pitchers, all of whom threw into unchartered territory from an innings
perspective in 2015?
Typically, the
organization prefers its young starters to have a net increase of 30 innings
over their previous full year. Due to injury, Steven Matz saw
the lowest net increase from his innings count last year. Jacbo deGrom went
modestly above that 30-inning preference by about eight innings, although
Terry Collins suspected deGrom (who was suffering from fatigue at times in
September and October) threw above his previous innings high (+37 1/3 innings).
Like deGrom, Matt Harvey also went
modestly above the 30-inning preference from his previous high. Some late-season
controversy arose when both Harvey and his agent questioned the hard 180-inning
cap, inclusive of the postseason, as he was coming off Tommy John Surgery. Their
concern was unfounded, however, when Harvey went 36 innings above that
threshold. Further evidence of not only
his determination but also his heart and belief in his ability was his epic
performance in Game 5 of the World Series. That doesn’t mean there can’t be
ramifications. The concern from Harvey and his agent was genuine and
understandable, and he threw well above expected levels despite having just had
major elbow surgery the previous year. Fortunately, he is now two years removed
from the procedure itself, which can only help his particular circumstance. First and foremost, Harvey does need rest, no
matter what he thinks.
Noah
Syndergaard went well above the
30-inning preference, doubling his efforts (+65 2/3) , and he only seemed to get better
with each start he made down the stretch and in the postseason as well. That
doesn’t mean the Mets shouldn’t tread lightly with Syndergaard. It’s worth
considering that Zack Wheeler is on-track to return at around the All-Star
break. Given that time frame, he should not be under an innings limit coming
back from his injury. This could possibly
allow the Mets to give Syndergaard
additional rest and keep him healthy throughout his career. No matter
how he looked, he endured a lot of extra mileage on both his arm and his body,
thanks to his postseason workload, and that cannot be overlooked.
The coaches have
assured Mets' fans that they have no reason to be worried, though. They have a
plan on how to manage their pitchers not only through this winter, but in
spring training as well. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Dan Warthen said the plan is to delay all of their
throwing and preparation programs in spring training, and not have them
throw in Grapefruit League games until later in March. “They wouldn’t miss any
starts [in April], but we may wait until later in spring training for them to
start throwing,” pitching coach Dan Warthen told Puma.
Having said that,
they could choose to use Wheeler at times to skip starts for their other starting
pitchers and insert Barolo Colon back into the rotation. Colon will presumably be dispatched to the
bullpen once Wheeler returns. That way, they can avoid using a six-man
rotation, keep everyone in a routine, maintain stamina and agility, and keep
everyone happy in the process. It's a tricky circumstance and one with which either
the staff or the pitchers have experience. That’s not a bad thing, considering
they just played in a World Series. Given the short off-season and the need for
particular players to heal and be ready for the season plus be ready for
another 162-game run relatively soon, it’s going to take some unconventional
thinking and execution. All this really
begins now!
Beware of what you
wish for, Mets fans, because while getting to the Fall Classic and reaching the
World Series is expected now, remember this…there are consequences to achieving
that goal!
Comment- Twitter- @C_Broadcaster, Facebook- Chris
Saunders, Email Chrisweather16@yahoo.com
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