As the 2024 season continues for the New York Mets, they could use some good starting pitchers. Many Mets pitchers have been shaky on the mound. Jose Quintana, Adrian Houser, and Christian Scott present some interesting questions. These three pitchers could define a big part of the Mets’ season, especially as Quintana and other pitches enter free agency next season. What the Mets have done this season is simple: they have changed and experimented and could do that much more. One way to do that is to consider moving on from Jose Quintana by designating him for assignment.
The Mets Should Move On From Jose Quintana
The 35-year-old has gone from okay in his first starts to needing a lot of help in his next starts. The left-hander was on the hook for a loss on Sunday before a ninth-inning comeback. Although Quintana had a nice 2023 season and a nice beginning to the 2024 season, ever since playing the Tampa Bay Rays, Quintana has been unable to turn things around. The Mets should be able to find a pitcher to replace Quintana. If they want real stability, they can’t let Quintana continue to damage them unless he turns himself around. So, the Mets should consider DFA’ing him.
Carlos Mendoza was vague when asked about Christian Scott’s potential return to majors (eligible 6/15)
Mendoza said Mets would stay with 5-man rotation for now, but noted Scott will be back
Of note is Jose Quintana over last 7 starts:
7.14 ERA
4.0 & 3.2 IP in last 2 starts— Danny Abriano (@DannyAbriano) June 11, 2024
Keep Adrian Houser Around
Although Adrian Houser looked like a good starter at the beginning of the year, the Mets eventually removed him from the starting rotation. When Houser started for New York, he would usually not run into trouble until the 3rd or 4th inning. This means he could be a big solution for a hurt bullpen. Houser should not be used in situations when there is a jam, but he can be used to eat the 7th and 8th before the Mets can bring in one of their big-name relievers for the later innings.
Houser was, and still is for now, a failed starter, but the Mets could call upon him to help the bullpen massively. He presents as a starter at the end of a game, a pitcher who struggles but can get through an inning or two unharmed, He could contribute more than a shorter-term reliever.
Bring Up Christian Scott
The Mets sent down Christian Scott along with Brett Baty to Triple-A. Fan expected Scott would be right back up to reinforce the starting rotation, but so far, the Mets have kept Scott down in Triple-A. Perhaps the Mets want to give guys like David Peterson and Tylor Megill a chance, but Christian Scott, who made his MLB debut last month could be something special for New York. He could provide the Mets with some needed insurance for the starting rotation, which still, at times, seems rocky. Expect Scott to be brought up at some point this season again as he has become a rising star for New York.
Overall, the Mets need stability in the starting rotation and bullpen; New York could use men like Scott and Houser to help with stability. The Mets have also been unafraid to pull the trigger, so they should be unafraid to move on from Jose Quintana if necessary.
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