The New York Mets have popped up a lot this offseason.
Whether it be bidding for big name free agents or being included in trade rumours, the Mets have constantly been looking to improve their roster.
While their major move for Carlos Correa may have fallen through, the team landed a number of other players throughout free agency.
After a disappointing end to the 2022 season, has their roster improved?
Here are two ways it has, and why fans should be confident heading into 2023.
2. Starting Rotation Additions
When losing Taijuan Walker, Chris Bassitt, and Jacob deGrom in free agency, it is assumed that a team’s starting rotation got significantly worse.
However, the Mets made some moves to ease those losses.
The most notable was bringing in Justin Verlander, who fills the absence of deGrom well.
He tends to be more healthy than deGrom while also putting up similar numbers.
The Mets were also able to sign Jose Quintana, who quietly posted a 2.93 ERA last year.
Finally, they signed Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga to round out the rotation, an arm that many people are high on.
Kodai Senga, 99mph Fastball and 84mph Slider, Single Pitches + Overlay. pic.twitter.com/nF60sUBvED
—Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) November 2, 2022
While he is unproven in MLB, he flashed well above average stuff in Japan.
Put all of this together, and the Mets didn’t necessarily get hurt in their pitching staff losses.
1.Bullpen Help
Edwin Diaz was the heart and soul of the Mets’ bullpen and they were able to hang onto him.
That alone is a major offseason move.
However, the Mets were able to insert some pieces around him.
They signed veteran David Robertson, who has experience pitching in New York and continues to produce.
🔥 4th straight win
🔥 3rd straight series win
🔥 1.72 ERA for David Robertson pic.twitter.com/6E7vGPX6jv—Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 3, 2022
On the trade market, they picked up lefty reliever Brooks Raley from the Tampa Bay Rays.
I posted 2.68 ERA last season.
Put these moves together with an already deep bullpen, and the Mets have formidable options to provide support for their starting pitching.
If their lineup can perform at a high level like many expect them to, expect their new additions to slide right in to help boost this roster and potentially push them over the top.
