By Adeniyi Precious 
The New York Mets were eyeing big names like Dylan Cease and Michael King to boost their rotation late in the offseason. But when the Padres shut down trade talks, the Mets didn’t panic. Instead, they leaned on their offseason work and internal development to keep their pitching staff strong.
Trusting the Process
Rather than scrambling for last-minute reinforcements, the Mets focused on what they already had. They brought in Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, Clay Holmes, Griffin Canning, and José Ureña, while also refining their in-house talent.
Mets president David Stearns acknowledged the usual injury setbacks but remained confident. “You never want injuries, but it’s part of the game. I’d prefer they didn’t happen before Spring Training, but I think we’re built to handle it,” he said.
Rotation Still Holding Up
Stearns has reason to be optimistic. Clay Holmes is settling into a starting role, Tylor Megill and David Peterson looked sharp in their spring debuts, and Kodai Senga is not only healthy but has added a new pitch to his arsenal.
With Manaea and Montas currently out, the Mets’ likely Opening Day rotation includes Senga, Holmes, Peterson, Paul Blackburn, and either Canning or Megill—a solid group, especially with Manaea expected back in April.
Depth for the Long Haul
Stearns also pointed out that many pitchers arrived at camp working on adjustments, and so far, the results have been encouraging. “That’s always fun to watch in camp,” he said. “You never know how it translates to the season, but so far, so good.”
If more injuries hit, the Mets have backup options: Canning or Megill (whoever doesn’t make the rotation), Ureña, Blade Tidwell, Brandon Sproat, or even José Butto in a pinch.
The rotation isn’t perfect, but it’s far from a disaster. The Mets bet on their depth, and so far, that gamble looks like it’s paying off.