New York Mets: And The Hits Just Keep On Coming
Almost as if adding insult to injury, Jacob deGrom is diagnosed with what is being called “soreness” in his right arm and will miss his next turn (at least). What’s next?
According to a report in Sports Illustrated this morning, Jacob deGrom is the latest New York Mets starter to be down and out for the count. He will miss at least his next turn in the rotation. An MRI did not reveal any permanent damage.
This means that the vaunted Mets’ rotation that started the season back in April has now been reduced from five to just two, with Bartolo Colon and Noah Syndergaard being the sole survivors. To say that this puts the Mets’ run for the playoffs in jeopardy belies the fact that it’s been in jeopardy for some time now. And this latest development seems only to add insult to injury.
Readers who have been following the developing story of the Mets’ inability to handle a pitching staff (my opinion) know that the team has made the decision to pitch through the season until their destiny is finally determined for the playoffs, up or down.
They all want the ball just like a child wants one more cookie. But it’s up to the adults in the family to take it away from them.
That hasn’t been an easy decision for the Mets to make and in choosing the road they’re traveling on. They’ve left themselves wide open to criticism from fans and writers like myself. And the criticism is justified.
It’s justified because at what point in time do you ask yourself, “Does one (year) equal two or even three (years)?” How much is this season really worth and what are the Mets risking for a chance to get what? Not the division title and not even the first wild-card spot. They’re fighting for the last wild card spot for God’s sake.
Does anyone really think that this team has the talent to compete with the Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals, or even the Los Angeles Dodgers in order to get to the World Series? Because in the end, that’s the only thing that really matters.
And if this Mets team does make it to the playoffs, should we expect a parade downtown given the expectations everyone, including themselves, had back in April. This thinking is simply crazy.
Give it up and give it up now. Did you watch Syndergaard last night laboring through seven stress-filled innings while throwing 109 pitches in yet another start that resulted in a loss?
Did you see him early in the game when he was tossing 20 or more pitches an inning with men on base everywhere? He escaped most of those jams because he’s Syndergaard, but again, the stress of pitching with men on base was telling. I mean did he look like he was having fun out there.
It’s time to put an end to this madness before it gets even worse. And it’s not just the starters who are being taxed. Take a look at the number of appearances that Jeurys Familia and Addison Reed have so far. And that doesn’t even count the days when they get up once or twice, but never make it into the game.
Next: Mets and Yankees Have A Message For Their Competition
Stop the madness and stop it now. There’s nothing wrong with saying, “Wait until next year.” And that’s especially true when it comes to risking that pot of gold that will still be there next year if your staff is still intact.
To do otherwise would be not only foolhardy, but it would border on neglect and even voluntary manslaughter for risking the careers of these talented young men. They all want the ball just like a child wants one more cookie. But, it’s up to the adults in the family to take it away from them.