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New York Mets could use Michael Fulmer right about now

By Nick Ziegler

May 22, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer (32) pitches against the Houston Astros in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park. Houston won 1-0 .Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer (32) pitches against the Houston Astros in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park. Houston won 1-0 .Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Mets are off to a poor start in 2017, and part of the blame has to go on their starting rotation.

Coming into the 2017 season, it looked like we were finally going to see the dream starting five pitchers for the New York Mets all healthy together.

For a few years, fans have been excited about the possibility of seeing Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, and Zack Wheeler pitching five games in a row. Due to injuries, this is something that we have yet to see in New York.

With injuries to Harvey, Matz, and Wheeler the past few seasons, the Mets haven’t had the rotation that we have expected. Despite the injuries, the Mets were able to make the playoffs the last two seasons. In 2015 they were in the World Series against the Kansas City Royals, and then last season they played the San Francisco Giants in the National League Wild Card Game.

While they have had success despite the injuries, that hasn’t been the case this season. So far, the Mets’ rotation has struggled overall, and one can’t help but think they might have mad a mistake a few years ago.

When the Mets made the World Series in 2015, they had one of the worst offenses in the majors heading into the trade deadline. The Mets ended up trading for Yoenis Cespedes, who went on to help turn the Mets’ offense completely around.

Even though Cespedes has been a great player for the Mets, he did come at what appears to be a high cost. The trade that acquired Cespedes cost the Mets starting pitcher Michael Fulmer, who was an afterthought a few years ago with all of the talent the Mets had in their rotation already.

Last season, Fulmer totaled an 11-7 record and 3.06 ERA in his rookie season. So far in 2017, Fulmer is pitching even better with a 2.55 ERA. Even though Cespedes has helped the Mets the past two seasons, Fulmer would have been a great pitcher to have right now.

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With the success of Michael Conforto and Jay Bruce in the outfield, the Mets haven’t missed Cespedes nearly as much as expected since he went down with a hamstring injury. While this trade is still far too early to properly judge, the Mets sure could use a pitcher like Fulmer right now with their rotation hurting.

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