While the Mets’ stated focus before the trade deadline is improving their bullpen, as demonstrated by their deal to acquire Gregory Soto yesterday, it’s hard to separate the Mets’ bullpen woes from their workload. Since June 25, the Mets have gotten the fewest innings from their starting pitchers (100.1 IP, an average of 4.35 per game) of any team in baseball. Though their rotation is finally healthy, the Mets are also facing a Clay Holmes conundrum, as the reliever-turned-starter has currently tallied 113.2 innings on the season—well beyond his previous career-high of 70.0.
While the odds that general manager David Stearns splurges for a starter are low, especially with prospects Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong waiting in the wings, the Mets have nonetheless checked in on Padres right-hander Dylan Cease and Sandy Alcantara.