SNY’s Andy Martino will be responding to and breaking down answers to questions each day from readers. Here’s the latest…
@letsgomets1234: Any favorite as of now for the 5th starter job?
Seems like the game is getting away from the idea of a “fifth starter” in the way we’ve traditionally understood it. In a sense, it has always been a false construct, because so many teams have used different pitchers in that role over the course of a season. Now that front offices think more in terms of filling innings and using piggybacks, openers and bulk guys, the sport will move even more in that direction.
Having said all that, if Carlos Carrasco is healthy to start the season, the guess here is that David Peterson will break camp as the Mets’ fifth starter. He has so far justified the Brodie Van Wagenen administration’s decision to keep him over fellow young starters Justin Dunn and Anthony Kay.
He has good secondary stuff, a competitive nature that seems to elevate his performances, and — in the view of some baseball lifers around the Mets — an appropriately humble curiosity and desire to learn about the game.
Peterson will pitch important innings for the Mets this year. Jordan Yamamoto, Joey Lucchesi and others probably will too, whether it’s starting games or providing bulk innings. The Mets had a strong offseason in building rotation depth and now have several options.