Enough is Enough, the Mets Need to Sign Dallas Keuchel
On Saturday night in Atlanta, Jason Vargas took the mound for his second start of the season. Unfortunately for the Mets, the results went about as expected.
The lefty threw just 36 pitches as he recorded just one out in the bottom of the first, and allowed four runs on two hits while walking three. This was the shortest outing from a Mets starter since Vargas himself threw 14 pitches and recorded just one out in a start against the Reds last August.
Vargas was bailed out by his offense, so he did not suffer his first loss of 2019. On the young season, Vargas is now 1-0 with a 14.21 ERA, and he has only pitched a combined 6.1 innings over three appearances.
With all of that being said, there is no denying the Mets have a problem at the five spot in the rotation. Brodie Van Wagenen told the rest of the division “come get us,” and claims this team is in “win-now” mode, yet they continue to trot out Jason Vargas every fifth day.
A contending team does not, and can not have a starting pitcher with Vargas’ inabilities take the mound every five days. If this team truly believes they are contenders, which they certainly look like they can be, they need to make a change right now.
The Vargas experiment has dragged on long enough, it’s time for the Mets to move on and sign free agent left-hander Dallas Keuchel to fill out the rotation. Though he is on a bit of a decline, Keuchel would provide the Mets with an immediate upgrade over their current options.
It would be cool to see Corey Oswalt or Chris Flexen get a legitimate shot, but just think about it… A rotation of Keuchel, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, and Steven Matz has the potential to be one of the very best in baseball.
The 31-year old southpaw would provide the Mets with a durable and reliable veteran at the backend of the rotation. Last season with the Astros, even in a down year Keuchel made 34 starts and posted a 3.74 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 3.69 FIP while striking out 153 batters over 204 innings.
Also, as MMO’s own Mathew Brownstein pointed out, Keuchel made a total of 16 starts in which he went at least six innings and allowed no more than two earned runs in 2018. Only five other American League pitchers recorded more of such games.
Adding a pitcher of Keuchel’s capabilities could help this ball club immensely. If the Mets truly are in win-now mode, and want to make some serious noise in the National League East, they should come to an agreement with Dallas Keuchel before another team does.