Feb 17, 2023; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (21) and New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throw pitches in the bull pen during spring training workouts. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Spring Training-New York Mets Workouts
The New York Mets plan to invoke new tactics to get veterans Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander close to their normal routines throughout the year.
According to The Athletic’s Tim Britton, the Amazins will use a six-man rotation at different points in 2023.
The move seems logical for a team that bulked up their rotation by adding 2022 AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga, and lefty Jose Quintana. It gives New York a room full of 30-year-old pitchers though. Senga, 30, is the only one who hasn’t surpassed the age of 34.
Age is all but guaranteed to play a role in how efficient Mets pitchers are this year. Max Scherzer was lights outs for 23 starts, but it was the lowest full-season tally of his career. He already notes how much of a challenge pitching once a week is due to the unfamiliarity of it. Six-man rotations are more common in Japanese baseball, which Kodai Senga is used to.
Justin Verlander started 32 games en route to his Cy Young Award, but he is now 40 years old.
Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez, Steve Traschel and Orlando Hernandez on the 2006 Mets, were the last team with four starters of at least 34-years-old, that pitched at least 100 innings.
If New York’s six-man rotation becomes more prevalent, then the 2023 Mets could give the 2006 NL East champs a run for their money.
