The Mets are focusing on enhancing their bullpen as the trade deadline nears, valuing it more than acquiring a high-impact starting pitcher. Many playoff contenders are reducing reliance on starting pitchers while bullpen roles are expanding. Currently, the Mets rank low in both starter innings and bullpen ERA, indicating a need for relief improvements. With several teams performing poorly in their relief departments, enhancing bullpen performance is becoming increasingly critical for success this season.
The Mets ranked 23rd with 518 1/3 innings pitched by starters, for 56.7% -- slightly above the Tigers (56.6%) -- and the Yankees were 14th overall with 542 2/3 innings, or 60.3%.
Seven teams currently holding playoff spots are under 60% and the West-leading Dodgers -- the defending world champs with the sport's biggest payroll -- sit dead last at 50.8%.
The importance of checking that box -- over and over -- continues to grow every season. Why spend a boatload of prospect capital on a solitary starting pitcher, who pitches once every five days, when you can upgrade a department that takes the mound each night, in the highest-leverage situations?
Through Wednesday's games, the Phillies -- who trailed the Mets by a half-game in the NL East -- led the majors in starter-pitched innings with 578, accounting for 63.5% of their total innings, the largest share in baseball.
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