The New York Mets and free-agent right-hander Rick Porcello reportedly have a mutual interest in one another.
As one starting pitcher leaves the New York Mets, another may join. On Wednesday, right-hander Zack Wheeler decided to ink a five-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. This comes after Wheeler played five seasons with the Mets (2013-14, 2017-19). On the same day, however, Matthew Cerrone of SNY reported that the Mets have a mutual interest with right-hander Rick Porcello.
The veteran most recently pitched for the Boston Red Sox. If Porcello signed with the Mets, it’d be his third major-league team. Prior to his tenure with the Red Sox (2015-19), he spent time with the Detroit Tigers (2009-14). He’d also be joining a rotation that includes Marcus Stroman, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, and Jacob deGrom. The latter just won his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award.
Last year, Porcello started 32 games for Boston, posting a 14-12 record with a 5.52 ERA and a 1.394 ERA. He also struck out 143 batters and walked 45 through 174.1 total innings pitched. Porcello has a combined 4.36 ERA and 1.311 WHIP through his 343 career appearances (339 starts).
At 30-years-old, Porcello has won one World Series Title (with Red Sox in 2018) and one American League Cy Young Award (in 2016). He was the American League wins leader in the same season for the latter accomplishment.
Porcello could definitely add some firepower to a starting rotation that was pretty impressive in 2019. Last season, the Mets starters combined for a 3.84 ERA. This statistic was good for seventh in the majors.
