The Physician has a prescription for the Mets: A workers ace.
Former Mets nice Dwight “Doc” Gooden just lately hung out in Port St. Lucie at Mets camp speaking with the pitching workers and watching some bullpens and Grapefruit League video games. The legendary right-hander got here away with the impression that the rotation is powerful, but it surely’s missing a punch in entrance.
“Obviously there are question marks here, and I still think — and this is not a knock on nobody, just my opinion — I still think we need a No. 1 guy,” Gooden stated Friday on the opening of Mets Home NYC, a pop-up expertise in Union Sq.. “I think the guys we have are like [No.] 2 and 3 at best, but to compete, you’ve got to have a number one guy.”
The Mets are already down two starters with accidents to right-hander Frankie Montas and left-hander Sean Manaea. Proper-hander Kodai Senga is ready to steer the rotation after sitting out almost all of final season with a shoulder harm and a calf pressure. Proper-handers Clay Holmes, Griffin Canning and Paul Blackburn and left-hander David Peterson will fill out the rotation.
There may be depth, sure, however Gooden thinks one other frontline man may make an even bigger influence come late within the season and into the postseason.
Nevertheless, he does see Holmes as a sleeper choose to have a giant season. The Mets are changing the previous Yankees nearer to a beginning pitcher, which Gooden sees as a sensible concept. He sees a pitcher with the physique to resist a heavier workload, and compares Holmes to former Mets right-hander Seth Lugo, a reliever who’s now beginning for the Kansas Metropolis Royals.
“He’s a big, strong guy,” Gooden stated of the 6-5 righty. “It’s hard — really hard — to go from a closer to a starter and as a middle guy to start, but he’s a big guy, he’s strong and now, you don’t have to go five or six innings. He’s done it before, and it’s been a while, but now look at what Lugo did. I think he’s gonna be alright.”
The Mets might have that ace they’re lacking in Port St. Lucie proper now in Brandon Sproat, the group’s prime pitching prospect, however the right-hander will want extra time within the minor leagues. If all goes properly, he’ll make his debut this season.
Gooden was launched to the 24-year-old earlier than a Grapefruit League sport just lately. Sproat informed him he struggled to be himself in Triple-A, and Gooden tried to present him recommendation primarily based on his experiences of being a 19-year-old phenom that went straight to the massive leagues from Excessive-A. Gooden informed him to remain inside himself.
The recommendation labored.
“Not that I had any hand in this, but the next day, he pitched two shutout innings,” Gooden stated. “I’m going to take the credit for that.”
To be clear, Gooden was joking, however one factor he isn’t joking about is the expectations for the 2025 season. Gooden thinks the addition of star outfielder Juan Soto will take some stress off of the important thing offensive producers, and that bringing again Pete Alonso will make an enormous distinction.
In the event you ask Gooden, the Mets are positively happening one other run this October.
“Last year they got close, two games from the World Series,” Gooden stated. “Anything other than the World Series is unacceptable. I’m setting the bar real high.”
THE HOUSE THAT MR. MET BUILT
Gooden helped lower the ribbon for Mets Home, an experiential retailer and multipurpose house that options unique merchandise, themed actions, giveaways and interactive parts for followers. The gaming wall, the place followers can play “MLB the Show” with each other, and the “Match Young Swing” expertise proved well-liked on Day 1. Followers step right into a batter’s field in entrance of a video display screen that analyzes your swing to indicate you which of them Mets hitter yours compares to.
Tickets to Mets video games will also be bought at Mets Home with no service charges.
The brainchild of Mets president of enterprise operations M. Scott Havens and chief progress officer Andrew Grossman, followers lined up as early as 5 a.m. on Friday to be among the many first to buy the shop and check out the brand new options. The crew plans to carry occasions within the house and memorabilia is obtainable to bid on, with the proceeds going to the Amazin’ Mets Basis.
Havens, Grossman, Gooden and former Mets first baseman and present SNY analyst Todd Zeile joined Mr. and Mrs. Mets for the ribbon chopping, together with Julie Stein, the manager director of Union Sq. Partnership.
GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE RESULTS
Proper-hander Max Kranick would possibly pressure the Mets to hold two lengthy relievers if he continues to pitch successfully. Kranick tossed 1 2/3 shutout innings in West Palm Seaside on Friday evening, blanking the Washington Nationals. In seven innings of Grapefruit League play, Kranick has but to permit a run.
Proper-hander Paul Blackburn had his second straight tough begin, permitting three earned runs on 5 hits, strolling two and hanging out none in 2 1/3 innings towards Washington within the Mets’ 5-4 loss.
Initially Printed: March 7, 2025 at 5:27 PM EST
