Mets confident in low-cost rotation plan despite potential risks

PORT ST.LUCIE — For a second straight winter the Mets avoided the high end of the free agent market in addressing their pitching needs. Blake Snell, Max Fried and Corbin Burnes were among the tantalizing possibilities, but president of baseball operations David Stearns stuck with what largely worked last offseason in looking for sensible smaller deals that wouldn’t involve large outlays for pitchers in their 30s. With it comes the risk the Mets are undermanned, especially in the starting rotation.

It will be a key point in this spring training, which began with Monday’s report date for pitchers and catchers at Clover Park. It’s a rotation in which Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, Clay Holmes, David Peterson and Griffin Canning are expected to begin as the top six.Depth options include Tylor Megill, Paul Blackburn and Jose Buttó. “I think we have great guys — nasties,” catcher Francisco Alvarez said Monday.

“I think we are the best rotation and we have one of the best pitching guys in the league [pitching coach Jeremy Hefner], so I think we are going to be very good.” Much of the intrigue surrounds Senga.Last year at this time, the Japanese right-hander was a celebrated component of the rotation, following a rookie season in which he pitched to a 2.98 ERA and recorded 202 strikeouts in 166 ¹/₃ innings. But Senga’s shoulder discomfort early in camp turned into him opening the season on the injured list with a strain, and he didn’t pitch for the team until July 26, following various setbacks.

But Senga’s misery wasn’t behind him: In the sixth inning of that start against the Braves, he strained his left calf as he bounced off the mound to avoid incoming infielders on a pop-up.Senga wasn’t seen again until the postseason; without a full rehab, he pitched to a 12.60 ERA in three appearances. There will be questions not only about Senga’s effectiveness as he returns, but also whether he can be depended upon for a signi...