What is Joey Lucchesi’s status with the New York Mets as he enters his fourth season with the team?
Joey Lucchesi is entering his fourth season with the New York Mets, a milestone that may seem surprising given his limited appearances for the team totaling just 85 innings. His journey has been challenging, especially with a setback due to Tommy John Surgery in 2021, followed by a season where he didn’t pitch in the majors at all in 2022 and spent most of 2023 in the minors.
Turning 31 this summer, Lucchesi has two more years of team control before hitting free agency. Despite his tenure with the Mets, the team has not committed to him as a regular starter, viewing him more as a depth option or sixth starter in case of injuries.
Each year has been significant for Lucchesi with the Mets, but with only one minor league option remaining, this season becomes crucial for the team to determine his future role.
On the field, Lucchesi has shown promise with the Mets, posting a respectable 5-4 record with a 3.60 ERA, including a standout performance in 2023 with a 4-0 record and 2.89 ERA. However, closer inspection reveals that his success may have been somewhat influenced by luck, as his strikeout numbers were lower than usual and his walk rate was higher. Despite a decent ERA, opponents had a solid slash line against him.
The Mets may not be able to draw firm conclusions from Lucchesi’s performance last year, especially considering his inconsistent outings in Triple-A and his sporadic spot starts in the majors.
Other MLB teams may view Lucchesi as a back-end starter option at a reasonable cost once his minor league option is used up, possibly at the start of the 2024 season. However, the Mets might regret their initial trade for Lucchesi, as the prospect they gave up, Endy Rodriguez, quickly rose to prominence with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Nevertheless, having Lucchesi on the roster for 2024 and possibly beyond as a budget-friendly rotation option makes sense for the Mets, given their financial constraints and the need to balance their roster.
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