The New York Mets signed Outfielder Juan Soto for the biggest contract in professional sports history to strengthen their lineup this offseason, but world series master AJ Pierzynski is concerned about their pitching staff.
He said Soto would make an impact and express concern for them on the haug.
“I think (Soto will) has a significant influence because of the bat he brings and the bats, the mindset he has. The only thing I question Mets who will beat? Who will be their starting pot?” Pierzynski asked during a recent performance on Outkicks “Don’t @ Me With Dan Dakich.”
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The New York Met’s starting pot Kodai Senga, #34, extends during a spring training training in Clover Park on February 19, 2025. (SAM NAVARRO-MAILED PICTURES)
“(Sean) Manaea is already injured, Clay Holmes is their opening day starter, will he be able to knock out all year? And then you worry about (Kodai) Bed’s health that missed a lot of years. They’ve already lost Frankie Montas for a lot of time, who will be their start to pitching?
Manaea, who signed with the team on a three-year deal, maintained a really oblique load and is expected to return at some point in April.
Montas, a free agent acquisition, got a high quality to the right lat tribe and was shut down from throwing for 6-8 weeks in mid-February.
Holmes has spent the last three-Plus seasons with New York Yankees as a reliever with high leverage and closed games for them at points during his tenure. During his seven-year career with Pittsburgh Pirates and Yankees, Holmes has started only four matches and will now depend on as a key member in Mets’ starting rotation.
When he signed with Mets in the free agency, Holmes transitioned to a starter after he came up in Pirates’ system as a starter.
Senga would probably have been the opening day starts over Holmes, but he turned out in just one game of the season last year due to injury and Mets are careful about going into the season. Last season, Senga treated shoulder, triceps and calf damage.
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The New York Mets Start jug Clay Holmes, #35, delivers a pitch against Houston Astros during the first lap of Clover Park on February 27, 2025. (SAM NAVARRO-MAILED PICTURES)
“At the end of the day, if you want to win in the Major League baseball, I don’t care that you can tear everything you want, but if you don’t have pitching to back it up, you won’t win over a long time and over the playoffs,” Pierzynski said.
With the damage to Montas and Manaea, these are the five starters that Mets roll out to their first five matches:
- Holmes
- Tylor Megill
- Griffin Canning
- David Peterson
- Senga
While he was concerned about the pitching staff, Pierzynski Mets’ violation praised.
“I think their set -up will be incredible. They brought back Pete (Alonso), whom I love, (Francisco) Lindor, I think (Mark) Vientos will be a stud for them in everyday line. We saw what he could do in the post -season,” said Pierzynski.
The New York Mets Shortstop Francisco Lindor, #12, returns to Dugout during the third round against St. Louis Cardinals in Clover Park on March 10, 2025. (Reinhold Matay-Preferred Pictures)
Pierzynski played 19 seasons in the big leagues and played for Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.
The two-time all-star hit .280 with 188 career home runs in his career. Pierzynski won the World Series in 2005 with Marlins.
Holmes takes Haugen for the first time with Mets when they take on Houston Astros for their season opener on Thursday, at. 16.10 et.
