LUGO BOUNCES BACK TO HELP METS EDGE RAYS
The Mets have a Seth Lugo decision to make this winter.
The right-hander bounced back from his worst outing in more than two years with 6.1 innings of one-run ball in the Mets’ 5-2 victory over the Rays on Tuesday. He struck out seven and limited Tampa Bay to four hits with one walk across 95 pitches. Manager Luis Rojas squeezed every last pitch out of Lugo in the win, despite the righty having thrown only 52 pitches his last time out.
It was fair to wonder whether the Lugo experiment had gone awry after he gave up six earned runs, and what was more troubling -four home runs, against the Phillies in 1.2 innings just five days ago in Philly. But the 30year-old was forthright and aware of precisely what he needed to correct before starting this week. His game plan worked out well for the Mets.
Now the club must decide whether it wants to keep Lugo in the rotation in 2021. He’s arbitrationeligible after this season and shifting to the starting five this year increased his capital. The Mets avoided arbitration with Lugo ahead of the 2020 season. He agreed to a one-year deal worth $2 million. He becomes a free agent in 2023.
But keeping Lugo as a starter next season could make the Mets’ rotation problem that much simpler. Jacob deGrom will be the ace, of course, but the picture behind him is blurry. Noah Syndergaard is expected to recover from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow by April 2021, if all things go smoothly.
Edwin Diaz, who earned his fifth save of the year on Tuesday, seems to have found his confidence and groove in Flushing. If the Mets closer can continue putting up results in his current role, the team would have less of a need for Lugo in the bullpen in 2021. Plus, with Steve Cohen’s fat wallet, the possibilities are endless for the Mets’ erratic pitching staff.