Seth Lugo Isn’t Keen on Mets’ “Opener” Strategy

Mar 27, 2017; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Seth Lugo (67) delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals during a spring training game at First Data Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets are toying with using an “opener” in lieu of a fifth starter early on this season as they sort out their pitching staff. We know Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman are locked in as starters with Steven Matz, Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha vying for he fourth and possible fifth spots.

It will likely be either Porcello or Matz with Wacha and the loser of that battle heading to the bullpen. Either one could end up being an “opener”, but the Mets seem to be more content with a pitcher who issued to pitching just an inning or two, meaning Seth Lugo or Robert Gsellman might be better choices for sure duty.

Lugo, who along with Gsellman was once a starter, is not in favor of the plan.

“I don’t think an opener belongs in baseball,” Lugo said Thursday. “Starters are starters. I’m old-school, so I like the game the way it’s meant to be played.”

Lugo pitched well out of the bullpen in 2019 and even became the team’s de facto closer. His real desire is to start, like he did earlier inches career.

From Anthony DiComo: “Teams such as the Rays and Yankees have found success using openers to dictate matchups early in games, to prevent opposing teams from stacking their lineups with platoon hitters, or to help starters who tend not to last more than five or six innings anyway. But in Lugo’s estimation, using a strong reliever early means wasting that pitcher if the game becomes lopsided in the middle innings.”

The Mets haven’t formally announced their plans, but if Lugo was to be asked to open, how would he react?

“I don’t know,” he said. “I’ll let you know if that happens.”