New York Mets DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said that the team prefers that their yet-to-debut pitching prospects like Mike Vasil, Christian Scott and Dominic Hamel pitch in the minors more before being asked to make their big-league debuts in the wake of right-hander Kodai Senga's (shoulder) injury. The rotation competition with Senga expected to open the year on the injured list will essentially be among Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchesi, Jose Butto and Max Kranick. Adrian Houser could be another option. Megill is probably the best bet and also offers the most upside for fantasy managers in deeper leagues. However, the 28-year-old righty struggled in 2023, posting a 4.70 ERA with 105 K's and 58 walks in 126 1/3 innings pitched over 25 starts.

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder) has a mild strain of his posterior capsule in his right shoulder and will be shut down until symptoms subside, according to president of baseball operations David Stearns. Senga is expected to begin the 2024 regular season on the injured list. We don't have a specific timetable for when the 31-year-old hurler will be able to make his season debut, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he missed the first month of action. It's a big blow to Senga's fantasy value and the Mets' starting rotation to kick off the season. With Senga on the shelf, Adrian Houser, Tylor Megill, Jose Butto and Max Kranick will now compete for the right to take Senga's spot in the rotation to begin the season.

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga is experiencing a bit of arm fatigue and did not work out with the team on Wednesday. Skipper Carlos Mendoza said the club should have more information on their valued starter in the coming days. The 31-year-old made his North American debut in the 2023 season and did not disappoint with a 2.98 ERA and a 29.1% K% across 29 starts, going 12-7 in the process. He projects to lead a re-vamped Mets rotation in 2024 as ATC is projecting some regression for Senga in 2023 with a 3.70 ERA in 28 starts but a 12-9 record and 27.5% K% would serve fantasy managers well. While the arm fatigue sounds minor at this point, managers will want to keep an eye out for an update in the coming days.

Catcher Francisco Alvarez is close to signing a long-term contract extension with the New York Mets on Tuesday, according to a source. Alvarez is the team's catcher of the future. The 22-year-old Venezuelan backstop played in five games in 2022 and was called up in early April last year and stayed with the team the rest of the season. He hit .209/.284/.437 with 25 home runs, 12 doubles, 63 RBI and 51 runs scored in 423 plate appearances over 123 games played. Alvarez strikes out a lot and doesn't walk much, but his power abilities alone at the weak catching position make him very attractive in fantasy. The 22-year-old should also be an asset in the RBI category in a Mets lineup that should be stronger in 2024. Any extension with Alvarez will likely buy out the five years before he becomes a free agent.

Outfielder Harrison Bader is set to serve as the New York Mets' center fielder this year, with Brandon Nimmo shifting to left field, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Bader will give the Mets an upgrade in center over Nimmo. However, the 29-year-old Bader has had trouble staying healthy and took a step back offensively last year with a .232/.274/.348 slash line with seven homers, 40 RBI and 20 steals in 98 games with the Yankees and Reds. Bader hasn't played in over 100 games since 2021 and will mostly be appealing to fantasy managers for his speed in deeper mixed leagues while hitting near the bottom of the order in New York. Nimmo, meanwhile, will be a strong No. 3 outfielder in fantasy after slashing .274/.363/.466 with 24 homers, 68 RBI and 89 runs in 152 games in 2023 as the Mets' leadoff hitter.