Free agent pitcher Rick Porcello has agreed to a deal with the New York Mets.
Free-agent right-hander Rick Porcello in agreement with #Mets on a one-year contract, pending a physical, sources tell The Athletic. On it: @enosarris.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 12, 2019
The deal, which is pending a physical, is for one year and $10 million, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
Porcello gets $10M, 1-year deal with Mets. Resets for free agency a year from now.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 12, 2019
The move is a surprise since the Mets signed Michael Wacha on Wednesday. In 2019, Porcello was 14-12 with a career-high 5.52 ERA, which was the highest in the majors.
Porcello struggled during the 2019 season. While his record was good, everything else wasn’t that great. In addition to having a career-high ERA, he gave up a .314/.407/.571 slash line with runners in scoring position. He also averaged a personal-worst 38.1 percent grounder rate and a personal-high 41.5 percent flyball rate. Porcello also allowed 34.2 percent hard-hits this past season.
So, why did the Mets want Porcello when he didn’t have that great of a year? Apparently, the Mets see the former Cy Young award winner as a good bounce-back candidate.
Mets see Porcello as good bounce-back candidate. Their rotation depth looks good now with Porcello and Wacha. Appears excellent reliever Lugo and Gsellman can stay in pen.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 12, 2019
The good news for the Mets is their rotation now includes Procello, Wacha, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Steven Matz. That’s not a bad rotation.
The Mets are looking to make the playoffs next year after falling three games short of a playoff berth this past season. If Porcello can bounce back and have a good year next year, the Mets will have a good chance at making the playoffs.
