The key to preparing for the future is understanding the past. As such, we went back and learned the Mets won 97 games with 13 different starting pitchers who ranged from great to extremely poor. Further, when looking at baseball in general, the best starting rotation posted a 4.10 ERA and wasn’t exactly lights out. In short, there was no staff that was young and dominating. The Mets won so many games because the team crushed opposing picture with their speed and power while ending the game early by the 6^th inning.

Going into this season, the Mets strengthen their best assets with the addition of Moise Alou to bat behind David Wright, and also kept the bull pen very strong especially with the addition of Burgos. In short, it is my opinion that this team is built for a young starter to grow and develop and for older starters to save their pitches. Given that, I feel the Mets should have the following rotation:

1. Glavine
2. Maine
3. Perez
4. Pelfrey
5. Vargas
6. Hernandez (long relief)

Now, you are probably screaming at the computer screen that you can’t go with four young pitchers and expect the Mets to win. I say, why not? Last year’s team carried Bannister, Lima, Zambrano, and Gonzalez for half the year and still took control on the National League. Maine through Vargas has a much higher up side and frankly they don’t need to be dominant, just good enough or about average to support this team and win the National League East. The bonus with going young from 2 through 5 is that the rotation can stay intact for the entire season without much worry for injury which means Glavine can stay on track and not get moved around with his starts. This also means you can build this young rotation for this year and the future as Humber can replace Glavine next year and allows Pedro Martinez to be less of an issue. Further, I think Hernandez at this point would be an excellent long reliever and spot starter. He’d be returned to where he succeeded with the White Sox, and will keep him fresh all year.

The pitchers I present here are not low ceiling type pitchers. Perez and Pelfrey have been projected as future aces by many scouts, while Maine proved he has the ability to succeed at this level. Vargas meanwhile, only needs to be good enough to post a .500 record with a mid 4.00 ERA to be considered successful.

The Mets rotation needs to put a combined ERA of 4.50 to improve on last year, and that is certainly possible with this group. We have these young pitchers, it is time the Mets use them and build a staff that has an average age of 28. The future is now and for many years to come.