A new ranking of MLB’s pitching staff from a top insider puts the New York Yankees well ahead of the New York Mets, despite several key pitchers expected to miss significant time to start the new season.
There is a lot of excitement surrounding the Yankees and Mets this week leading up to the start of the new MLB season. Expectations are always high in the Bronx, and despite being eliminated in the Divisional Round in October and not making notable changes to the roster, many experts believe they still have a team that can reach the World Series.
The Mets, on the other hand, suffered a disastrous collapse at the end of the season, costing them a chance at a playoff spot. That disappointing finish surprisingly led to an overhaul of the coaching staff and roster for 2026. A big addition this offseason was Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta.
On paper, it seems like the Mets’ starting rotation is in a better position to start the 2026 season than the Yankees. Mainly because they are healthy. The Yanks will begin the campaign with one-time Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Clark Schmidt all on the injured list and expected to miss the first few weeks or months of the season.
Bowden ranks the NY Yankees’ rotation as the third-best in MLB
However, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden doesn’t see it that way. On Tuesday, the outlet released the MLB Insider rankings of all 30 rotations, and the Mets cracked the top 10, but dropped to No. 9. The former general manager, of course, ranks above rookie Nolan MacLean and was a fan of his depth. However, he praised the Yankees far more.
“Despite those injuries, the Yankees still have a strong rotation to start the year, led by their top hitter Max Fried followed by right-hander Cam Shitler, right-hander Will Warren, newly acquired southpaw Ryan Weathers and former AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil,” he said of the rotation ranked No. 3 on his list.
“By the end of the season, they may have the best rotation in baseball, especially if Cole can return to his Cy Young Award-caliber form.”
The Mets have Peralta, Rookie of the Year favorite Nolan McLean and a pair of one-time All-Stars in Dave Peterson and Kodai Senga in the rotation. But Bowden still has more confidence in Will Warren, Cam Shitler, Lewis Girl and Ryan Weathers.
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