5 Candidates To Replace Jon Niese In New York Mets' Rotation

By Bryan Zarpentine

5 Candidates To Replace Jon Niese In New York Mets' Rotation

Jon Niese
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

There is no team in baseball with four starting pitchers better than the New York Mets. However, with Jon Niese being traded, the Mets have an opening in the fifth spot of their rotation, at least until Zack Wheeler returns from Tommy John surgery in the middle of 2016. But until that happens, assuming there are no setbacks, New York will need someone to fill in, and here are five possible replacements.

5. Gabriel Ynoa

Gabriel Ynoa Mets
Brad Barr - USATODAY Sports

5. Gabriel Ynoa

Gabriel Ynoa Mets
Brad Barr - USATODAY Sports

Ynoa is probably a long shot to be on New York's opening day roster, but if there's an open competition during spring training he'll definitely get a chance to prove himself. Ynoa is coming off a solid if unspectacular season at Double-A in 2015 and should be ready to provide some rotation depth for the Mets at some point in 2016. He'll eventually be a back-of-the-rotation starter, and perhaps he'll be ready sooner rather than later.

4. Logan Verrett

Logan Verrett Mets
Anthony Gruppuso - USATODAY Sports

4. Logan Verrett

Logan Verrett Mets
Anthony Gruppuso - USATODAY Sports

Verrett figures to have some role on New York's pitching staff in 2016. That role will likely be in the bullpen, but he did make four starts for the Mets last season, so Verrett could be moved into the starting rotation for part of next season. However, while a spot start from Verrett every now and then may be fine, the Mets may not feel comfortable with him being in the rotation for the first two or three months of 2016.

3. Sean Gilmartin

Sean Gilmartin
Steve Mitchell - USATODAY Sports

3. Sean Gilmartin

Sean Gilmartin
Steve Mitchell - USATODAY Sports

Gilmartin survived the entire 2015 season as a Rule 5 pick as a member of the Mets' bullpen. But he was a starter throughout his minor league career, and the Mets could certainly give him the chance to return to that role. With Niese gone, the Mets could use a second lefty in the rotation, but there is also uncertainty about what lefties New York will have in the bullpen. They may not be able to lose Gilmartin from that role.

2. Bartolo Colon

mets_colon_rant
Steve Mitchell - USATODAY Sports

2. Bartolo Colon

mets_colon_rant
Steve Mitchell - USATODAY Sports

Colon is a free agent, but there appears to be mutual interest between him and the Mets regarding a reunion. If New York can convince Colon to return to Queens, he would undoubtedly be the fifth starter in the rotation until Wheeler's return. At that point, Colon could become a useful part of the bullpen and continue to provide rotation depth for the rest of the season. Of course, whether he would welcome such a role remains to be seen.

1. Rafael Montero

Rafael Montero
Anthony Gruppuso - USATODAY Sports

1. Rafael Montero

Rafael Montero
Anthony Gruppuso - USATODAY Sports

The Mets would love nothing more than for Montero to seize the fifth starter's job after missing most of the 2015 season with a mysterious shoulder ailment. Heading into last season he was considered a quality prospect with a bright future, but his stock is down after barely pitching last season. If he's healthy, there'll be a place for Montero on the pitching staff. And with Niese gone, it could very well be in the starting rotation.

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