The Miami Marlins have the best rotation in the NL East

The New York Mets are the last ones standing and I can see many readers saying that while the Miami Marlins have a better rotation than the other teams, this is the end of the line. I disagree though, this article is not just talking about this season but the next few years as well.

Leading the New York Mets staff is arguably the best starting pitcher in the game: Jacob deGrom. There’s no denying how great he is… last season he had a 1.08 ERA/1.24 FIP in 15 games and 92 innings pitched. The problem is that he’s 33 and a free agent after the season (if he opts out). Oh and he hasn’t even pitched this season due to injury, and said injury is why he only pitched in 92 innings last season. deGrom might not even be a New York Met next season and we don’t know just how productive his health will let him be.

Max Scherzer is the other ace and has been signed through next season, with a player option for 2024. Scherzer has a 2.54 ERA/2.98 FIP in 8 games and 49.2 innings and may be a future Hall of Famer. He’s also 37 and can finally decline at any time.

Chris Bassitt has been a revelation for the New York Mets this season, but also has a 3.74 ERA/4.44 FIP in 11 games and 65 innings. He’s also a free agent after the season. He’s not an ace and is potentially gone by next season.

Carlos Carrasco is 35 and no longer the pitcher that he once was. He currently has a 3.52 ERA/2.68 FIP in 11 games and 64 innings. He’s doing very good so far, but has been in decline in recent seasons, so I question him remaining this productive going forward.

The rotation is filled out by Taijuan Walker and his 3.28 ERA/3.87 FIP in 9 games and 46.2 innings. Walker had a 4.47 ERA/4.57 FIP last season and that’s more in line with his career 3.93 ERA/4.28 FIP. Walker is not an ace and is capped at being a mid-rotation starter. The New York Mets are top-heavy but age and free agency can destroy this rotation in the next season or two.

The Miami Marlins have the best rotation in the NL East. No other rotation has more upside or aces at the same time. No other rotation is as likely to be great going forward either. The New York Mets may be leading the division now, but they’re not built to dominate for years and the Miami Marlins are going in that direction.