Callaway: I've never seen as much talent in one staff as the Mets' rotation

by Tim Reilly February 13, 2018

Just one day into official work outs, Mickey Callaway was singing his pitching staff's praises.

“Watching these pitchers throw bullpens, I’ve never seen anything like it. The stuff is there.” - Mickey Callaway, just now on @BarstoolRadio. pic.twitter.com/FAu71VhQFo
— Tim Reilly (@LifeOfaReilly) February 13, 2018

“I’ve never seen talent like this in one spot,” Callaway on the starters, doing everything he can to get me to jump on my bed this morning.
— Tim Reilly (@LifeOfaReilly) February 13, 2018

Look, we all know every manager says these things about their team every year during Spring Training. So it’s easy to roll your eyes at these comments, and I don’t blame you if you did.

you could go back to interviews of Terry Collins and all of the pitchers from last year during spring training. All said the same thing. All meaningless unless they do it during the year
— Al Hughes Dukes (@Alsboringtweets) February 13, 2018

But everything that comes out of Callaway's mouth feels different. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but he has a very calmingand trusting sense about him, similar to his mentor, Indians skipper Terry Francona. When he speaks about the pitchers, I really do feel like everything is going to be alright.

Terry Collins was never known for his ability to handle a pitching staff. He did a very serviceable job, and accomplished some great things during his tenure, however you never really got the sense that any of the pitchers had a great relationship with him.

Now, with a manager known for his work and relation with pitchers, it feels like this staff is in the best hands possible to maximize their potential. And that’s exciting. Really exciting.

This interview was the first thing I listened to this morning, and now I’m ready to proclaim that the top-5 in the N.L. Cy Young voting will all be from the Mets’ rotation. Whatever Callaway’s putting in the Port St. Lucie Kool-Aid, I’m drinking it.