The biggest trade of the offseason was the Mets trading Jon Niese for Neil Walker. Now matter your thoughts on the trade, Walker has been terrific for the Mets as he has been their second best player this season. 

Just glancing at the numbers, Niese has been pretty terrible this year making the trade look even better. 

However, after starting the year 3-1 with a 5.94 ERA and a 1.680 WHIP in his first six starts Niese has turned a corner. It’s not that surprising given Ray Searage is his pitching coach. In Niese’s last five starts, he is 2-1 with a 2.64 ERA and a 1.206 WHIP. Part of that is his BABIP going from .337 to .264. Part of that is his level of competition has dropped a bit. And yes, part of it is his pitching coach. 

Whatever the case, Niese pitching well now is certainly the worst case scenario. No one – I repeat – NO ONE wants to see Niese beat the Mets. 

Niese was a guy who had no love for Mets fans. He always had an excuse for why he was pitching poorly. He took a jab at his teammates about their defense on his way out of the door. In sum, Niese wasn’t built for New York. 

He still had some good moments as a Met. He volunteered to go to the bullpen for the postseason, and he pitched well there. For a few years, he was one of a few viable starting pitchers in the rotation. It speaks volumes that he once got an Opening Day start. However you felt about him, he’s now toeing the rubber against the Mets tonight. 

This is not a game any Mets fan wants to lose. I’m sure the players he slighted on the way out the door feel the same way. Hopefully, Walker goes out and does this tonight en route to a big win:

Go out and beat Niese tonight.