There’s really nothing to be gained from complaining about this season any more. The team is awful, and that’s all there is.
Since 2009 has ended sooner than any of us would like, I’ve decided to dedicate some time thinking about the direction the team needs to take to have success next season.
I will evaluate the Mets roster, position by position, and try and figure out what I would do. I won’t create fantasy trades, but I will look at who will be on the roster next season, as well as the free agent pool in an attempt to come up with ideas to improve the team.
Since Citi Field’s first season has presented it as a pitcher friendly park, I think starting pitching and speed should be the teams top priority.
The Mets starting pitching has been inconsistent at best this season, and it’s an issue that needs to be addressed above all others.
The rotation next will look something like this…
1.Johan Santana
2. Mike Pelfrey
3. Oliver Perez
4. John Maine
5. ?????
I believe that aside from Johan Santana, all the Mets starters are overvalued in their rotation spot, meaning Mike Pelfrey should be a No. 3 starter, Perez an No. 4, and Maine a No. 5.
This means that the Mets should be in the market for at least one top tier starter to fill their No. 2 hole.
I say at least one, because the Mets have a lot of question marks regarding injured starting pitchers for next season.
No one can be sure John Maine will be effective if he returns after his mystery shoulder ailment. Jon Niese and Fernando Nieve were effective in their limited time with the team this season, but will both be battling back from major hamstring injuries, so their value will also be questioned.
That being said…
I searched through the free agent list for starting pitchers in 2010. I’ve left out all players that have a club option for next season, assuming their respective teams will resign them. I’ve come up with a list of five players I believe the Mets should look at adding to their roster next season.
The first player on my list is Erik Bedard. The 31 year old lefty is 5-3 this season in 15 starts. He’s sporting a 2.82 ERA and opposing hitters are batting .212 against him. He’s averaging 9.8 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9. He would be a legitimate No. 2 starter in this rotation and would compliment the power arms currently in the rotation with a great curve ball.
The next player I looked at is Rich Harden. He’s a 28 year old righty that is 7-7 in 19 starts this season. His ERA is a little high at 4.41, but he’s got a great strikeout rate at 10.7 K/9 while walking just under 4 in the same span. He’s got a high home run rate at 1.7 HR/9, but that number will surely be improved pitching half his games in Citi Field. Opposing batters are hitting .242 against him. Harden would most likely be a No.3 or No.4 starter in the Mets rotation, so although it would add depth, it would not strengthen from the top down.
Next, I looked at John Lackey. The 31 year old right hander is 7-5 in 17 starts with a 3.88 ERA. Opposing batters are batting .256 against him and he’s striking out 7.5 K/9 while walking 2.6 BB/9. I think Lackey has the stuff to be a No. 2 starter, especially in the National League. He has post season experience, and has pitched on World Series caliber teams for the last few seasons. He would be a welcome addition to the rotation.
I also think the Mets should look at Jason Marquis. He’s having the best season of his career so far, sporting a 3.65 ERA with a .200 BAA. He’s 12-8 in 22 starts so far. He’s also a New York kid, playing his High School ball on Staten Island. Having a local guy on your team is something the Mets have been missing since the departure of John Franco. If Marquis can have this type of season for years to come, he’s also a legitimate candidate for the No. 2 starter spot.
The last guy I looked at is Joel Pinero. The 31 year old right hander is 10-9 in 22 starts so far. He’s got a 3.22 ERA with an incredible .174 BAA. He’s not overpowering, but he’s a ground ball machine. He would be a perfect fit for a stadium like Citi Field. Like Harden, he’s probably not a No. 2 starter, but he will strengthen the overall rotation, which is something worth looking at.
I stopped at 5 pitchers, but the truth is, there are others out there that might give you better results than the bottom of the Mets rotation has so far this season.
I will discuss every position the same way I’ve broken down starting pitching in the coming days. Maybe Omar can look at these ideas and take them as his own, since I sincerely believe he doesn’t have any plans or ideas at all.
Lackey and Harden are the only 2 im interested in. Bedard gets hurt every year and the other guys are overvalued flashes in the pan that we will way overpay for.
Johan, Ollie, and Big Pelf will be here for sure. I love John Maine…he has heart and grit…but this is the second consecutive injury-riddled season…might be time to start adjusting for the lack of his presence in the rotation. Besides….Pelf and Ollie have enough trouble getting through 6 innings, and unfortunatly Maine is much of the same.
They need a horse behind Johan. If they acquire a bonified # 2 starter, they’ll be in much better shape. This will allow Pelfrey to slot down to # 3, and the others follow.
Unfortunatly, that guy was most likely Cliff Lee– who is now on the Phillies, and was acquired for a song and a dance. Nice work Omaaaaa. You suck.
Youkilis is a punk for throwng his helmet at Pocello. Is a 60 foot running start not enough? I guess not, since Porcello threw him to the ground…
It looked like Porcello trained with Mr. Miyagi in the off season.
I hate to even think it, let alone say it, but it might be time to blow this team up. I can’t imagine giving up Reyes or Wright. But maybe it’s time to shop Beltran, although we probably can’t get too much back for him. He has 2 years left on his deal, due to earn like 40 mil. He’s 32, and coming off an injury. So we’d probably have to take a bad contract in return and/or pay a chunk of his salary. I’m a Met fan that lives in Kansas City, and these people still have a thing for Beltran. Of course the Royals wouldn’t pay 20 mil for anyone, but if we kick in 5 mil a year, I think they might consider it. Maybe we take Meche off their hands in return. Meche and Juan Cruz? For Meche, I wouldn’t kick in that extra 5 mil. Since KC would only increase their payroll by 8 mil.
Then maybe we make a run at Crawford, who wouldnt hit 20 homers in Citi, but having Reyes-Crawford-Wright at the top of the lineup could mean 150 stolen bases between them, if not more.
At 1b, go after either Huff, Blalock or Nick Johnson.
Our rotation would have Santana (hope hope) Maine, Meche, Pelfrey and Perez. If we get lucky, and they all pitch to their potential (or even 80%) we’d have a pretty decent staff.