In an effort to bolster their starting rotation, the Mets have signed free-agent veteran pitcher Freddy Garcia to a one year, incentive-laden, minor-league contract and invited him to spring training.
Garcia had been rumored to join the Mets organization since last winter, and had been championed at this blog on several occasions. There is some concern about his shoulder “tightening” early in the winter league season, but he’s supposedly OK. Further, the Mets gave Garcia a minor-league deal, and thus aren’t on the hook for major bucks if he turns up lame.
I’ve always liked Garcia’s competitiveness. If he can regain at least 75% of his former skill set and remain healthy, he’ll be a fine addition to the back of the rotation.
A good acquisition, assuming that the Mets are still on the lookout for more starting pitching. Hopefully, this doesn’t remove them from the Ben Sheets sweepstakes.
I actually think this could work out for the Mets if he can get healthy.
Not for $9 mil, mind you, but we’ll see…
Lots of “ifs” already on the club …. what the heck, it can’t hurt. If they won’t gamble $75M on Manny, maybe they’ll gamble $20M on Garcia and Sheets.
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