Rundown On Remaining Free Agents: Pitchers
With only a few weeks before pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Port St. Lucie, the Mets still have some holes to fill.
Conveniently, there are still several free agents available, many of whom have some type of skill or value to offer. Let’s do a quick rundown on the pitchers who are still available and how they might help.
Ben Sheets
No-brainer. The only free agent left who can significantly impact the Mets’ chance for success in 2010 — IF healthy. A big if, to be sure, but there isn’t anyone else who can help the Mets as much as Sheets can.
Jon Garland
He won’t be a difference-maker, but Garland is the one of the few remaining free agent with a good chance of tossing 200 innings in 2010. That may not sound so promising, but the way the Mets have been built since 2006 is like this: try to put together an “American League lineup” that can score a lot of runs, get starting pitchers who can keep the game close through six, and cross your fingers. Garland can win 12-14 games on a club with a strong offense, so he fits the bill.
Braden Looper
Stop laughing (or screaming), and see the notes above re: Garland. Now, consider that Looper made 34 starts in 2009 and pitched 194 innings — no Met starter reached either of those thresholds. And it wasn’t a fluke, since Looper made 33 starts / 199 IP in 2008 and 31 starts / 175 IP in 2007.
Chien-Ming Wang
A number of people are talking up the possibility of Wang joining the Mets. That would be great over the long term, but understand he won’t be throwing a big league pitch until 2011.
John Smoltz
This would be a tough one to swallow … wasn’t it bad enough we had to endure Tom Glavine? Seriously though, Smoltz would bring a level of professionalism sorely needed in Flushing. He won’t be the dominating pitcher he was in Atlanta, but he still has enough to be a competitive mid- or back-end starter (I’m not sure his stuff translates to a setup role). I wouldn’t worry about his arm since his shoulder is fairly new after 2008 surgery and his elbow is only 8 years old.
David Weathers
Again, stop snickering, please. Yes he’s over 40, hefty, and ugly as heck, but year in and year out, the guy appears in 65-70 games, throws a ton of strikes, and rarely is the reason his team loses a ballgame. I’m not sold on the recovering Kelvim Escobar and Ryota Igarashi being the answer in the 7th and 8th innings, and believe Weathers would be an inexpensive, smart backup plan — he can probably be had on a non-guaranteed, minor league deal.
Kevin Gregg
Gregg has proven time and time again that he’s not a reliable closer. Luckily, the Mets already have a closer, so Gregg would be a candidate for a middle relief / setup role. See my notes on Igarashi / Escobar.
Joe Beimel
He’s the best LOOGY left on the market. Don’t the Mets need another lefty to team with Pedro Feliciano? Last I checked, both the Phillies and the Braves remain in the NL East.
Did I miss anyone of consequence? Discuss in the comments.
Next post will cover the position players / hitters who remain on the open market.
Now, if you’re going to mention Looper and Weathers as candidates to return to NY, why not also Pedro Martinez? He’s still available and looked quite capable in 12 starts (9 reg season, 3 post) for the Phils last year. He’s not as durable as a Garland or Looper, but certainly comes with more flair and potential. Unless the bridge is burnt, I’d definitely consider bringing Pedro back.
There is a tendency to bag him in with Delgado and Tatis: and needing to close the door on that ‘era’ of the Mets. The difference being that Pedro can still play his part adequately while Delgado can’t run.
I can’t see why Garland has not been snapped up? All the guarantees Joe mentioned above 200IP around 10-12 wins (or 14). sounds pretty good compared to last yrs rotation results. Garland is a fast worker, and is a sinker ball pitcher, he’s suit Citifield no?
I am as keen as anyone to turn my back on the same old names and get some new blood in.
That aside according to that tweet list Sheets has gone to the A’s (and Nady to Cubs).
2 MORE potential guys gone…
Garland…Omar…Garland…
I don’t see how you can say “his ship has sailed” when he was nothing short of brilliant for the majority of his starts with the Phillies. Personally, I don’t remember him only topping out at 84 MPH against the Yankees, but even so, he still struck out 16 batters in 17 postseason innings with a 3.71 ERA, including 13 strikeouts in just 10 innings against the Yankees. So regardless of how fast or slow he’s throwing, he’s still making batters swing and miss and keeping his team in the game. There ain’t nothin wrong with that.
Rundown sums it up.