While there was no truth to last evening’s report that the Mets had reached an agreement with Daisuke Matsuzaka on a minor league deal – a report that was refuted by the Mets – Andy Martino of the Daily News writes that the Japanese righty still remains in the mix for the Amazins.
“The Mets are looking to fill out their starting rotation with additional depth, and a reunion with Matsuzaka remains a possibility, according to two people familiar with the team’s plans.”
While a report yesterday out of Japan saying that the Mets were bringing Matsuzaka back was either inaccurate or premature, the veteran righthander remains in the mix, sources said.
I would venture a guess that Jenrry Mejia has a leg up on the final spot in the rotation, behind Jon Niese, Zack Wheeler, Bartolo Colon and Dillon Gee. However, a little competition on a minor league deal wouldn’t hurt and could provide some depth in case of injury or ineffectiveness come April or May.
January 14, 8:30 PM
An earlier report that said that the Mets may re-sign RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka to a minor-league deal, has been shot down by at least two team officials who denied it, and possibly a third that told Adam Rubin that any report of a deal is “not true at all.”
The Mets have been rumored to be interested in about a half dozen pitchers this offseason, but so far no word that they’ve exchanged numbers with any of them.
I wouldn’t mind having Dice-K back, who seemed to rediscover his old self after three bad starts and a fix by pitching coach Dan Warthen.
After allowing 15 earned runs in his first 12.1 innings pitched, the former Japanese phenom held the opposition to just four runs in his next 26.1 inning spanning four starts. That resulted in a 3-0 record with a 1.37 ERA with a 0.835 WHIP to close out the season and finish with a flourish. Not bad, huh?
Overall he posted a 4.42 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in seven starts with the Mets.
