Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, gets a head start on the hot stove season, and checks out some of the pitchers that will be headlining the rumor mills this offseason.
Obviously, some of these names could help the Mets who have 80% of their rotation coming back from surgery this spring including their ace, Johan Santana.
Rosenthal selects Angels right-hander John Lackey, as the pitcher on top of the food chain, but reminds us not to forget Tim Hudson who could be intriguing if he proves he’s healthy.
Other available pitchers will be Cubs right-hander Rich Harden, Dodgers lefty Randy Wolf, Tigers lefty Jarrod Washburn, Rockies righty Jason Marquis, Diamondbacks lefty Doug Davis and Dodgers righty Jon Garland.
Also, some of the same veterans you heard about last off season, will be available again this off season and they include; Phillies right-hander Pedro Martinez, Cardinals righty John Smoltz and Giants righty Brad Penny.
As for sleepers, consider Erik Bedard, Ben Sheets and Joel Pineiro to become more popular, especially once some of the healthier options are gone.
By the way, have you checked out Pedro’s stats since joining the Phillies?
It’s stuff like that which can really get me off to a bad day… Geez… I wasn’t that upset when he went to the Phillies, but mostly because I thought he was finished. Man was I wrong…
Should the Mets have any of the available pitchers on their radar?
Lackey will probably get an A.J. Burnett type deal from what I’m hearing, but what about some of the other options?
I would definitely take a shot on Joel Pineiro and offer a 3-year deal to him without hesitation. I always liked his stuff, and he really seems to have put it altogether this season with a 3.28 ERA in 183 innings pitched. What I love most is that he has only walked 20 batters all season long. I believe he would thrive in Citi Field.
