According to a report by Andy Martino of the Daily News, the Mets do have the payroll flexibility to add another starter “if they remain in contention”. That’s a big “if” of course.
A person with direct knowledge of the Mets’ thinking also told Martino that the team has no interest in bringing Pedro Martinez back to Queens.
The Mets got a taste of just how unstable their rotation is after watching Oliver Perez, who they counted on for 15 wins, pitch his way out of the rotation and into the doghouse. If that wasn’t bad enough, John Maine has been wildly inconsistent, has no life on his fastball, and is losing confidence quickly. Also, they may or may not get some bad news on Jon Niese today who was removed from yesterday’s game after his hamstring injury flared up.
Omar Minaya gambled that this rotation would be solid enough to compete for a championship, but nobody believes that now, even Omar. The Mets ideally need two legitimate starters including a top of the rotation starter which of course may be difficult to acquire unless the Mets are willing to part with some top talent. But even one reliable innings eater would be a big boon to a rotation that has already burned out their bullpen in May.
The Mets have been in contact with several teams about pitching, but Martino says that those conversations are “preliminary” for now.
I’m sure they will check in on Roy Oswalt who is currently in the top ten in strikeouts, innings pitched, ERA and WHIP. But I get the idea he may be too rich for their blood. While poking around to see who the early season bottom dwellers are, I came across a couple of other potential targets like Kevin Millwood, Jason Vargas, and even Cliff Lee if the Mariners continue to struggle. The problem with trading for any of these pitchers is that their respective teams might wait until late June before moving them so as not to give their fans the impression that they are tossing in the towel at mid-season.
For now the Mets will have to make do with in-house options like R.A. Dickey, Dillon Gee, Hisanori Takahashi or Pat Misch. Strap yourselves in everybody. It could be a bumpy ride.
