It has been widely reported that the Mets are interested in former Rockies pitcher Jason Marquis. The Mets still have John Lackey as their primary target, but Marquis intrigues them somewhat.
Marquis is definitely worth consideration and could prove to be a solid lower priced option for the Mets. Last season, he won 15 games for the Rockies , and he is only four wins away from reaching 100 in his career. The Mets are not the only team interested in Marquis, as he is starting to draw the attention of a few teams.
In 2009, Marquis had three complete games with the Rockies (which is more than the Mets had as a team) and also pitched a shutout. He also allowed just 15 homeruns all season long, less than Johan Santana who allowed 20 and Pelfrey our sinker baller who allowed 18.
There’s no question that he would be a solid addition to the Mets rotation. If the Mets do not get Lackey (knock on wood) than Marquis would be a better #2 starter than last season’s Pelfrey, and if we do get Lackey, Marquis would be a great option in the #3 slot.
Jason Marquis is a type B free agent which means he would not cost the Mets any draft pick compensation.
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post wrote that there’s no chance of Marquis returning to the Rockies, but ESPN’s Jayson Stark reports that the Phillies do indeed have interest in Marquis, as do the Nationals.
Marquis, 31, posted a 4.04 ERA, 4.8 K/9, and 3.3 BB/9 in 216 innings for the Rockies this year. He’s been portrayed as having a lousy second half, but he really only struggled in September.
The Staten Island native has made it well known that he strongly desires to pitch for the Mets who he grew up rooting for. Not too many free agents have been so eager to admit to that.
