Marcus Stroman going on the injured list on Wednesday was a huge blow to the Mets rotation, and potentially their overall chances of making the playoffs in the 2020 shortened season.

The rotation took a big hit when Zack Wheeler left for the Phillies and another when Noah Syndergaard had Tommy John surgery. The Mets are certainly going into the 2020 season with a less than ideal rotation and starting pitching depth.

End of 2019 Mets Rotation 

• Jacob deGrom
• Noah Syndergaard
• Zack Wheeler
• Marcus Stroman
• Steven Matz

Start of 2020 Mets Rotation

• Jacob deGrom
• Steven Matz
• Rick Porcello
• Michael Wacha
• David Peterson/Corey Oswalt/Erasmo Ramirez

Yikes. That’s a big drop for a team looking to have playoff aspirations in the 2020 season and beyond given Stroman, Porcello, and Wacha will be free agents after the season.

We don’t know how long Stroman will be out, but in a short season any injury can turn out to be a significant blow. The injury leaves the Mets with three options for the fifth start essentially:

David Peterson – LHP

Peterson, the Mets first round pick in 2017, impressed in the original Spring Training and pitched well again in Summer Camp. The left-hander has seen his velocity more consistently in the 91-93 range during camp after being more 88-92 during the 2019 season.

The 24-year-old had a 4.19 ERA, 3.19 FIP, and 122 strikeouts in 119 innings for the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies last season. He’s allowed just 11 home runs in 247 minor league innings.

With Peterson back in the low 90’s with his fastball – combined with a good slider and average change – he would be my pick for the Mets fifth starter spot. The best upside of the options and he’s looked like a guy ready to pitch in the big leagues. He’s not currently on the 40-man roster, but would be added in the offseason anyway to protect from the Rule 5 draft.

Corey Oswalt – RHP

The 26-year-old actually had a stretch of six starts in 2018 when he posted a respectable 3.94 ERA with the Mets. After that, the Mets kind of messed around with him having no concrete role and shuttling him between Flushing and Triple-A.

Oswalt made two relief appearances for the Mets in 2019, allowing nine runs in 6 2/3 innings. Though, in hitter friendly Triple-A, he posted a 2.91 ERA and 5.27 SO/BB over 86 innings for Syracuse.

The former seventh round pick fared well in Spring Training with only one earned run allowed in eight innings. Oswalt, like Peterson, has shown better fastball velocity recently with him being more 92-94 instead of 90-93 previously. Oswalt is on the 40-man roster, meaning he might be the most convenient pick.

Erasmo Ramirez – RHP

The veteran is on a minor league deal with the Mets, though he has impressed throughout the two preseason camps. In eight Spring Training innings, Ramirez allowed only one earned run on five hits, three walks, and struck out 10.

Ramirez, 30, allowed four runs in three innings during his old big league outing in 2019. He struggled to a 6.50 ERA in 45 innings for the Mariners in 2018. The last time Ramirez had success in the big leagues was in 2017 with a 3.92 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 62 innings for the Mariners.

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports that Ramirez is ticketed for the taxi squad to start the season, but things can change pretty quickly as teams shuffle their rosters before the 12:00 p.m. ET deadline on Thursday.

Photo by Ed Delany, MMO

Other In-House Options

The other option that gets mentioned the most by fans, is moving Seth Lugo into the rotation. Mets manager Luis Rojas has been pretty adamant that won’t happen this year (of course injuries can change plans). Mets could use Lugo as an Opener, or they could use someone else in that role as well.

One option could also be to go with a bullpen day every time they need a fifth starter. On one hand you’ve got more arms with the 30-man roster, but it’s also a bullpen with huge question marks in Jeurys Familia, Edwin Diaz, and Dellin Betances. If that trio shows strong early, that could adjust the Mets plans.

They have starters Jordan Humphreys, Thomas Szapucki, and Franklyn Kilome on the 40-man roster, none of them have been mentioned as options though as the trio works back from TJS. Another name not mentioned by Rojas is lefty Stephen Gonsalves, he has made multiple starts in camp and is on the 40.

Finally, the Mets could try to push Jacob deGrom to start more often, which sounds good in theory except that he’s dealt with a back issue in an already unusual preparation for a short season. Doesn’t sound like a wise move with a long-term investment.

Free Agent Group Not Very Appealing 

Mets could decide to look outside of the organization for depth – much like they recently did signing Juan Lagares and Brian Dozier. Problem with that, the cupboards are pretty bare.

Let’s look at current starting pitcher free agents:

• Bartolo Colon – RHP
• Jason Vargas – LHP
• Matt Harvey – RHP
• Ubaldo Jimenez – RHP
• Aaron Sanchez – RHP
• Clay Buchholz – RHP
• Clayton Richard – LHP
• Andrew Cashner – RHP
• Marco Estrada – RHP
• Danny Salazar – RHP

Frankly put, not much there. This could change as teams adjust their rosters in the coming days.

I’d Go With David Peterson

Mets certainly might go with Corey Oswalt given he’s on the 40-man roster already, but David Peterson is the best option to pitch the best in my opinion. If they chose Peterson to be the fifth starter, it’s likely Oswalt would be on the roster as well as the long man, so they can make that easy swap if need be.

The post Who Becomes the Mets Fifth Starter? appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Sandy Alderson spoke with media today in Port St. Lucie as detailed by Anthony Dicomo of MLB.com.

Despite his assistant GM, John Ricco, saying something to the contrary, Alderson gave a different tone about the Mets rotation:

“Notwithstanding many opinions to the contrary, I’m not convinced we need more pitching.”

“I actually think with where we are right now, we’re in pretty good shape. At the same time, we continue to monitor what’s out there and how we can continue to improve the team.”

Well, this is going to get the fans riled up a little. The Mets have been in need of a starting pitcher all offseason, and that hasn’t changed since they still haven’t added one.

However, do not get angry yet. This could very well be posturing just in case he can’t get any deal done. Now, everyone knows they need to get some insurance for the rotation. Alderson knows that and the whole organization knows that.

The latter quote is probably the more reliable one from this, as it would be hard to imagine Alderson not signing someone to a minor-league deal at the very least.

These quotes do appear to give off the vibe that they aren’t planning to sign anyone that will cost more than a one-year deal in all likelihood, though, unless if they find a bargain.

Rule out Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb.

It suggests Alderson really is likely looking at depth and that it is unlikely the Mets will sign anyone above the tier of the market that includes Jason Vargas, Andrew Cashner, John Lackey, and Jeremy Hellickson. At the very least, it is hard to imagine the team not signing someone like Ubaldo Jimenez to a minor-league deal.

The way the free agent market has progressed this winter, it is very possible one of these arms could fall into the Mets laps. However, they might not get their pick of the litter if they choose to go about it this way.

The post Sandy Alderson “Not Convinced” Mets Need to Add Pitcher appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Mike Puma of the New York Post recently reported that the New York Mets are expected to add one or two non-roster starting pitchers.

Though Puma also does note that Mets haven’t discussed specfoc names yet outside of Bartolo Colon which is said to be unlikely.

Sandy Alderson spoke on the Bart topic last night at the season ticket holder event saying it was unlikely that the Mets have a reunion with Big Sexy. Chris the Teacher had it on twitter.

Given we have no names rumored I will add a couple I think make sense on minor league deals with opt-outs. Former Indians starter Justin Masterson had a solid season in the PCL last year (4.13 ERA, 8.2 H/9, 0.4 HR/9) and worked with Mickey Callaway previously. Another pitcher that worked with Callaway is former Rockie Ubaldo Jimenez.

Jake Peavy has said he would like to comeback in 2018 and had some of his best seasons at the same time Alderson was in San Diego. Former two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum has also been working out in preparation to pitch in 2018.

I know, I know, none of those names are going to excite anyone but remember we’re talking about guys that won’t get guaranteed deals. No problem with bringing in a few guys that have had past success on minor league deals and simply cut bait in spring if they stink.

The post Mets Likely to Add Non-Roster SP, Colon Remains Unlikely appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Picture courtesy of the Rising Apple.

Good morning Mets fans! The MMO team wishes you all a Happy New Year!

Latest Mets News 

The Mets completed the set-up for the 2018 Winter Classic at Citi Field.

Latest MLB News 

Joel Sherman of the New York Post opines that the New York Yankees priority should be acquiring a second baseman, not a starting pitcher.

Jon Heyman of the FanRag Sports Network has the latest on the Christian Yelich and J.T. Realmuto trade front.

Latest NL East News 

Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post writes about how Sammy Solis wants to prove that he is reliable to the Washington Nationals.

Kyle Downing of MLB Trade Rumors takes inventory of the Miami Marlins.

Mark Bowman of MLB.com reflects on the Atlanta Braves’ 2017 season.

Todd Zolecki of MLB.com does the same, but focuses on the top five positive moments of 2017 for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Latest on MMO

Chris Gaine argues that the Mets should not give up on Dominic Smith.

John Sheridan asks the writers about the Mets New Years’ Resolution in this MMO Roundtable.

Rob Piersall focuses on Ubaldo Jimenez in his Shopping at the Dollar Store article.

Piersall also debates if Zack Wheeler should be a starter or reliever going forward.

Mike Silva discusses the return of Omar Minaya in this edition of the Talkin’ Mets Podcast.

In a conference call with the editorial staff on Friday, Joe D. told us he woke up from a terrifying nightmare where he logged onto MMO and it was Mets Police.

“It was awful. I found myself irresistibly tempted to write about blue and orange boxer briefs I saw at Dollar General, while trying to perform unnatural sex acts with a game console to get more attention on Mets Twitter. I never felt more useless in my life.”

This Day in Mets History

Birthdays: Rick Aguilera turns 56.

The post Morning Briefing: Happy New Year’s Eve! appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Ubaldo Jimenez and Matt Harvey. The two have more in common than you might think. At least, in the eyes of new Mets manager Mickey Callaway.

Callaway recently spoke to John Harper of the New York Daily News and said he’s seen what Harvey is going through before in the form of Jimenez and just needs to get him back on the right track.

“Matt is obviously a guy that’s had great success, and needs a little bit of direction right now,” Callaway said last week. “And I’ve been around a guy like that, Ubaldo Jimenez.

“It seems like a very similar case. You just get confused in what’s going on and you’re not sure how to right the ship. And it can be a very simple process.”

Jimenez has mostly been a journeyman type pitcher throughout his career, but under Callaway’s watch in 2013, he pitched to a 13-9 record with a 3.30 ERA. He hopes the same can be accomplished with Harvey.

It was a rough year in 2017 for the Mets right-hander, who pitched to a 5-7 record with a 6.70 ERA, 6.37 FIP, 1.694 WHIP and had a career low 6.5 K/9. Harvey was coming off surgery to relieve Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and also dealt with atrophy in his pitching shoulder.

His velocity was working its way back up towards the end of the season, but his pitches looked flat and hitters made him pay.

Super agent Scott Boras said last month that he is going to put a substantial throwing program in place for Harvey this winter at his southern California sports institute.

“Matt has been blessed with a lower half that is one of the strongest we have ever seen,” Boras told the New York Post. “He is an amazingly strong athlete. So, from our standpoint the clay is there to build the sculpture. His velocity is more than enough at 95 (mph) and he has a ceiling above that.

“This is about command and command does relate to conditioning and strength. What Matt went through with the TOS (thoracic outlet syndrome), he did not have the type of conditioning last offseason you do when you have normal health. He will have that chance this offseason.”

A dejected Matt Harvey was relieved when his hellish season came to a close, but now he is in his walk year and will have every opportunity to make the most of it before hitting the open market.

“Coming back from this process has been curveball, curveball of different feelings and different strengths,” Harvey said of the relatively unknown rehab from the surgery last month. “It’s new for a lot of people and something I tried to push through at times through pain and weakness. I think I just kind of put myself in a hole throughout that process.

“The positive is this nightmare of a season is over for me. I can look forward to a progressive offseason of getting everything back and making sure I am in good shape for spring training.”

I don’t take the Harvey comparison to Ubaldo Jimenez as a bad one. Jimenez was a promising young arm when he first came up and even finished third in the 2010 National League Cy Young voting.

The only difference is, Harvey is trying to work his way back from a very unpredictable surgery, on top of also having undergone Tommy John. I expect him to really work his rear end off this offseason to try and secure a nice deal for himself next winter, but it will be an uphill climb.

I think the tandem of Callaway and Dave Eiland is as good as anyone to try and get him on the right track, and hey, if he does have a similar season to that of Jimenez’s from 2013, that would be very good for a No. 3 starter.

I’m rooting for Harvey, I really am. I hope that he doesn’t mope about last season and instead gets angry and comes back with his fiery demeanor of old.

The post Callaway Hopes To Get Harvey Back To Vintage Form appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The New York Mets will complete their two game set at Camden Yards on Wednesday night against the Baltimore Orioles at  7:05 PM.

Noah Syndergaard (7-6, 3.07) starts for the Mets in the finale and he opposes Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (9-7, 3.92). 

Syndergaard is 7-1 with a 1.82 ERA at Citi Field and 0-5 with a 5.01 ERA on the road. But he’s changing his pre game regimen tonight to try and improve his road performance.

Mets Starting Lineup

1. Curtis Granderson RF
2. Daniel Murphy 2B
3. Yoenis Cespedes DH
4. Lucas Duda 1B
5. Juan Uribe 3B
6. Travis d’Arnaud C
7. Michael Conforto LF
8. Wilmer Flores SS
9. Juan Lagares CF
10. Noah Syndergaard P

The game got a little a dicey at the end, but the Mets were able to hold off the Orioles last night and snap their three game losing streak. Curtis Granderson got the Mets on the board immediately with a lead-off homer and then added a second homer later in the game while Jacob deGrom dominated for 7.2 innings. The ninth inning was a bit of an adventure, but it doesn’t matter the Mets won the game and look to take the two game set tonight.

Noah Syndergaard is 7-6 over 17 games and 105.2 innings with a 3.07 ERA. Two starts ago was quite rough for Noah as he allowed 5 ER over 4.0 innings and rebounded nicely in his last start allowing 3 ER over 7.0 (d’Arnaud took some blame for the pitch sequence in the first inning that allowed multiple runs). He missed the Orioles this year and he hasn’t faced anyone on the Orioles roster yet in a major league game.

Ubaldo Jimenez is 9-7 over 23 starts and 131.0 innings while posting a 3.92 ERA. So far in August he has made one brilliant start against the Angels holding them scoreless for 8.0 innings sandwiched between two below-average starts. This has been the story of his season recently as he was having a terrific season up to the All-Star break. Earlier this year he faced the Mets allowing 3 ER over 6 hits and 4.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Ubaldo:

• K Johnson 8-34, 4 2B
• Granderson 3-13, 3B, HR
• Uribe 5-14, 2 2B
• Cespedes 3-10, HR
• Cuddyer 1-9
• Murphy 1-8

Lets Go Mets!

The post MMO Game Thread: Mets vs Orioles, 7:05 PM appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Joel Sherman of the NY Post, writes that the Baltimore Orioles still have interest in Ike Davis, to serve primarily as a designated hitter.

Sherman shares:

Baltimore believes it has several options, including free agents Nelson Cruz and Kendrys Morales. However, both of those players were made qualifying offers, which means any team – other than their last one – that signs either would lose its highest draft pick.

The Orioles surrendered the 17th pick in June’s draft to sign Ubaldo Jimenez.

Sherman continues:

Nevertheless, if Baltimore wants to avoid expending another draft pick and significant dollars, it can go for Ike Davis, who clearly intrigues the organization and makes $3.5 million this year. He shares some similarities with Chris Davis – a lefty swinger with clear power who has faltered with his original organization.

There is interest in Davis with the Orioles and even the Pirates, as reported on Tuesday by Jayson Stark of ESPN, so if the Mets are still interested in moving Ike, it will all come down to what both teams would offer for his services.

The post Orioles Still Interested In Ike Davis appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

He has until Friday, January 24th to sign with a MLB club, and until he’s signed, sealed, and delivered – the rest of the free agent pitching market is in limbo.

The Yankees want Tanaka, but will he sign to play in New York?

Once he signs, the rest of the market will begin to fall. If I were the agent of 4 of the 5 top remaining Free Agent starters, I would hope that Tanaka signs anywhere, but the Bronx. Why? Because with the Yankees desperate to improve their starting pitching, they’ll be in the hunt for at least one or two of the top remaining arms and that means big dollars and over-sized deals.

That lull in the big-name free agent market is about to end and the Hot Stove will be heating up again by the end of this week.

Top 5 Remaining Free Agent Starting Pitchers:

Ubaldo Jimenez – Back in 2010, Ubaldo looked like he was about to become one of the dominant pitchers in the game. He was taming the thin air in Colorado and in the first half of the season, he went 15-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 18 starts. He came back to Earth with a 4-7 record and a 3.80 ERA in the second half. His 2011 and 2012 seasons weren’t anything spectacular by any imagination going a combined 19-30 (including a league leading 17 losses with the Indians in 2012) and saw his ERA climb to 4.68 and 5.40 over those two years. He returned back to form in 2013 for the Indians, going 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA and had a strong second half – going 6-5 with a 1.82 ERA in 13 starts down the stretch after a 4.56 ERA in the first half. He does take the ball regularly and will give whatever team signs him innings and has started at least 31 games for six consecutive seasons. If I were a GM, I’d be hesitant to tie up a lot of money and a lot of years in him. He’s a pitcher that had a great first half of 2010, a strong second half of 2013, and a lot of mediocre in between.

Ervin Santana – Ervin will take the ball. He’s started at least 30 games for the last four seasons and at least 23 games in all of his 9 MLB seasons. While he only had a 9-10 record last year, he posted a career low 3.24 ERA in 211 innings. He’s posted a sub-4 ERA 3 of the last 4 years while pitching over 200 innings those same three years. He was solid both at home and on the road as well as in the first and second half of 2013. Aside from his terrible 2012 season, his splits were also relatively consistent in 2010 and 2011. I wouldn’t go anywhere near the 5 years and $100 million he was reportedly asking, for he’s nowhere near a $20 million per year pitcher – but the back of his baseball card suggests that he’ll take the ball, give you innings, and more than likely will give you a solid outing.

Matt Garza – Every time I think of Matt Garza, I think of him spitting. Because he does it. A lot. That aside, we’re looking at a pitcher that’s made just 24 and 18 starts the last two seasons after a stress fracture in his elbow that cost him the end of 2012 and a lat strain that cost him the beginning of 2013. These injuries aside, he’s posted a sub-4 ERA for 7 straight seasons. 2014 will be his age 30 season. He may be a career .500 pitcher, but he can be a solid addition and a winning pitcher on a good team.

A.J. Burnett – A.J. is going into his age 37 season, but once he got out of New York, he’s proved he can still pitch – posting ERA’s of 3.30 and 3.51 in 2013 and 2012. He’s started at least 30 games each of the last 6 seasons and has had an ERA of 4.07 or lower in 8 of the last 10 seasons (the only exception being his last two years with the Yankees). A.J. will probably look to stay in the National League and in a smaller market. As long as he’s not in the Bright Lights, Big City – he should still be able to put up Big Numbers, Big Results for the right team next year.

Bronson Arroyo – Bronson is also entering his age 37 season but he also takes the ball every five days without fail. Arroyo’s made no fewer than 29 starts the last 10 years and since 2005, the only time he failed to reach 200 innings was in 2011 where he threw 199 innings. He’s also posted an ERA between 3.74 and 3.88 in 4 of the last 5 seasons. He should still be able to repeat over the next year or two.

The post Pitching Market On Hold Until Tanaka Signs By Friday Deadline appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Jim Bowden of ESPN (Insider Subscription) polled a few general managers about the offseason so far, and when he asked them who they thought would be busts, one American League GM picked Curtis Granderson, while Olney himself picked Chris Young.

Which available free agent likely bombs with his new team and why? 

AL GM: “I think Ubaldo Jimenez will bomb. I don’t think he’ll ever be able to repeat his delivery well enough to be a consistent winner, and someone will give him a multiyear deal, while sacrificing a draft pick, that they’ll soon regret.”

NL GM: “I’m still a little skeptical of [Ervin] Santana and Jimenez. I’m not sure they will ‘bomb,’ but there is a reason [other than draft picks] they are still available.”

AL GM: “I think Curtis Granderson will bomb with the Mets. I think his power will be reduced to 20 home runs in that park and the strikeouts will be a problem with their thin lineup. I also think the player will begin his decline over the next year and a half.”

Bowden’s bottom line: For me, it’s the Mets’ other outfield signing — Chris Young — who will bomb. Young has been in rapid decline over the past four years, as his OBP dropped to a career-low .280 in 2013. He still has 20-home run, 20-stolen base ability, but his low average and high strikeout rate mean he cannot be an effective everyday player. He’s a solid clubhouse contributor but I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up as an $7.25 million fourth outfielder by the All-Star break.

MMO’s Bottom Line: Seriously, who cares what Jim Bowden thinks… It’s easy for them to pick Young and Grandy as busts considering the season each player is coming off, the strikeouts, and the age and length of the deal in Grandy’s case. However, I wouldn’t read too much into this. I’m shocked nobody picked Jhonny Peralta, Jacoby Ellsbury and Robinson Cano. All three of them have the biggest risk of being a bust for their new teams in my opinion.

The post Bowden: Curtis Granderson and Chris Young Will Be Busts? appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The most coveted starting pitcher on the market this year, Japanese sensation Masahiro Tanaka, may or may not be posted by the Rakuten Golden Eagles.

The possibility still exists that he may be posted prior to spring training, but the date has already passed when most of the Japanese players that have been posted and signed to major league contracts has already passed.

Since the posting system was implemented following Hideki Irabu‘s refusal to sign with the Padres (and subsequently forcing his way onto the Yankees) – ten players have been posted and eventually signed to Major League contracts. Only one player (Kazuhisa Ishii) was posted after mid-December (January 3, 2002 by the Yakult Swallows). Even if he does post at a late date, teams (like the Yankees) who were hoping to land the import are going to have to start looking at other options to add a top pitcher to their rotation. It will be on to Plan B (or Plan C if they’re hoping to trade for David Price).

Top 5 Remaining Free Agent Starting Pitchers:

Ubaldo Jimenez – Back in 2010, Ubaldo looked like he was about to become one of the dominant pitchers in the game. He was taming the thin air in Colorado and in the first half of the season, he went 15-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 18 starts. He came back to Earth with a 4-7 record and a 3.80 ERA in the second half. His 2011 and 2012 seasons weren’t anything spectacular by any imagination going a combined 19-30 (including a league leading 17 losses with the Indians in 2012) and saw his ERA climb to 4.68 and 5.40 over those two years. He returned back to form in 2013 for the Indians, going 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA and had a strong second half – going 6-5 with a 1.82 ERA in 13 starts down the stretch after a 4.56 ERA in the first half. He does take the ball regularly and will give whatever team signs him innings and has started at least 31 games for six consecutive seasons. If I were a GM, I’d be hesitant to tie up a lot of money and a lot of years in him. He’s a pitcher that had a great first half of 2010, a strong second half of 2013, and a lot of mediocre in between.

Ervin Santana – Ervin will take the ball. He’s started at least 30 games for the last four seasons and at least 23 games in all of his 9 MLB seasons. While he only had a 9-10 record last year, he posted a career low 3.24 ERA in 211 innings. He’s posted a sub-4 ERA 3 of the last 4 years while pitching over 200 innings those same three years. He was solid both at home and on the road as well as in the first and second half of 2013. Aside from his terrible 2012 season, his splits were also relatively consistent in 2010 and 2011. I wouldn’t go anywhere near the 5 years and $100 million he was reportedly asking, for he’s nowhere near a $20 million per year pitcher – but the back of his baseball card suggests that he’ll take the ball, give you innings, and more than likely will give you a solid outing.

Matt Garza – Every time I think of Matt Garza, I think of him spitting. Because he does it. A lot. That aside, we’re looking at a pitcher that’s made just 24 and 18 starts the last two seasons after a stress fracture in his elbow that cost him the end of 2012 and a lat strain that cost him the beginning of 2013. These injuries aside, he’s posted a sub-4 ERA for 7 straight seasons. 2014 will be his age 30 season. He may be a career .500 pitcher, but he can be a solid addition and a winning pitcher on a good team.

A.J. Burnett – A.J. is going into his age 37 season, but once he got out of New York, he’s proved he can still pitch – posting ERA’s of 3.30 and 3.51 in 2013 and 2012. He’s started at least 30 games each of the last 6 seasons and has had an ERA of 4.07 or lower in 8 of the last 10 seasons (the only exception being his last two years with the Yankees). A.J. should probably look to stay in the National League and in a smaller market. As long as he’s not in the Bright Lights, Big City – he should still be able to put up Big Numbers, Big Results for the right team next year.

Bronson Arroyo – Bronson is also entering his age 37 season and he also takes the ball. He’s made no fewer than 29 starts the last 10 years and since 2005, the only time he failed to reach 200 innings was in 2011 where he threw 199 innings. He’s also posted an ERA between 3.74 and 3.88 in 4 of the last 5 seasons. He should still be able to repeat over the next year or two.

The post The Free Agent Market Shifts to Pitching appeared first on Metsmerized Online.