The New York Mets took a blow today when free agent reliever Derek Lowe signed with the Atlanta Braves for 4 years/ $60 million. While the price for Lowe was steep and the Mets may have made the right decision not trying to top that number, it does not address the team's need for a true number 4 starter.
After staff ace Johan Santana, the team is expecting Mike Pelfrey in the 2 slot, John Maine to be number 3, and newly acquired pitcher Tim Redding to be number 4 or 5. The final spot is the team's concern and rightly so. Internal candidate Jonathon Niese is a possibility but with Pelfrey just coming of age, Niese having no experience, and Redding being a number 4 instead of number 5 starter, the Mets rotation will not be a solid as the World Champion Phillies or perhaps now even as strong as the Braves.
Oliver Perez is a possibility to return and the Mets could sign Randy Wolf or take another chance on Pedro Martinez, but how good are any of these choices? Perez will come with a Scott Boras price tag and as every Mets fan knows, you never know which Ollie will pitch on any given day. Wolf if a decent option if he can stay healthy but that is a big question mark. Martinez is a waste of money and a roster spot and the Mets are crazy to consider him coming back.
Unless the Mets pull off a trade, they will have a decent rotation but perhaps the third best in the National League East. While the Mets have improved their bullpen they still need another reliever or 2, at least one corner outfielder, bench players, and an upgrade at catcher. The Mets are a bit away from making a run to recapture the N.L. East.
Don't care if he did go to the Braves, as long as Lowe didn't join the Mets, I'm happy.
Posted by: Phillies Red Pinstripes | January 13, 2009 at 01:50 PM