WEEI Radio in Boston reported Red Sox utility infielder Alex Cora is close to signing a one-year, $2 million deal with the Mets.
In 75 games, Cora, 33, hit .270 with a .371 OBP, while playing second base and shortstop. The .245 career hitter has also played left field, third base and first.
Sixty million over four years got it done for Derek Lowe with the Braves. The Mets were a year and $24 million short. Oliver Perez, who should feel unwanted right about now, wants four years and the Mets are at three.
Ben Sheets is still out there, injured arm and all. So are Pedro Martinez and Randy Wolf. Whatever the signing, it has been a disappointing winter for the Mets regarding their starting pitching.
The Mets entered the offseason wanting to address their bullpen, but that includes getting starters capable of eating innings. It is not unfair to attach questions to four of the five starters after Johan Santana.
Mike Pelfrey: Will he continue to progress or hit a wall, which often happens in a pitcher’s development.
John Maine: Coming off surgery.
Tim Redding: A .500 pitcher last year with a lifetime losing record. OK, for a fifth starter, but the expectations could rise.
Fifth starter: To be determined. Jon Niese will compete. Bringing back Martinez might have to be the plan.
If GM Omar Minaya isn’t confident, then there’s no reason for you to be.
Minaya placed the odds at “50-50” the Mets will add a bigger-named pitcher than Tim Redding, saying, “you’re never too confident.”
Here’s why.
With reports of the Braves having a $60 million package on the table for Derek Lowe, and Oliver Perez wanting four years while the Mets prefer three, they could be forced to fall back on Randy Wolf and Pedro Martinez.
I like Redding as a fifth starter, but if all this pans out, he could end up fourth which leaves the Mets vulnerable in the back end of the rotation.
All that work fixing the bullpen could be wasted if twice a week the Mets aren’t going deep into the game with their starter.
THE PATCH
The Mets are getting roasted these days for the patch design they’ll wear on their uniform sleeves this season to commemorate their first year at Citi Field.
The criticisms range from a lack of flash to the failure to mention Citi Field by name. I think the fundamental flaw is it’s not something that would prompt anybody to buy it on a T-shirt or cap.
It’s quite simple, and prompts the basic question: What do you think?
Assuming this is it, that Tim Redding is the last offseason piece to the Mets’ puzzle, are you satisfied with the job general manager Omar Minaya has done this winter? What kind of grade would you give him?
