Even should the Mets sign Derek Lowe, he won’t be enough for their pitching staff. Lowe would put the Mets’ rotation four deep, with a question for No. 5. I like Jon Niese’s potential, but I’m not ready to say with confidence 30 times, “here’s the ball, give me six strong.”
Are you?
With Lowe, I’d still make a run at Randy Wolf. Oliver Perez? Yeah, it would be nice to get him, but I’m thinking the Mets won’t spend that much.
The Mets have a three-year, $36-million offer on the table to Derek Lowe, which is considerably less than the five year, $90-million he was seeking.
Lowe has averaged 15 wins and over 200 innings the last seven seasons, which statistically would make him the Mets’ No. 2 pitcher.
His production blows away that of Oliver Perez, who has being 27, left-handed and a blazing fastball in his arsenal.
While Lowe’s career is marked by durability and inconsistency, Perez’s is the opposite.
Agent Scott Boras is throwing out the mystery teams again, saying there are more teams interested now than a week ago.
He doesn’t have to go to the trouble, because in addition to the Mets, there is Boston and Philadelphia.
The Mets rank their pitching priorities as Lowe, Perez and Randy Wolf.
Has been an eventful few days. Hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and are bracing for the New Year. Just pulled in from visiting my family in Ohio. Decided to drive. Yup. That was a mistake. Should have sucked it up and gone with the flight. But, not working full time has me thinking about saving the bucks.
Lousy weather before the trip has leaks coming in later. Buckets all over the place. Gift card from Home Depot came in handy.
Have been busy which explains the lull in posting the past week. But, there’s been a lull with the Mets, too.
Last I checked, they were hot after Derek Lowe. Their fourth starter priorities are Lowe, Oliver Perez and Randy Wolf. I thought Lowe would end up back with the Red Sox. Didn’t think the Mets would go that hard for him, but they are tired of Perez’s inconsistency.
REDDING: On the Mets' radar.
Redding will be 30 when spring training opens. His most important stat is 182 innings. He had a 120-65 strikeouts-to-walks ratio last year.
His record wasn’t great, but it’s sure to improve with the Mets’ offense.
GM Omar Minaya wouldn’t confirm Redding by name, but did say the Mets would look at “anybody that could help us.’’
Spending the afternoon getting snowed in. What better time to talk about the Mets’ pitching?
I want the Mets to bring back Oliver Perez because I still believe there is an upside there, but I also want them to add somebody else, like a Randy Wolf, because I know there will be a need.
I can’t see giving the ball to Jon Niese 33 times and having everything be all right. The Mets have upgraded, but not to where they are a slam dunk to overtake the Phillies. I want them to get two starters, and worry about slotting in guys from the minor leagues later.
