Omar's Plan

So, Omar obviously has a plan. He knows what scrutiny he's under coming off these last few seasons, so just because these pitchers seem to be drifting away, there is obviously a reason.

I remember what Omar said when everyone mid-09 wanted to know what he's going to do with the core players that are hurt and who he is trying to bring it. He responded that he's not going to acquire a short stop because he's not going to get one as good as Reyes is. I believe that that thinking is being transferred over to this offseason's pitching.

Omar has some serious confidence in Mike Pelfrey, John Maine, and Oliver Perez. If he feels that they're going to be on in 2010, he's not going to bring in a starter who he feels will be worse than what he has.

Everyone is saying that Omar is letting all these free agents slip away. That is probably not the case. Omar clearly is working on a trade to bring over a pitcher to further strengthen our rotation. He would've obviously not allowed Sheets to slip if he didn't have a plan. Lackey slipped, but nobody saw the Sox stepping in. Everyone else didn't really catch our attention. Come on... Joel Pineiro? Jon Garland? Why spend money on Garland, who gives you a 4 ERA guaranteed, when its possible Pelfrey, Maine and Perez might give you more? Everyone wanted to take a shot on Sheets, who is also a gamble, so why not gamble on your three young pitchers?

Mostly everybody wanted Sheets. Sure, he can be electric but he is also a gamble. If you think about it, so are Pelfrey, Maine and Perez. He clearly doesn't wanna spend money on lightning in a bottle when he has three young pitchers who can be those guys. We all know that when Pelfrey, Maine and Perez are on, they're ON. Instead of spending $10 mil on a pitcher who could be dominant, he's relying on those who are in the rotation who could be dominate as well.

In regard to Lackey, he let that one slip. He all know we had no shot at Halladay, as well. No Mets fan wanted Pineiro, so we can't complain about that. The only pitcher left that is worth the money is Chien-Ming Wang.

Wang could be a great top of the rotation starter that we're looking for and I think Omar should seriously consider his talent in the Mets rotation. This might be our last hope for signing a free agent top-tier pitcher.

Interesting Reads: Pineiro, F-Mart, McGwire, Sheets

Jeff S. of Mets Merized takes a look at Joel Pineiro.

Joseph Pascullo of the Queens Courier wonders if F-Mart should stay or go.

Eli from Mets Underground takes a look at Toy Story 3, the third part of the greatest series ever created (not really, but still).

Harris from Baseball From a Teen's Perspective looks at Mark McGwire and his career.

Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune says the Cubs are eyeing Ben Sheets.

Should the Mets step in on Sheets? I want him, but I also don't. If he's healthy, he can be lethal. I just don't know if I'd want to bring in an injury prone player after what happened last year. Call me superstitious, I just don't want that domino effect to happen again.

Addressing the rotation

Over the course of this off season so far, no moves have been made to resolve the black void of a rotation behind staff ace Johan Santana. Little moves have been made to improve the bullpen. Having a bullpen of Igarashi, Escobar, Stokes, Parnell, Green, and K-Rod surely can be argued as a decently strong bullpen.

Now on the rotation.

The rotation in 2009 was just awful. Between the injuries, we had no-names fill in and attempt to give it their all, which wasn't a lot. What will the rotation be in 2010 and how will it be addressed this off season? The following are possibilities, starting with what we have and going on to what we can get through the free agent market.

Johan Santana

He is the clear staff ace and a natural leader. We all expect a lot from him in 2010, and as usual he'll deliver.

Mike Pelfrey

Huge potential, huge head case. In 2008, his first full season as a starter, he put up a 3.70 ERA which was supposed to be the first step to becoming a dominate pitcher as he was speculated on being. Predicting this step forward, he was placed in the #2 slot. This step forward actually became two steps backwards as he put up a 5.03 ERA this season. Yes, he did show signs of dominance and it was exciting. When he's on, he's definitely on. I don't want to see him traded because I can see his potential. He has fantastic stuff but I feel needs more experience and more maturity. I want to see him be a steady pitcher in 2010 so he can be a solid #3 and maybe eventually fill that #2 spot.

John Maine

Maine's first year as a Met was fantastic, putting up a 3.60 ERA in 2006. The following years he put up 3.91, 4.18, and then 4.43 in 2009. I always envisioned Maine as a great reliever due to the fact he cannot last long in games. Given we get a starter, I feel Maine would be the first one shipped from the rotation to the pen.

Oliver Perez

Where do I even begin? In his seven years in the bigs, he's only had three good seasons, posting a 3.50 ERA in 2002 with the Padres, 2.98 in 2004 with the Pirates and 3.56 in 2007 with the Mets. I like his stuff but he seems to not be all there. Omir Santos said in an interview that Perez talks to himself on the mound all the time. Sometimes Omir thinks he's talking to him so he goes up to the mound to see what's up, then is told that he wasn't talking to him. Due to Ollie's big contract, he'll most likely be in the rotation for 2010. He has to step it up though. I like that this off season he's been working really hard in rehab to get himself in shape and completely ready for 2010.

Jon Niese

I like Niese. He's a young kid who is clearly an organization favorite. Though is fastball is pedestrian, his is curveball is fantastic. I remember Chris Carlin once called him Captain Hook one postgame due to this. I'd love to see him in the #5 spot in 2010, so hopefully he has a successful recovery. His injury was awful to watch and just a huge downer to me. A new face with a lot of potential gets the spot start and is eventually hurt and needs season ending surgery. I can't wait to hear about his progress and how he's doing in Sprig Training in competition for that 5th starter spot.

Now for a free agent...

Ben Sheets

Ben Sheets excites me. He'd be a great #2 behind Santana. When healthy, he's basically a Santana carbon-copy and an ace. I'd completely be all for Sheets, he's asking for $12 mil for one year deal and I might give it to him now. It might be pricey due to his injury given history, but at this point in time I'd be for it. Erik Bedard is another one to think of, but I like Sheets as our best opportunity. I feel he has the better arm and can give us more if healthy.

The 2010 rotation would look like Santana-Sheets-Pelfrey-Perez-Niese. If Sheets is healthy and his stuff is on, it can rival that of Santana's. The Santana/Sheets 1-2 is deadly and powerful. Pelfrey and Perez, given maturity and experience, would give you solid starts. I like Niese as our #5 because I feel Maine would be awesome in the bullpen. Niese can work out any kinks he has and show us what he's all about.