Starting Pitcher: The Mets and a Starting Pitcher
Mets GM Omar Minaya told reporters earlier today that he has checked in with a variety of free-agent starting pitchers, and he has talked with other teams about potential trades.
That said, from what I understand, though they have been in contact with his office, the Mets have yet to sit down with Scott Boras while in Vegas.
According to people connected to the team, the Mets are unwilling to give Oliver Perez a 
four-year deal; they prefer Derek Lowe, but only to a point; and they have only ‘limited interest in Jon Garland.’
I believe the team would prefer to do better than Garland, frankly – though I personally feel he’d be a good addition, even on a two-year deal.
According to previous reports, the Mets have shown interest in free-agent Randy Wolf, but I have never heard his name mentioned by people familiar with the team’s strategy.
Also, for what it’s worth, I never hear Ben Sheets mentioned, which I hope is just coincidence – since he, too, would be worth signing on a shorter-term deal.
The sense I get is Boras will hold off on serious talks for Perez, who is said to be seeking a four-
year deal, until late December. To me, it makes sense for him to work on deals for Lowe, and other top clients, while then pitching Perez to teams who were ‘left at the alter,’ so to speak.
This is why I feel the Mets must hold on to their prospects, and not use them in a deal for a bat or a set-up man, because my hunch is they’re going to need them when trying to upgrade their starting rotation.
Ultimately, as has been suggested in multiple reports, I believe the Mets will be forced to sign a free-agent starting pitcher, Garland if necessary, then trade for a younger pitcher who we didn’t see coming, to compete with Jon Niese.
Speaking of starting pitchers…
Jon Heyman at SI.com believes the Yankees could make a five-year offer to free-agent A.J. Burnett.
The Cubs need to trade Jason Marquis, in order to get Jake Peavy from the Padres, reports Jeff Passan at Yahoo! Sports – for the tedious blow-by-blow, go to MLB Trade Rumors.
The Journal-Sentinel says the Brewers have not increased their offer to CC Sabathia, according to the team’s GM.
Lastly, Danny Knobler from CBS Sports believes the Angels are still a serious suitor for Sabathia.
