Starting Pitcher: Too Many Names for One Title
In Newsday, Ken Davidoff writes, “The Mets have one more expensive acquisition on their docket. They want to acquire a starting pitcher, either their own free agent, Oliver Perez, or a suitable replacement.”
…as i said yesterday, i still believe the team’s preferred plan is to sign Derek Lowe and either trade for or sign a young, out-of-favor back-end starting pitcher to compete with niese…now, whether that will or can happen is another thing, but i do believe it is the preferred path, as it should be…
Instead, Davidoff believes the Mets will likely sign a ‘retread veteran,’ such as a Freddy Garcia or Eric Milton, to replace Pedro Martinez and compete with Jon Niese.
The Mets are wary of Ben Sheets, says Davidoff, adding that Jon Garland and Randy Wolf are not as appealing to Minaya as are Perez and Lowe, ‘because of the drop-off in quality.’
That said, according to the Daily News, ‘The Mets have expressed interest in free-agent RHP Tim Redding.’
In 33 starts, Redding was 10-11 with a 4.95 ERA through 182 innings for the Nationals last season.
As McCarron points out, Redding was 3-1 with a 3.41 ERA in five starts against the Phillies last season.
Additionally, according to MLB Trade Rumors, the Mets checked in on Japanese free-agent starting pitcher Kenshin Kawakami during the MLB Winter Meetings Vegas last week.
Of course, Kawakami’s agent met with nearly 15 teams during the Meetings, including the Braves, says Roch Kubatko of MASN.
Lastly, 11 teams have shown interest in free-agent starting pitcher Daniel Cabrera, who has been offered a multi-year deal from at least one team, reports the Baltimore Sun.
Yesterday, on XM Radio’s MLB Home Plate, Cabrera’s agent said the Mets have not talked to him directly.
