Poll: The Fifth Starter Competition
Free-agent LHP Odalis Perez told Yahoo! Sports 
that nine of 10 teams are interested in signing him.
The 31-year-old Perez was 7-12 with a 4.54 ERA for the Nationals in 2008.
He signed a minor-league deal with the Nationals, then refused to go to camp, he was released and is now a free agent.
…i would not be surprised to hear the Mets are among the interested teams, though they certainly have enough people in camp already who are competing for the vacant fifth starter’s spot…
Livan Hernandez will pitch against the the Nationals today, in a game that will not be televised by SNY.
Meanwhile, Tim Redding is scheduled to throw batting practice tomorrow, then face the University of Michigan on Sunday.
…to say Freddy Garcia is trailing in the race to be the team’s fifth starter would be an understatement… instead, i’m thinking garcia will end up remaining with the Mets, while working out in extended spring training, because, given what he has shown so far, i’m not sure what team will 
step up to guarantee him more than that… plus, at this point, he has a deal in place with the Mets that could pay him decent money should he eventually be called up mid-season…
Garcia has allowed eight runs, five hits and four walks in just 2.2 innings this spring for the Mets.
Jon Niese pitched two innings, let up two runs and two hits, including one home run, while walking two and striking out.
[poll id="222"]
