Quick Q&A: Joel Pineiro, the Mets and Money
Sam, a reader of MetsBlog, sent in an e-mail that said:
“I’m surprised I haven’t heard anything about Joel Pineiro. He is a free agent this off season and always kills the Mets. I think he would be a nice pick up. He’s ground ball pitcher, and had a 3.49 ERA this season. What do you think?”
The 31–year-old Pineiro was 15–12 
with a 3.49 ERA in 32 starts this season, including 214 innings, during which he walked just 27 batters and struck out 105.
John Lackey will be seeking a five-year deal, and so the early buzz in baseball suggests Pineiro is likely to land a two-year deal, worth around $20 million, which is what pitchers like Jon Garland, Rich Harden and Randy Wolf are likely to get as well.
I have always been intrigued by Pineiro, because he has very good control, a wicked curve ball and good command. The thing is, he’s had a very sporadic career… he’s been healthy, then injured, good, then bad, he gets hit hard, then he cruises, he’s a reliever, then he’s starter, and who knows what he’ll be next season.
Sure, I’d sign up for having 2009’s Joel Pineiro on the Mets, but his 2009 season also occurred under the guidance of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, who seems like King Midas when it comes to turning pitchers around.
The days of Johan Santana, some random, washed-up, veteran fifth starter, and three guys named Hope, Maybe and Potential, has to be a thing of the past. The Mets need at least one other reliable pitcher besides Santana.
