As the off-season continues, more teams are content with rosters to go into the season with. Teams that have spent/traded considerably to upgrade are looking for steals, bargains, and next year's comeback story like Fernando Tatis. Because of this, there have been reports in the NY Post, the NY Daily News, and more suggesting that the Mets are in a great spot to get Derek Lowe or Oliver Perez (Buster Olney thinks both) for a steal.
Although I am cautiously optimistic about them signing a front end starter, I remain weary of Red Sox Nation coming in with a big deal for the services of Lowe. Also, the more affordable he or Perez seem, the more teams will be involved. Teams like the Cardinals, Brewers, Rangers, Dodgers, and Braves all came into the off-season with needs in the rotation. Some have addressed situations and some haven't. However, all would jump back in if the price was right (with the exception of the Cardinals maybe).
In a perfect world, Lowe and Perez are in Mets uniforms in 2009, A rotation of Santana, Lowe, Perez, Pelfrey, and Maine looks damn good on paper going into the season. The reality is that we will probably end up with Lowe, let Perez go to get the picks to recoup losing picks for the Rodriguez and Lowe signings, and sign somebody low level to compete with Niese for the fifth spot. Wolf, Redding, ...?
Reports indicate that Minaya is attempting to get the starting pitchers resolved before or soon after January 1st in order to make any small changes needed before spring training. One way or another, the Mets are not done and will have another starter or two in place.
Happy New Year!
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