According to FoxSports, the Mets have shown some interest in talking to John Smoltz, presumably as a starter. The 42 year old was rather unSmoltz-like last year with the Red Sox after rehabbing back from surgery on his shoulder. He did a little better and had a decent k/inning ratio with the Cardinals, however his fastball was pedestrian in the low 90's as compared to his lively mid 90's heat before surgery.
Smoltz has always been a bad-ass against the Mets. Part of me thinks yeah go for him. However, the reality is, he has had shoulder surgery and 4 operations on his elbow. When is his arm going to finally fall off??? If we are talking a low risk deal like he signed with Boston last year, fine. He should in no way impede the possibility of a Lackey, Wolf, et al. signing though. I wouldn't even mind bringing him in if he would go for an eighth inning role. He should be in a better position health wise now that he is father removed from his shoulder surgery. According to reports he is open to starting or relieving.
According to his agent, Marco Scutaro has drawn interest from a lot of teams regarding 2B, SS, and 3B. He has been playing SS but has the ability to move all around the diamond. Scutaro's first shot in the bigs came from the Mets. He did fine as a utility guy and left on the waiver wire to Oakland. He made a bit of a name there and was traded to the Blue Jays. Last year Scutaro was given the daily SS job by Cito Gaston and he responded nicely. The just turned 34 year old seems to have progressed to a solid performer.
I would not mind Scutaro for a year at 2B to see what he has. I do not see any reason to sign him longer. I think that might be overvaluing him a bit. Again, I am not against Castillo coming back for another season. I think he is young enough and a professional that he could repeat 2009 as he has had similar seasons in the past.
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