In a wild afternoon of hot stove baseball, Joel Pineiro has signed a 2 year deal with the Angels for $16 million and Doug Davis has signed with the Brewers for 1 season and $5.25 million. While Davis was only named a bit in connection with the Mets, Pineiro has been linked to the team all off season as a top target. It now seems that the Mets may have never had a shot at Pineiro as they essentially offered the same type of deal.
As far as I am concerned, I could care less about both of these guys. Pineiro had a good 2009 season and besides that, a career of low skill with high expectations. Mark my words, the Angels will be sorry that they wasted $16 million on this guy for two reasons. First, he is a one hit wonder. Pineiro is way to hittable and even with his control. He hasn't shown anything over a career of almost good. As good of a season last year was for him, he still gave up more hits than innings pitched, he still lost 12 games, and he still had a career low 4.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
Davis is like a million other average innings eaters. He will hopefully keep you in the games he pitches, win some, and get blown out in a couple. As long as he doesn't end up against another team's 1, 2, or number 3 starter, he should hold his own most of the time. However, I feel like Davis can be found any day of the week and a team like the Mets, a playoff contention team, should not be looking at guys like Davis.
Where do the Mets go from here? Two of the main free agent starters available are now off the board. One of them was being chased by the team. The remaining available options are either poor or highly sought after. The Mets have been linked in trade talks with the Reds, Royals, even the Cubs, but no fit has been made. Sheets, Washburn, Bedard, and others remain available and will be looked at. However, one thing is clear. The Mets cannot go into the 2010 season with the current staff. Too many questions, not enough arms. As February approaches, things will be forced to shake out.
Here's to hoping for a combo of Ben Sheets/John Smoltz, and a little Orlando Hudson to round us out.
Sheets/Garland would be nice i like that combo better Garland is going to have to face the fact there is no need on the West Coast now for a SP.
Posted by: Mike | January 21, 2010 at 06:00 PM