Ok, enough already

Dear Mets Fans,

A lot has been made about the Mets offseason and their inability to land a #2 starting pitcher.

I’m not happy about it either… I would have LOVED to see John Lackey here, but Boston gave him a great contract.

After that I wanted Ben Sheets, because I feel he was worth the risk. However, the normally cash-strapped Oakland A’s gave Sheets a crazy $10 Million Dollar contract. As much as I wanted Sheets… I wouldn’t have done that. Six? Yes. Ten? No way.

Aside from that, what was really out there? Joel Pineiro? Randy Wolf? Did you REALLY want to see then Mets give either of those guys a larger 3 year contract just for them to basically be a #3 or #4? It’s one thing to need a #2… it’s another to assume that ANY pitcher available is a good fit for that role.

Would I have signed Jason Marquis for the same cash that Washington gave him? Absolutely. That, in the end, is really the ONLY starting pitcher that I will blame the Mets for by not getting him, but even Marquis isn’t a “no brainer” #2 starter.

If the Mets had given Joel Pineiro three years and $24 million dollars and he went 9-12 with a 4.76 ERA in 2010, the screams would have been loud and angry. “Look at Omar wasting money on a #4 starter!”

Listen people… I’m not too keen on the Mets offseason moves either. I openly question their process and have to really wonder what in God’s name they are doing, but I refuse to slam this team for not overspending on middle of the road players. They felt what they had was just as good as the Wolfs, Pineiros and Washburns and you know… I have to agree.

Next year (and even in this season) there will be more pitchers available who are much better suited for the #2 starter role. Best to wait to pay someone who is worth it, then spend it on a guy who you really don’t know about.

The team you see is what you’ve got. Instead of continuing to scream about what WASN’T done, sit back and see what happens. Give the team a month or two before declaring them a total bust and the season a wash.

Funny thing… in 2006, I remember all the bitching that we had Pedro and no one else in the pitching rotation…. yet that team won the NL East.

You’ve made your displeasure known. It’s so noted. Now support your team and get over it.

I only scold because I care.
Love Pat

It Has to be Sheets

Well, like the day before, the Mets have seen their top priority accept an offer from another team rather than head to Citifield.

Joel Pineiro signed a two year, $16 million dollar contract with the Angels (who needed him as much as the Mets did). From what I understand, it was just about the exact same amount the Mets offered him, thus supporting the theory that the Mets may be less than desirable in the eyes of many free agents.

As with Molina, I’m not devistated by the inability to land Pineiro since I very much believe his excellent 2009 was as much a product of St. Louis pitching guru Dave Duncan as anything else, but I do believe he would have made a decent addition. However I don’t think he would have been a stong #2 pitcher.

So what now? I think the Mets have but one move that will prove to be a windfall. It’s a move that is not without risk, but hey… at this point I think it’s time for a leap of faith.

That leap of faith? BEN SHEETS.

No one will debate the fact that when he is healthy, Sheets is one of the best pitchers in major league baseball. Yes, he has a spotty medical history and perhaps the odds of him having at least ONE 15 day DL stint is a matter of when, not if. However, having Sheets and Santana as your 1/2 punch would give the Mets the best top two in the show. It would remove a ton of pressure from Mike Pelfry who really has the stuff to BE a #2, but may not quite have the mental fortitude to actually fill that role. Frankly, the retooled bullpen (which actually looks like it could be a strength this year), the addition of Jason Bay and adding Sheets would make the Mets into quite a formidable team.

For you naysayers… of COURSE there is risk involved. However do the Mets have a lot of other options? Not really. Yeah, Jon Garland, Jarrod Washburn and John Smoltz are still out there and would be cheaper. Yeah, it’s possible that Adam Harang or Bronson Arroyo could be had in a trade. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So what?

The Mets have had disaster after disaster the last three years. It’s time to lunge for that brass ring, ’cause the merry-go-round is getting close to losing its riders. Besides, Sheets WANTS to come to the Mets. He KNOWS that if he can have a great year in New York then next year he could look to sign a four year deal worth a TON of cash.

So, c’mon Fred and Omar. Do the right thing. It’s not safe, but damn… it’s sexy. And sex appeal is just what this team needs.