Now that Derek Lowe is no longer an option for the Mets starting rotation, where do you think they should turn? They have started to negotiate with Oliver Perez, but they don't seem thrilled with him being such an inconsistent pitcher (and a Boras client, no less). There's talk of them possibly going after Ben Sheets now, but that would be a huge risk considering his injury history. Minaya did a GREAT job turning the bullpen into a strength after it was such a weakness last year, but they haven't come close to adding any bats. You would figure after they choked in September for a second consecutive year, they would try to add a little to the lineup, right? There's not much left out there, is Minaya really just going to sign one more starter and call it an offseason?
Sign Ben Sheets. He's younger, has more upside, and wouldn't cost any more draft picks than the 35 year old NL West hero Lowe would have.
I'm still not entirely sold on Ben Sheets, but I think at this point it would be a better move than Perez. He may be a boom or bust, but I think that is pretty much what this entire season will be for the Mets anyways. His price tag has apparently come way down, so that should help them out, although they still aren't entirely sold on him. Signing Sheets would also mean Johnathon Niese will get a chance to fill in for him when Sheets goes on the DL. I'd also like to see them go after Garrett Anderson. He's a proffesional hitter, and he's not going to be resigned by the Angels. Fernando Tatis did great last year when he was brought in, but that doesn't mean you should hand him the job and not have any reinforcements. I'd rather see him on the bench backing up both corner infield and outfield spots. Between Ryan Church's concussion problems (not to mention potentially being a trade piece) and Daniel Murphy not having a ton of experience, I think Anderson would get his fair share of time. If Tatis comes back to earth, they will need someone else to step up. There is no way they can sustain getting nothing from Castillo, Schneider, and Tatis (or whoever is out in Left Field).