Mets Need to Stand Pat

by user 65.217.153.100

With Victor Zambrano's season-inning injury, the main stream media will respond in two distinct ways.

1) Starting today, and everytime the Mets throw a pitcher the calibar of a Jose Lima, John Maine and Jeremi Gonzalez, there will be an article saying the Mets need to trade for Barry Zito or Dontrelle Willis, even if they have to give up Lastings Milledge.

2) As the season progresses, if the Mets don't address their starting pitching, there will be artciles clammoring for the Mets to call up Mike Pelfrey.

The Mets would be wise to do neither. First of all, right now every team is going to try to rip off the Mets hoping the Mets will make a panic move. It should be obvious that the price for pitching will be cheaper in the summer than it is now. Likewise, the Mets don't need to get another frontline starter. If they make a move, they need more of a dependable 3/4 starter than they do a frontline guy. Obviously, if they can get a frontline guy without giving up Milledge they might consider it. Milledge, along with Reyes, Wright, Pelfrey and Humber, are the future of this team. Dealing anyone of them could prove a very costly mistake.

That brings us to Pelfrey. The guy is ripping up the minors right now. However, he is the future, not the present. He is still learning to pitch and can really benefit from a year in AA. Let his late season call up be to AAA, not the bigs, and pencil him in for a spot in the rotation next year.

The Mets have intriguing depth at other positions that can be used to bring in a pitcher. At trade of John Maine and Victor Diaz should bring back some pretty good value.

Date
Mon 05/08/06, 9:09 am EST