Mets Pitching Staff
 

As it is now, if the mets make the playoffs, their rotation would look something like
1 Pedro
2 Glavine
3 Trachsel
4 Duque
5 Pedro in a 5 game series

On the plus side, our playoff rotation is better than our regular rotation because we've been throwing so many scrubs, but even if all those guys stay healthy, i'm still not excited about the prospect of trachsel or el duque pitching for us in october.

So does anyone know who'se going to be available around the trading deadline? i've heard Zito, but they would want Lastings for him, and that wouldn't be the best scenario for the mets. so who else is gonna be out there and who could the mets trade for them?

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

Ervin Santana

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

I would imagine that John Smoltz will be the best available option with Livan Hernandez second. After that, it'll be second and third tier guys that are really no better than El Duque or really expensive guys like Dontrelle Willis. It might not be a bad idea to pick another of those guys up for insurance (ie. make sure you have three healthy) as long as they are cheap.

The problem with the A's trading Zito is they would need immidiate help in return. They are going to be right in the thick of the playoff hunt, so they can't let Zito go strictly for prospects. The Giants are in the same situation with Schmidt.

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Willis is always floated out there, but I think Florida's determined to hold to him.

Tim Hudson, if the Braves tank?

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

Angels will take Beltran for Santana.

Serious - I have heard Santana is available, but I doubt Angels GM makes a deal unless it is a very very good one. I don't think he would do Santana for Milledge straight up. If I was GM I wouldn't.

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

I have the same concerns about this staff. It amazes me that the Mets' pitching staff seems the best in the league, according to the stats. In a short series, I have very little confidence in these guys.

On the other hand, I really get the feeling that there isn't anyone available - at a reasonable price - who is much better this year.

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

willis would be amazing to have, but that seems far too good to be even remotely possible. i can't imagine the marlins trading him for almost any package of prospects. plus they arleady got all our good prospects for Delgado.

Tim Hudson? I like him, but why would the braves trade him to the Mets? i don't see that at all

Ervin Santana: 9-3, 4.13 ERA, pitching 6.1 innings a game, and he's only 23. i'd be psyched about that. but again why? he's young and pretty good so i don't see the angels parting with him.

i know it's a lot to ask, but a #3 starter is what the mets really need. the bullpen is solid, i think one more starter and we could be a threat in the playoffs.

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I think the Mets would be insane to send Pelfrey back down to the minors with the problems they have in the middle of their rotation (to say nothing of the back). I could easily be wrong about this, but I think he's considerably better than Trachsel right now, and would make a fine #3 starter.

Also, is anyone else excited about Henry Owens? He's a 27 year old rookie relief pitcher, but he looks incredible. In 25 innings at AA, he had a 1.08 ERA, 8 BBs, and 51 strikeouts. His first three big league innings have been hitless too, for what it's worth.

With Pelfrey and Owens, as well as Bannister returning from injury soon and El Duque looking like a perfectly acceptable 4th/5th starter, I think the Mets can get by without trading for pitching help. Doesn't mean they won't or even shouldn't, but it's not a necessity.

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

[ QUOTE ]
is anyone else excited about Henry Owens? He's a 27 year old rookie relief pitcher, but he looks incredible. In 25 innings at AA, he had a 1.08 ERA, 8 BBs, and 51 strikeouts.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm intrigued by him, but don't know what to think. His late rookie age can be explained by the fact that he was originally a catcher.

I missed him pitch, so only the highlights. All I say from the highlights was a strong fast ball. What are his other pitches? Can he throw a breaking pitch for a strike consistently?

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[ QUOTE ]
Can he throw a breaking pitch for a strike consistently?

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Having seen only the 3 MLB innings, I can't say for sure. Still, his superb K/BB ratio in the minors would suggest that he throws strikes.

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Why would they want someone like Lasting for Zito? God you have to do better than that.

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

[ QUOTE ]
Why would they want someone like Lasting for Zito? God you have to do better than that.

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You mean why would the A's want to make that trade? Because Zito is a free agent after this year. They'd be trading 3 months of Zito for 6 years of Milledge.

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so.... no faith in jose lima?

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

[ QUOTE ]
Why would they want someone like Lasting for Zito? God you have to do better than that.

[/ QUOTE ]

...

If I was Billy Beane, I would do this in a heartbeat.

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

Heilman should be in the rotation.

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[ QUOTE ]
so.... no faith in jose lima?

[/ QUOTE ]

you're right. i forgot about lima time. mods, please delete this thread, it is now irrelevant.

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[ QUOTE ]
Heilman should be in the rotation.

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i second that. if we could trade for a bull penner instead and bump him up i'd support that

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How about something along the lines of Ervin Santana for Milledge. It is close for both teams, I'd bet.

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I strongly doubt the Angels would do that.

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If the Angels did that I would SCKM.

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[ QUOTE ]
Angels will take Beltran for Santana.

Serious - I have heard Santana is available, but I doubt Angels GM makes a deal unless it is a very very good one. I don't think he would do Santana for Milledge straight up. If I was GM I wouldn't.

[/ QUOTE ]

This just in ...

Jim Duquette ain't GM any more.

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

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I strongly doubt the Angels would do that.

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i don't know much about santana, but milledge is a 5 tool guy and one of the best prospects in the game. He came up for two or three weeks and hit some homers, played good D and even threw some guys out at on the bases. is ervin santana really worth MORE than a top level prospect?

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Yes, because Ervin Santana is on a team that is involved in a playoff race. In fact, I'd say Santana is MORE valuble to the Angels than he is to the Mets.

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I dont think Ervin Santana is actually as good as hes performed for the first half, and if he is, im pretty sure this is his ceiling. I usally have no problem dealing prospects for Current players, but i would want a better pitcher then Santana or Zito for Milledge who is as close to the majors as a top prospect can be.

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

I for one think Santana is better than his first half numbers. I think a mid 3ish era is possible for him, which is a very decent mark for the AL.

He is barely completing his first full season (came up last year a little before the all star break), and has had his ups and downs. I really believe he will continue to improve.

No doubt Milledge is a fantastic prospect, and the Angels could really use help in the outfield, but I would prefer Santana.

I also agree with the poster who said Santana is prob worth more to the Angels than he is to the Mets...Angels have less run support and can't really afford to ship off decent starters.

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Missing from this discussion is any consideration about who might be available during the off-season.

Anyone know who's a free-agent after this year? As far as I'm concerned, it's acceptable to delay a debatable trade if a stud might be obtained for next year. I do not consider the Mets to be in a "win now" situation.

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[ QUOTE ]
Missing from this discussion is any consideration about who might be available during the off-season.

Anyone know who's a free-agent after this year? As far as I'm concerned, it's acceptable to delay a debatable trade if a stud might be obtained for next year. I do not consider the Mets to be in a "win now" situation.

[/ QUOTE ]

Zito and Schmidt are the two frontliners.

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

The Mets are kind of in a win now situation. They will have a lot of holes in the next few years...

Floyd
Glavine
Trachsel
Lo Duca
2b hole

The mets dont really have anyone lined up for these roles, so i think they have a much smaller window then most think they do, unless of course they act like the late 90s Yanks and sign a ton of FA to fill in the holes next to the young studs. Which is most likely what will happen.

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

[ QUOTE ]
The Mets are kind of in a win now situation. They will have a lot of holes in the next few years...

Floyd
Glavine
Trachsel
Lo Duca
2b hole

The mets dont really have anyone lined up for these roles, so i think they have a much smaller window then most think they do, unless of course they act like the late 90s Yanks and sign a ton of FA to fill in the holes next to the young studs. Which is most likely what will happen.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well seeing as how all those you mentioned are acquisitions, that seems rather obvious...

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

I disagree that the Mets need to win now. Of course, they will have to make some changes in the next year or two, but that could be said for virtually every team. And it's not like they have to make those changes all at once, next year. They'll have a couple of years to fill the holes gradually.

The key, of course, is the pitching. If they can develop, or bring in, 1-2 solid starters, this team should contend for a while, especially in that lousy division.

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Oh no, they are going to lose Trachsel and Lo Duca!

DEAR GOD

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

Assuming that they open up the wallet a bit once their prospects get to the bigs, the Marlins won't be lousy for long. Same for the Braves, who I assume will be back to competing within 2-3 years, maybe sooner -- what has their front office done over the past 15 years to inspire anything but confidence? And, hell, the Phillies and maybe even the Nats should have enough cash to make some acquisitions if the need arises. In other words, this division will get better, and soon.

That said, the Mets should also be good for a while. However, the NL is historically weak this year, and the Mets would be wise to maximize their already excellent chance of getting to the World Series. If they could give up a package of second-tier prospects for someone like Zito, I wouldn't be aghast, especially since they certainly have the money to sign him to an extension.

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

[ QUOTE ]
Assuming that they open up the wallet a bit once their prospects get to the bigs, the Marlins won't be lousy for long.

[/ QUOTE ]

...

Open up the pocketbooks... the Marlins...

Um...

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Short memory?

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Maybe Pelfry will be the answer.

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[ QUOTE ]
Short memory?

[/ QUOTE ]

I was going to ask you the same thing, actually.

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The Marlins opened their pocket books and signed free agents leading up to both of their World Series titles. They were even acquiring expensive talent to make another run as recently as 2004. I see no reason to suspect they won't do the same when their loaded farm system matures.

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The Marlins opened their pocket books and signed free agents leading up to both of their World Series titles. They were even acquiring expensive talent to make another run as recently as 2004. I see no reason to suspect they won't do the same when their loaded farm system matures.

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And then dumped them (highly paid backloaded contracts of free agents) immediately.

Asking the Marlins to sign prospects to long-term lucrative deals is absurd.

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

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And then dumped them (highly paid backloaded contracts of free agents) immediately.

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When it became obvious that the team they had assembled was very unlikely to win a championship and that attendance wasn't going up as much as they had hoped, yes.

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Asking the Marlins to sign prospects to long-term lucrative deals is absurd.

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Who said anything about signing prospects to long-term deals? I'm just saying that their farm system is loaded, and in two or three years they're going to have a nice core of good, young, cheap players on their team. At that point, I would expect them to sign some expensive free agents to push them over the top.

Re: Mets Pitching Staff
 

Oh, to sign free agents to supplement the prospects. I see. I thought you meant signing the prospects to long-term deals or something.