We already know 3/5 of the rotation is coming back. Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey and John Maine will be leading the rotation. Oliver Perez and Pedro Martinez are free agents, and there is a possibility one or both will come back in 2009.
Is this really the right play for the Mets?
The starting pitching was good last year. Santana had a Cy Young-caliber season, Pelfrey had a breakout season, finally pitching like we all knew he could and Maine was good, but lost most of his season to his shoulder injury.
Should the Mets forget about Perez and Pedro and look elsewhere? I'd like to see Derek Lowe on the Mets. He's not the youngest guy, but he knows how to play baseball and is a fighter (something this team needs). I'd LOVE to see A.J. Burnett or CC Sabathia, but I can't see that happening.
The Mets need to look to back-end starters, ones who know they're not the ace of the staff and don't wish to be paid like one. Jon Garland is another name I'd like to see the Mets sniff around a bit more.
I hope the Mets shy away from making this team look like last years and shift to a new, different approach with a handful of new players.
