With Derek Lowe becoming the newest enemy, the Mets are forced to look down the list of free agent pitchers to fill the hole in their rotation.
Oliver Perez and Ben Sheets both appear on that list. We've heard a few rumors lately about Perez, but really nothing has been brought up about Sheets.
Ben Shpigel stops all that, with this: "They are also weighing a run at Ben Sheets, but are wary of his injury history."
Finally.
Sheets, when healthy, is an excellent pitcher. Too bad that is a very big "if."
Also in the article, Shpigel points out that the Mets have been unwilling to offer four years to a starting pitcher this season, and only granted one to Francisco Rodriguez in the form of a vesting option.
If the Mets were to sign anyone for four years, I'd prefer it to be Perez, simply due to his age (27). Sheets is too risky to sign for that long, but a one- or two-year deal would be fine with me. Laden it with incentives that he can earn if healthy to keep him pitching and motivated and you'd pretty much have a steal if he can start 25 games.
