Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest » Blog Archive » Positive Spin on Rotation

Positive Spin on Rotation


By Mike Silva ~ January 28th, 2010. Filed under: New York Mets.

It’s easy to be worried about the Mets rotation with Santana, Maine, and Perez coming off injuries, while Mike Pelfrey showed some regression last season. What many forget is that this foursome was the same group that led the team in 2008, and was in first place by 3.5 games with two weeks left in the season. 

Check out the ERA+ for each of the starters:

 Santana: 166

Pelfrey: 113

Maine: 101

Perez: 100

When you add in Pedro Martinez’s 75, this wasn’t exactly the best rotation in Mets history. All together you get about a league average staff. Sure, Santana made up for it by not losing a game the entire second half, but one pitcher alone doesn’t make a rotation. The Mets were eventually undone by their porous bullpen, not rotation in 2008.

Why can’t the same group do equally as good, if not better, in 2010? Perhaps Pelfrey could finally put it all together for a full season, Maine could return to his 2007 form (ERA+ of 110), and we know that Perez is capable of extended quality pitching.

 Even if all perform the same, I would have to think a fifth starter, even an internal candidate, can put up a better campaign than the injury plagued Pedro Martinez did in 2008. Also, if there is one thing Omar Minaya has done this off season, it’s bring in some inexpensive bullpen arms with upside. I don’t anticipate the bullpen being as porous as 2008.

It appears the Mets will not be able to acquire a pitcher. Reports indicate that John Smoltz may sit out till midseason, and I heard Jarrod Washburn isn’t particularly high on New York. I believe the Mets need one, maybe two, veteran arms to solidify the rotation. That appears to not be an option right now. Going with the status quo might not be what you were hoping for, but its reality, and might not be as bad as everyone thinks.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com
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3 Responses to Positive Spin on Rotation

  1. Mark P
    January 28th, 2010 at 8:05 am

    The Mets should swallow their pride and give Pedro Martinez a small contract with incentives. He’s good for the team, will give you innings and wouldn’t be as hard to swallow as a $5 hot dog.

  2. Cleon Jones
    January 28th, 2010 at 9:46 am

    I’m sure people will pounce on this statement but I think the Mets played it smart this offseason and didn’t overpay for mediocrities like Piniero, Marquis and Garland. I think management is counting heavily on everyone staying reasonably healthy and performing at their career norms — that’s not such a wildly unrealistic assumption to make. I think this team will perform alot better than the gloom and doomers are predicting.

  3. R U Kidding
    January 28th, 2010 at 10:20 am

    Pitching isn’t the problem. The bullpen will be very good. And the sky isn’t falling with the rotation! santana is gold,an ace. Maine is helthy for the first time in two years,it was in the papers. Pelfrey is ready to blossom. Perez is both healthy and in shape. These guys were very good in 08. #5 starter? Niese,Nieve,maybe Figgy,remember how good he was in September? Him and Murph carried the club.

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