Both Locals Looking at Gil Meche
By Mike Silva ~ December 4th, 2009. Filed under: Rumor Mill.
As tweeted by NYBD contributor Joe Demayo the Mets, and to a lesser extent, the Yankees are showing interest in Kansas City RHP Gil Meche who is reportedly on the block.
Last season Meche was 6-10 with a 5.09 ERA in an injury plagued campaign. During his career there has been thought that he would benefit from a move to the National League. We already have heard the Royal have interest in Angel Pagan so perhaps there is a match there. Again, we are not reporting a Pagan for Meche trade, just speculating based information regarding the Mets interest. From a Yankees perspective you would have to think the equivalent of Pagan would be Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner. I doubt Kansas City is looking to trade salary for salary since it would defeat the purpose of moving Meche in the first place.
If you’re acquiring the Gil Meche from 2007-2008 than he could be a valuable pitcher that will give you double digits in wins and 200 plus innings. The problem is that period has been the exception, not the rule, and his career is littered with more 2009 type seasons. The sharp drop in strikeout rate (over one per nine innings) would scare me as well. If the Royals were willing to take on salary than perhaps I would consider a bad money for bad money deal, but that is not the case.
Meche is owed $12 million dollars over the final two years of his contract. It is also thought, according to Demayo, that both New York teams are on his no trade list. That doesn’t exactly tell me he is yearning for the spotlight of the big city. The injury history, cost of young talent, and the contract make me think both teams should pass on this one.
December 4th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Pagan for Meche would be a good deal as long as Omar still gets a more reliable #2 starter and then would need an everyday left-fielder and a utility outfielder. I am fine with Cory Sullivan as a 5th outfielder, but not as a #4. I can part with Pagan due to his injuries, and fielding and base-running blunders.
December 5th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Please tell me why a pitcher with a 6-10 and 5+ era should interest the Mets? Let alone the 12M still due.
We can get the same or better from Nieve, Niese and even Figueroa. You guys need to get a clue. The idea is to GET BETTER, not duplicate what you already have.
December 5th, 2009 at 11:41 am
J Gomez
The Mets are trying to bring in pitchers that can give them innings and consistency. The Gil Meche of 2007 – 2008 can do that, but it appears that is the exception, not the rule, for his career. Can’t stay healthy.