Omar Minaya said yesterday: "We don't feel like we have to do a deal for a pitcher. That being said, we are going to try to improve ourselves." Hopefully Omar is bluffing. If he is not, he is making a very dangerous mistake.
In 2006 the Mets lacked an Ace and did not trade for Barry Zito at the trade deadline. The Mets paid dearly for that in the NLCS where they had to start a 3-13 pitcher start in Games 5 and 7. Last year, Omar went to spring training with Tom Glavine, Orlando Hernandez, John Maine, Oliver Perez, and Mike Pelfrey. I supported this decision. I was wrong since I did not anticipate Pelfrey's ineffectiveness, Pedro's longer recovery, and the tax on the bullpen. Replace that 5th slot in 2007 with an Ace and the Phillies finish 3 games back, not 1 game up in 2007.
Now Omar is willing to go to spring training with a rotation of Pedro Martinez, Orlando Hernandez, John Maine, Oliver Perez and more rookies. Did he not get the memo? If not, memo to Omar: The Mets NEED STARTING PITCHING!
Not having an Ace overworks your bullpen. Not having an Ace prevents having the stopper when there is a losing streak or slump. Not having an Ace in a game 1 of a Phillies or Atlanta series makes the team depend on the bullpen more. Not having an Ace looming over your opponent for a Game 7 makes you less intimidating.
Priority number 1 should be an Ace. Omar's staff should be working overtime on this issue and present him with new ideas each day. The scouts should be traveling to games in Peru and India if necessary. More important than anything else, I would even delay the new stadium to pay for an Ace.
The Mets need Johan Santana. I would give up Philip Humber, Mike Pelfrey, Carlos Gomez, and a second tier prospect for him. Obviously the Mets wont get him since the Yankees and Red Sox are offering more. But Baltimore ace Erik Bedard or Oakland pitchers Dan Haren and Joe Blanton might be available. Even if you have to trade more than you want to, you need an innings eater, stopper, under 30 Ace on your staff in 2008 to be competitive in the NL East and the playoffs. In reality the Mets need two, but fans will settle for one.
In other news, Omar denied a report that said he's been unsuccessfully trying to get a contract extension. Maybe the Wilpons got the memo that the Mets need starting pitching. Second memo to Omar: New York is impatient and only loyal to one thing: winning. Just ask Joe Torre about that.
Steve got the memo and will send in his resume to the Wilpons if Omar fails to deliver this winter on an Ace.
Posted by a frustrated Steve in New York