The Mets Missing Piece in the Rotation

Now the Mets have one of the most promising staffs in the National League. Mets fans have dreams that this staff can be the close to the 1980's with Doc, Bobby O and Darling. Or the Braves staff of the 1990's. Both of them one World Series. The Mets in 1986 and the Braves in 1995 and many fell that they should won more then once. They are missing that piece. My man Carlos Montanez being the well informed Mets fan breaks it down on where's its at.

The Mets have a lot of holes to fill this offseason, but what about a veteran arm? If they have the money to spend like they say they do, who would you rather have? A pitcher who goes out every fifth day and is subpar at best like a Barry Zito? Or an impact player, when healthy is very good like a Chris Carpenter or a Johan Santana. I bring this up because the Mets strength going into next season is pitching. What if they can bring back Johan Santana on a minor league deal similar to what Marlon Byrd makes? This can be a low risk, high reward pick up. If the money is there this off season, I don't see why this cannot be an option.

At the end of the 2006 season, Barry Zito signed a seven-year $126M deal. This was the biggest contract given to a pitcher during that time period. In his seven years with the San Francisco Giants, the former Cy Young award winner has posted 62-77 record and an ERA of 4.53 as of August 8^th, 2013. In 21 starts this season, Zito has pitched every fifth game and compiled a 4-8 record with an ERA of 5.21. Was his production deserving of the $126M?

Meanwhile in flushing, there is a pitcher, when healthy impacted the Mets franchise in ways Tom Seaver or Dwight Gooden have felt short of doing. Johan Santana will always be remembered for his heroic efforts on June 1^st, 2012 when he pitched the first no-hitter in Mets history. What about when he almost single handedly carried this team to the postseason in 2008 with a torn meniscus?

In his four years playing for the Mets, six altogether, he has put up good numbers. He led the National League with a 2.53 ERA in 2008, the best in his 12 year playing career. His ERA as a New York Met is 3.18. Yes, he missed a significant amount of time, but when he was on the mound, he has produced. Now that he is recovering from a second torn shoulder capsule, he should be healthy by spring training of next season. Yes, he has to prove that he is able to pitch at a big league level. If he can, why not bring him back on a minor league contract?

The Mets have the depth in the rotation, but lack the veteran presence. He is beloved by the city of New York and has unfinished business because he was brought here to bring a championship back to Queens.  He will not be the main attraction, but mentoring guys like Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Jonathan Niese and Noah Syndergaard can prove vital in there maturity. Santana’s tutelage could make this Mets team one step closer to playing baseball in October.

At age 34, if Santana can get big league hitters out, I don't see why Sandy Alderson can’t sign him to a Marlon Byrd type contract. The worst thing that can happen is if Santana gets re-injured. The Mets have enough pitching for Santana’s health not to be an issue, but the reward is that he can come back and win some ball games in the back end of the rotation. Sandy, worry about the holes in the outfield and infield. The pitching is there.

In 2006, Julio Franco's club house presence shaped up an immature Carlos Beltran. Beltran that year ended up with his best all around season, finishing with 41 homeruns and 116 RBI's. The Mets won 97 games that year and reached the National League Championship Series. Who says the same thing can't happen with Santana? In 2014, Santana's presence could be the key to October for the Mets pitching staff; the question is who will be the Carlos Beltran in their rotation?