The Mets need a top of the rotation starter, a solid #2 to slide in behind Johan Santana. Whether they'll admit it or not, the rotation behind Santana even when it was healthy had too many variables to be considered a pitcher oriented club.Many want the Mets to sign John Lackey regardless of the cost, the 31 y/o free agent is the top pitcher on the market this season. The right hander is a one time All-Star and World Champion with a lifetime ERA of 3.82 and a record of 100-70. The last two seasons he has not made 33 starts ( 24/27) and his ERA has steadily increased ( 3.75/3.83). Some believe Lackey is nothing more then a glorified #2 starter or at best a small market ace, who will get ace money off a good playoff run and a weak starters market. Aaron Gleeman takes a look at Lackey using xFIP which makes him a mid-level #1 starter. As you can see Lackey has posted fairly consistent xFIPs over the past five years, with marks ranging from 3.75 to 4.33. Listed next to his yearly xF...
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