Yardbarker: John Maine

Mets’ Hot Stove 2009 – Many Holes to Fill

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:56:44 -0500

In recent offseasons, the New York Mets have done a good job of addressing one main need. Last year, they needed a closer and signed Francisco Rodriguez. The year before, the Mets needed an ace and traded for Johan Santana. But this offseason will be much more challenging for general manager Omar Minaya. Even if all of the injured players come back healthy, the 70-92 Mets need to upgrade in numerous areas if they want to compete in 2010.

Throughout the year, there have been numerous rumors about losses to Bernie Madoff inhibiting the Mets’ ability to spend. But the Mets need to do something dramatic after their dismal season was followed by a Yankees World Series victory. As the holiday season gets underway, the Yankees clubhouse stores are packed with shoppers, while Mets merchandise is in far less demand. If the Mets fail to excite their fans during the offseason, ticket sales could suffer, even in a new ballpark.

With Billy Wagner gone and Carlos Delgado unlikely to return, the Mets already have some extra money compared to 2009 (though other players will be getting raises). So look for the Mets to acquire at least one name player. The question is, how big a name?

Here are the main areas that the Mets need to address:

No. 2 starter:

In 2009, the rotation after Johan Santana fell apart. Mike Pelfrey was considered the no. 2 starter, but that turned out to be by default. Pelfrey and Oliver Perez both regressed in 2009, while John Maine missed much of the year with injuries. Going into 2010, there is no assurance that any of these pitchers can be a no. 3 starter, much less a no. 2.

Among free agents, the top choice is John Lackey. But even if the Mets are willing to spend, they may end up going after one or more of the next tier of free agent pitchers. Staten Island native Jason Marquis would like to pitch for the Mets. The Mets are said to be interested in Randy Wolf, trying to make up for the decision last year to sign Oliver Perez instead of Wolf. The Mets have also been linked to Joel Pineiro, who pitched a complete-game shutout against the Mets last June and shut out the Mets down the stretch in 2007.

On the trade market, the Blue Jays are fielding offers for Roy Halladay. The Mets appear unlikely to have the prospects necessary to trade for the Toronto ace, but the same was true two years ago when Santana was available. Once the Red Sox and Yankees dropped out of the bidding, the Mets were able to acquire Santana. Some have speculated that the same thing could happen with Halladay.

Whether the Mets land a no. 2 or another ace such as Halladay, they still need to address the back of the rotation. Tim Redding was signed in 2009 to be the no. 5 starter and he finished the year in the rotation, but the Mets may not bring him back in 2010. Jon Niese is coming off a serious hamstring injury. Even if the Mets land a big-name pitcher, they need to acquire at least one other hurler (two if Maine does not return) who can add depth for inevitable injuries and slumps.

Power-hitting left fielder:

The Mets hit only 95 homers in 2009, far and away the worst number in the majors (The Giants were next-lowest with 122.). Even if Carlos Beltran plays a full season and David Wright regains his power stroke, the Mets still have little power coming from Angel Pagan in left field or Daniel Murphy at first base. With Ike Davis on the horizon at first, the Mets are more likely to seek a power upgrade in left.

The top free agent just happens to be a power-hitting left fielder – Matt Holliday. And another top free agent also fills the bill – onetime Met farmhand Jason Bay .

If the Mets do not land Holliday or Bay, there are not many good alternatives in the free agent pool. Hideki Matsui and Vladimir Guerrero are better off in the American League where they can DH. Jermaine Dye is in decline. Expect Johnny Damon to be linked to the Mets at some point, though it will probably turn out that agent Scott Boras is simply trying to drive up Damon’s price before the Yankees re-sign him.

Catcher:

The Mets let Brian Schneider leave via free agency and he signed with the Phillies. That leaves Omir Santos, who is not really a fulltime player, and Josh Thole, who probably needs some more time in the minors. The Mets signed Chris Coste, who will probably end up in the minors, and are reportedly close to acquiring 38-year-old Henry Blanco as a backup. But they are reportedly interested in a more significant upgrade at catcher. Free agents available include Benjie Molina and Rod Barajas . The Mets would seem to have less of a chance with Yorvit Torrealba after they reportedly upset the catcher by pulling their contract offer in 2007.

Second base:

Once again, the Mets are reportedly trying to trade Luis Castillo to make room for free agent Orlando Hudson. Unlike in 2008, Castillo is coming off a much better season and has one fewer year left on his contract. But with two years still to go, Castillo remains likely to remain with the Mets.

Setup man:

Last year, the Mets made what turned out to be an ill-fated trade for J.J. Putz. Now Putz is a free agent and likely to sign someplace where he will have a chance to close. So the Mets once again need a setup man.

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Pitching Tidbits: Maine & Marquis...

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:20:00 -0500

I really never thought this was in question, in fact; I think the debate should be more over the rotation or set-up man then it should be a roster spot but Joel Sherman reports at his twitter account that the Mets will definitely offer John Maine a contract.Jason Marquis has openly expressed his desire to play for the Mets, I believe that gives him an advantage over a group of guys with similar stuff ( Pineiro, Garland, Wolf). As a type B free agent the Rockies offered him arbitration but Jon...

What To Do About John Maine?

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:56 -0500

This off season John Maine is a potential non-tender candidate and there has been talk that the Mets will non-tender him today, the deadline for offering your players arbitration. The Mets can still sign Maine if they do non-tender him but being non-tendered is sought of like being fired and the club telling you you’re [...]

Non-Tender Candidate: John Maine

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:00:33 -0500

The Mets penciled John Maine into the 2009 rotation despite uncertainty about his health, following bone spur surgery after 2008. Expecting him to return to 2007 form was a stretch but it wasn't unreasonable to think he could provide 140 innings with a ~4.30 FIP. The various preseason projection systems pegged him around this level of performance. Like most of the Mets, Maine's season didn't turn out quite as well as hoped. Will Carroll of Baseball Prospect...

On the Bubble: John Maine

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:50:00 -0500

Ok, this is the last installment of the "On the bubble" for the pitching staff, the rest of the staff is either locks or are inconsequential to next year's staff.A quick recap:The rotational locks are Johan Santana, Oliver Perez ( due to his contract), Mike Pelfrey and I'll address John Maine in this post.The pen: Franscico Rodriguez, Pedro Feliciano, Brian Stokes, Pat Misch, Nelson Figueroa, Bobby Parnell and Sean Green ( trade bait).The idea of non-tendering John Maine jus...

Maine’s Return Not Enough As Mets Drop Game 1

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:12:39 -0500

John Maine made his return to the Mets after a three month absence from the team following the world’s longest rehab stint. Although he was limited to a pitch count of 60 pitches, he took the loss when the bullpen failed to keep the Phillies in the park. The efforts (or lack thereof) of Tobi [...]

Maine To Start Against Phillies; Will He Be A Met In 2010?

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:39:03 -0500

This weekend we reported on how well John Maine performed in his rehab start for Port St. Lucie. He pitched four shutout innings while allowing just two hits, one walk, and striking out six. The news was even better when Maine said that he experienced no pain the next day. “It’s a little tight but it’s just [...]

Maine didn't sound happy with fatigue diagnosis...

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:30:00 -0500

There's been a lot of finger pointing in reference to all the Mets injuries; is it the players trying to play through pain or the opposite not trying hard enough, is there a break down in communication between the Doctors and the Mets training staff or is it just spin from the front office attempting to keep attendance up.Regardless of who's at fault, there seems to be a distinct pattern with multiple players and for at least three years. The pattern is as follows; a player is reporte...

John Maine Solid In St. Lucie

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:01:50 -0500

John Maine took a big step toward his return to the Mets today in his rehab start at Port St. Lucie. Pretty impressive outing even if he was facing Single-A competition. I was actually hoping that the Mets would shut him down, but I guess there’s nothing wrong with letting him air it out and seeing [...]

John Maine shut down, set back...

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:11:00 -0500

Last night it was reported that John Maine is still experiencing pain in his throwing shoulder, which is being attributed to a pinched nerve. Maine was scheduled to make a rehab start today in Brooklyn, but instead will be shut down for at least a week. He received a cortisone shot in the shoulder and the medical staff will monitor how he responds to the treatment and rest. Maine admitted that the earliest he could return would be the All-Star break..."I tried throwing," Maine said ...

John Maine Shut Down With Shoulder Pain

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:16:34 -0500

According to a team press release, Mets right-hander John Maine, who was supposed to continue a minor-league rehabilitation assignment Saturday, instead will not pick up a ball for a week because of recurring discomfort in his shoulder.Maine (5-4 with a 4.52 ERA) called his injury “a little bit of a pinched nerve” and conceded he [...]

2009 Opening Day Roster

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:15:50 -0500

Below is the opening day roster as it stands now. When the fifth starter is needed Livan Hernandez will replace Nick Evans. Pitchers B/T Ht Wt DOB 25 Pedro Feliciano L/L 5-10 190 08/25/76 48 Sean Green R/R 6-6 235 04/20/79 33 John Maine R/R 6-4 200 05/08/81 36 Darren O’Day R/R 6-4 225 10/22/82 39 Bobby Parnell R/R 6-4 200 09/08/84 34 Mike Pelfrey R...

Mets Sign Maine, Avoid Arbitration

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 08:20:37 -0500

The New York Post is reporting that the Mets have reached an agreement with John Maine on a one year deal worth $2.6 million dollars. Maine also can earn $25,000 by pitching 200 innings. Maine had a tough season last year due to a bone spur in his shoulder which ended his season. He has off season surgery and is expected to be ready by Opening day. The Mets need Maine to come back and come back strong. He is expected to be slotted in the 2 or 3 spot in the rotation.

Maine will have surgery Tuesday

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 23:52:43 -0500

John Maine is scheduled to have surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday in New York.

For Pelfrey, it's addition by subtraction

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:09:33 -0500

With Pedro Martinez' durability in question and John Maine's health lingering, the last thing the Mets need is another pitching scare. But, one could be brewing ever so quietly as the season wears on.