Like many teams, the Mets could use another starting pitcher. I like the depth Omar Minaya came in with, but another rehab project or two wouldn’t hurt. You have to respect this approach to building a rotation as opposed to just signing Barry Zito.
David Lennon of Newsday says that Minaya is indeed working the phones, looking for a deal similar to last year’s Orlando Hernandez acquisition. A minor league contract for Brian Lawrence is one option. What other starters might Minaya gamble on?
The Indians are one club with an apparent surplus of starters, once the main guys are healthy at the same time. The price might be too high for Fausto Carmona, though Paul Byrd could be had if salaries can be worked out. Byrd has looked decent in the early going, but he’s earning $7MM. Byrd made 55 relief appearances for the Mets back in 1995-96.
If for nothing else than the confusion angle, MInaya could consider another O. Perez (Odalis of the Royals). The Dodgers are already paying a large chunk of Perez’s $7.75MM salary. A little Rick Peterson tutoring could do him some good.
It wouldn’t be a minor deal, but the White Sox could start offering up Jose Contreras, Jon Garland, and Mark Buehrle in coming months. Greg Couch of the Sun-Times thinks a fire sale is in order.
The Angels could spare a Dustin Moseley, but will probably hang on to Joe Saunders for depth. It seems like the A’s are willing to trade anyone in the right deal. The Brewers go seven-deep with starting pitchers. The Cubs are about ready to cast off Wade Miller. And the Rockies are still stuck with Josh Fogg and Byung-Hyun Kim.
I’m interested to see who Minaya comes up with here; he’s usually pretty clever when bargain-hunting.
