By Geoff Walter / SNY.tv

 

 

In 2006 the Mets used 14 starting pitchers. Let that sink in for a second. Omar Minaya recently revealed that Pedro Martinez won't pitch until September/October 2007 and Pedro himself is considering retirement. (I'll give you a minute.) Steve Trachsel, Chad Bradford, Roberto Hernandez, Guillermo Mota, and Yusaku Iriki all filed for free agency. Need a paper bag? Breathe, breathe. Thankfully Tom Glavine may be close to inking a new deal. Here's your chance to see my take on what the Mets should do to their 2007 rotation and respond with some of your own.

The Mets need reliability and consistency in their rotation and the steady left hand that Glavine provides. He can also serve as the veteran example on a young pitching staff. Any new contract will probably be a one- or two-year deal though.

Can you say "consistent"? And after Maine took over El Duque’s spot when Hernandez had that tear in his right calf, he was very solid. Maine’s young and still has room to grow, as he only lasts between five and six innings in a typical outing. Sandwich him between Glavine and Barry Zito and you won’t wear out the bullpen.

Zito's coming to New York. It's just a question of which uniform he'll be wearing. The Yanks and the Mets are going to go after Zito and Matsuzaka hard, and whoever doesn't get one will get the other. Zito will be a Met in my book. Even though he’s never been the same since his 2002 Cy Young award, and not a lights-out ace, he's the best there is in a thin free agent market. He does have endurance, and can last seven-plus and he's not yet 30.

The Yankees will take Matsuzaka if they don't get Zito to sign a deal. Or it could go the opposite way with the Mets landing Matsuzaka and Zito in pinstripes. No way will one team land both. The Japanese righty was 17-5 with a 2.13 ERA and 200 Ks this year, but that was in Japan against Japanese hitters. Best let the Yankees take this round and the risk.

Perez had a solid Game 7, but that 6.55 ERA sticks out like a sore thumb. But he's a lefty, which is something the Mets need at this point. The problem is that he has such a huge upside that has only shown through periodically. He'll have to prove himself to pitching coach Rick Peterson in order to earn a spot in the rotation, but it's doable.

Bannister has played three games all year, with a 2-1 record and a 4.26 ERA. He also has the lowest ERA of all of the potential starters on the Mets roster which also includes Mike Pelfrey, Phil Humber, Oliver Perez, and Aaron Heilman. But because he's young, I'd place him in a back-end role until he gets more games under his belt.

Re-sign Glavine as both a veteran anchor and to set an example for the kids that are coming up. Traschel can be bought back, but if he isn’t, go after Zito or Matsuzaka. Zito's the better bet though. Maine is reliable and consistent but you’d probably want to start him later in the rotation so as not to wear out the bullpen. I think Bannister has the stuff to be in the rotation, but Perez has to prove himself. You could always alternate the fifth slot between him and Heilman.