Mets Shouldn't Go After Contreras

The Mets appear to be active so far in the trade rumors and one of the names circulating around is Jose Contreras.

Now although Contreras is “New York” tested, I just don’t think the Mets need another aging arm. Contreras’s only full season in New York, with the Yankees, was in 2003 and he posted 7-2 record to go along with a 3.30 earned run average. That’s the best year he’s had in the Majors, while for the majority of his pitching career he’s hovered around the 4.50 mark.

A lot can be said that he’s pitched, primarily, in the American League, but he’s still 36. That’s a little too old for a pitching staff that’s going to get older when Pedro Martinez comes off the Disabled List.

By no means am I saying that Jose Contreras isn’t a quality pitcher. I’m just saying that the Mets don’t need another veteran pitcher, especially with Pedro right around the corner.

If the Mets are going to go after a pitcher, they should make it for a guy like Mark Buehrle. That is if they could sign him to an extension.

What the Mets give up for any one of these two pitchers could make Omar look like a genius; I just don’t want to give too much for someone like Contreras who is in the twilight of his career.