Garcia Visits Mets Camp

Jon Heyman at SI.com writes about Freddy Garcia and him being spotted at Mets Spring Training Camp:

The Mets haven't said anything about possible progress in contract talks, but they have long been interested in Garcia, who was spotted at their camp in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

The Mets were pleased by Pedro Martinez's speedy recovery after shoulder surgery and are hopeful they can duplicate that success if they sign Garcia. The 31-year-old Garcia had shoulder surgery last August, cutting short his season in Philadelphia, where he went only 1-5 with a 5.90 ERA in 11 starts. Garcia, a two-time All-Star, is hoping to be available to pitch by June or July.

Thanks to Mets Blog for the link.

Possible Moves for Omar

From Network Member:Tyler Florence at Mets 4 Lfe:


We have reached the slowest part of the off-season and well, there is simply nothing to write about unless the signing of Matt Clement and Josh Towers.. but that has no effect on the Mets... but I've been thinking, what smart moves could Omar make? Well, here is a few suggestions from me...

Trade for Johan Santana...

I love our prospects but we need to get an edge. I would perfer that Omar waits until he becomes a free-agent next off-season but if we can pull a trade off that doesn't include Fernando Martinez, then I'm fine with it. Although most fans would haunt Omar Minaya for years if one of those prospects backfired in our faces, just like Scott Kazmir.


Sign Freddy Garcia to an incentive-laden contract with an option for 09'...

Freddy Garcia won't be ready until near the All-Star break but we need options. Gracia seems interested and there just simply aren't any better options. Unless you count Bartolo Colon, but he isn't even touching 90 MPH in the winter leagues. If Garcia would come back to form, the fans would love Omar Minaya again.



Sign Octavio Dotel to a 1-year contract with a vesting option for 09'...

Dotel is a very good reliable reliever out of the pen, when he is healthy. The thing is, he can't stay healthy.. but when he is, he can be a Duaner Sanchez type of pitcher. We need depth in our bullpen and that is what we lacked last season. Adding Octavio to the mix would definitely help solve that problem.



Sign Kevin Mench to a 1-year deal...

The recently acquired RF Ryan Church, is a very light hitting outfielder against left-handed pitchers.. so we need a platoon partner that can absolutely mash left-handers. Kevin Mench is our man. Last season, in 156 at-bats against Left-handers, Mench hit .314 with 8 homers and 26 RBI's. Combine that with Ryan Church vs right-handers, and we have a two headed monster in RF for 2008.

Sign Jason Jennings to a 1-2 year deal...

I know most of you are totally against him but in 2006 he was very good for the Rockies... and in the first half of 2007 he was decent with a 1-4 record and 4.07 ERA in 10 games started. The reason his record is so bad is because the Houston Astros offense was anemic all of last season... but he did blow up in the second half of the season, but thats the risk that your going to have to take.


I think all of these moves would be smart, but some would be risky. Either way I still believe that Mike Pelfrey should start for a full season in Flushing. If one of these starters were to be signed, we would just simply put Orlando Hernandez in the bullpen and keep Pelfrey as our #5. In my opinion, Kevin Mench would be a very smart signing for the Mets, and we should wait for Santana to be a free-agent at the end of the season... but if Omar pulls the trigger, I'll be fine with that too, just as long as we still have Fernando Martinez.

Mets In Front For Garcia

At Rotoworld they write about the Mets and them being in the lead to get recovering Freddy Garcia:

The Rangers have reportedly dropped out of the bidding for Freddy Garcia after getting a look at his medical records.

Texas is still considering Jason Jennings and Bartolo Colon. The Mets appear to be the favorites for Garcia, though he's still considering waiting until he finishes rehabbing his shoulder and then signing with a team during the season. He hopes to be ready in May or June.