Omar Set On Pitching

Ken Davidoff at Newsday writes about Omar Minaya and what he's up to in Orlando:

The bulk of Minaya's efforts, he indicated, will be focused on upgrading the Mets' pitching staff. The Mets have spoken numerous times with the Athletics about Joe Blanton and with the White Sox about Jose Contreras and Jon Garland, and those pitchers can be had once again. The Mets also will speak to the representatives of free-agent righthander Carlos Silva this week at the meetings.

Mets Should Push For Garland

As Ed pointed out the day, the White Sox are getting ready to get going with an almost Fire Sale off season to bring in the young talent they so desperately need. If the Mets are going to be biting on the bait, then there are only a few pitchers I could see them going after.

One of those players would have to be right handed pitcher Jon Garland.

Garland is only 28 and has a reasonably middle of the rotation EAR (4.23 in 2007 and a 4.41 lifetime). Garland does, however has 36 wins for the 2005 and 2006 seasons, which is tied for the most wins in that time. Having an off year might bring his trade value down and might make the White Sox susceptible to asking for only one prospect in return.

Garland On The Market

From Ed Ryan at Mets Fever (Network Member):

Scott Merkin of MLB.com discusses the White Sox's rotation for 2008 in his mailbag column for the White Sox. Apparently the Sox's have several young pitchers that maybe ready to break into the rotation. To accommodate the youngsters the club will have to move a veteran pitcher. Jose Contreras and Jon Garland are the two pitchers mentioned in the column. I'm not interested in Contreras after the year he had and his age but Garland sounds intriguing to me. the 28 y/o righty is considered the staff ace, he has seven years experience all with the Sox in which he has compiled a record of 92 and 81 with an ERA OF 4.41.

With the White Sox wanting to make some pitching decisions before moving on to Tucson for Spring Training, I would list the final spot battle between Danks and Gavin Floyd since they are known commodities. I still think Gonzalez might put up a spring challenge, though. If I had to pick right now, on Oct. 8, I would give the nod to Danks.

Garland and Contreras won't both be moved in the next few months. But obviously, even one departure opens up another spot for a young hurler.