Starting Pitching 2006

[Guest Edgy DC]

The Mets starting pitching looks deep and all, but you know you're going to hear about transactions. Shed two and add one and such.

Current rotation:

Benson
Glavine
Martinez
Seo
Trachsel

Relievers ready to start:

Heilman
Ishii
Zambrano

Men on the verge:

Bannister
Keppel
Petit
Soler

Wait. Have they disposed of Ishiii yet?

Anyhow, Javier Vazquez, late last night, demanded a trade to an eastern time zone team, so we're bound to here speculation about him soon.

[Diamond Dad]

I'll be happy to have Heilman in the pen to start the season. Can always use him as starter if you get squeezed.

No way we can dump Glavine, so we're stuck with him:

Glavine
Martinez
Benson

After that -- I'd be happy with Petit coming in as super rookie and any one of the other 4 as starters. Tracks is most consistent. Seo may have best upside. Trade the rest!

[Guest Rotblatt]

Way to be impartial and alphabetize!

I'm against trading for starting pitching in the current climate. I think it'd be too expensive in prospects. However, I'm all for trading a few our of guys at exorbinant prices, then signing a free agent pitcher.

We've got money, so I don't mind overpaying in dollar for free agents. Overpaying in years, I mind, but I don't think a five-year deal to Burnett (taking him through age 33) or a four-year to Millwood (through 34) would be so bad.

[Theoldmole]

Still would like to see Heilman get a shot as closer.

[Valadius]

Here's my prediction:

Somebody gets traded.

Here's who I see as an absolute LOCK to be a Met at the start of the season:

Pedro Martinez
Tom Glavine
Aaron Heilman

That's it. I really REALLY doubt Heilman gets traded. Zambrano is probably out, and Ishii if someone will take him. Omar might look to deal Seo now, but GODDAMMIT OMAR, don't do it!

[nymr83]

]Benson

what makes him a lock? he's no better than Traschel.

[Guest Rotblatt]

Honestly, I think our only locks are Petey & Glavine.

I really, really think we should keep Heilman & Seo, although I suppose if the right trade came along, I'd consider it.

We probably won't pick up Ishii's option, and I wouldn't be surprised to see us trade one or two of Trachsel, Benson & Zambrano.

[seawolf17]

Pedro's a lock... nobody else is. I'd figure that f anything, Benson's more likely to be here -- he just finished the first year of a long-term deal -- than Glavine, who is done after this year. I could see Glavine going to some team to help offset a bigger contract coming this way.

[Guest heep]

I also think Tommy and Pedro are the only locks.

I see the Mets inquiring about Zito, Burnett and Vazquez.

My prediction, with the surplus of pitching we have is that 2 or more will be moved by the spring. Doesn't Billy Beane like Cameron? Why not trade Cameron and Seo to Oakland for Zito?

I'm inclined to think that Omar is not satisfied with the quality of our rotation, and trading quantity for quality, if possible is a smart move.

A rotation of Tommy, Pedro, Benson, Zito/Burnett and a wild card rookie fifth like Bannister is more appealing to me.

I do not enjoy hearing rumors that Heilman is on the block. I think he will develop into a very intelligent and effective starter or set-up man.

It is to difficult to predict what is going to happen this off-season - everything outside of the closer quest is contingent upon other deals and positions being fulfilled.

I am excited at the thought of Wagner closing games for us. The Mets hopefully have proffered their contract terms to Wagner before I submit this, and I must say I am very anxious to see what they are.

[nymr83]

with all the depth we have theres no reason to slot a guy like Banister in even after a trade...
i wouldn't want to trade Seo but if we have to i guess its worth it getting Zito...maybe they would take Bannister and Cameron?

if i had to rank our "tradeable" (young, cheap, and at least potentially good) players from best to worst (best being i dont want to lose them, worst being i dont care) i'd go:

Milledge, Diaz, Seo, Petit, Heilman, Bannister, Zambrano

Diaz, although i ranked him high, can go easily if we get an outfielder back. i'd hate to deal Milledge for any of the names i've heard so far (although you just can't turn down manny i think.)

in trading the pitchers i could care less about zambrano and bannister, if you can get something good for them do it. i'd marginally rather deal Petit than Seo because i think Seo is going to be a better option for right now and i have a certain innate distrust of pitching prospects. i'd deal heilman if the trade is right because his value will likely never be higher, but i wouldnt trade him just because of that.