In this edition of “Make it or break itâ€, we take a look at John Maine. John has had a weird ride in 2009. Coming off shoulder surgery in the offseason, John got off to a slooow start in April. He closed out the first month of the season with a 5.40 ERA and a 1-2 record. John however rebounded nicely in May and posted up a 2.75 ERA and going 4-1 but that’s where John fell into the rabbits hole. After a few bad starts in June, John was placed on the DL with what at that time was arm fatigue. After that, there was a different report almost on a daily basis on John’s real injury. After soon falling off the media wagon all together, he made his return in September against the Phillies. John is coming off a $2 million arbitration signing for 2009 and will again go through arbitration going into 2010
Now I am a believer of looking at a person’s body of work to make a decision about that person. John has been injury plagued for two years now. He seems to be the type to “over think†many things and often is known for his emotions clouding his focus on the mound. Now one benefit of Maine is that he owns the Marlins (2.75 Era) and Phillies (2.54 Era). He also does well again the Nationals with a 4.04 ERA and 6-2 record. Now he is by no means a stud pitcher with a career 4.18 ERA and 1.31 WHIP but he is serviceable. In my opinion, I think the Mets should take a reasonable look at Maine next year for if anything minor league pitching depth. He is 28 years old and has success versus our division teams, which comes in handy if the injury bug spills into next year.
Another factor to consider is the fact that the Mets only have 2 guaranteed contracts coming next year for the rotation in Santana and Perez. All the other spots are up for grabs and while the Mets have viable in house candidates for them, they all lack the Major League experience that Maine has. Also for a team that has to fill many holes with at best no increase to this year’s payroll, they have to think about where would be the best way to spend their money.
What would you do? Would you scrap Maine entirely or keep him around for next year?
22 comments
Kingman 26
9/24/2009-9:43am at 9:43 am (UTC -4)
Nice piece Dirty.
Definitely keep Maine. He will be cheap, he is young, he has shown flashes of being very good, and I say Lackey, Johan, some other vet better than Redding for a slot, and then let Maine, Big Pelf, and Ollie the Magnificent compete for two spots in the spring.
Maybe that way they might all come to camp healthy and with something to prove.
CaseStreet
9/24/2009-9:52am at 9:52 am (UTC -4)
I don’t see Ollie fighting for a spot.
I’ll be happy if Omar brings in a starter to replace Livan and Niese starts in AAA.
Kingman 26
9/24/2009-10:10am at 10:10 am (UTC -4)
I agree with all of these sentiments….but, assuming Ollie does actually care and want to pitch, forcing him to compete for a spot MIGHT be a way to motivate him?
trs86
9/24/2009-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
And if he loses, what do you do with him?
CaseStreet
9/24/2009-9:47am at 9:47 am (UTC -4)
You don’t get rid of a guy w/ Maine’s experience and contract. Having guys like him around allow the Mets to get guys like Santana.
However, if after addressing the other holes, there is a better option that would fit within the budget, I’m all for it.
ceetar
9/24/2009-10:01am at 10:01 am (UTC -4)
Maine should be the only injury risk guy on the team. (Provided we replace Warthen/Manuel and get guys that know how to coach Perez) Santana, Pelfrey, Perez, Maine. Get a 5th guy. Niese will probably be ready to step in for Maine if he gets hurt, or someone else. There is no reason to cut Maine, especially while he’s healthy right now. He struggled with his recovery, but he’s recovered now. Maybe rest is his issue, as he said. These couple of starts followed by an Offseason of rest could be helpful.
darknova306
9/24/2009-10:05am at 10:05 am (UTC -4)
I don’t like that rotation one bit. You’ve Johan and 4 giant question marks. You’re relying on too much luck to win 85+ games with that rotation.
Kingman 26
9/24/2009-10:06am at 10:06 am (UTC -4)
No way the team can make the major mistake of again going with Pelf/Maine/Ollie as the 2-3-4 starters. This is a guaranteed recipe for disaster.
What have we seen for two years now?
The team MUST sign Lackey or trade for a serious number two if we have any hope of doing anything next year.
Pelf/Ollie/Maine are–quite clearly–NOT a 2-3-4 for a serious contender. No way, no chance, not gonna happen.
ceetar
9/24/2009-1:54pm at 1:54 pm (UTC -4)
A lot of that is bad managing and bad pitching coach. Bring in some real guys would be a start.
Perez and Maine have performed for us in the past.
Pelfrey had a bad year, and i attribute that a lot to a poor team and not having a good teacher. Again, real pitching coach.
Lackey’s not the right guy in my opinion, and this is where I want that 5th guy to be a guy that we can rely on, throws innings, and doesn’t get injured. Have at least 4 guys (Maine the 5th) that we can reasonably expect not to really need to be replaced mid-season, so that Niese can be our 6th/fill in guy and we don’t need a 7th for any real stretch.
darknova306
9/24/2009-10:03am at 10:03 am (UTC -4)
Agreed, you can never have too much pitching.
I say we give Maine a chance to earn a spot in the back end of the rotation in ST. The only real issue I see with him is that him and Ollie combine to work our pen a lot more than I’d like. Still, I’ve liked Maine ever since that playoff start against LA in 06. Hope the guy can find it again and stay healthy.
trs86
9/24/2009-10:12am at 10:12 am (UTC -4)
The problem that we have is that we can’t go with Pelfrey, Perez, Maine unless we either do 1 of two things.
A) Bring in that #2 starter. After Lackey there are no #2 FA and as far as the trade market besides Halladay which would account for our entire offseason there are no trade candidates.
B) Get another 3-5 guy on a 1 year contract for much cheaper and improve the hell out of the offense. Example an innings guy that can have an ERA in the low 4′s and pitch 200 innings for around 8M. Then spend that extra 8-10M from Lackey on hitters for LF and 1B.
In other words, when the Mets have so many holes can they afford to have all their eggs in the Lackey basket who most likely will wait until late to sign?
DNDJohan aka kistics
9/24/2009-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
Don’t you think that after signing Lackey or #2 SP, Mets will have 8-10M to spend on the offense? I think guys like Dye, Abreu, Vlad or Winn could be a good addition for 8-10M. (Maybe not Vlad….)
trs86
9/24/2009-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
Who is this OR? There are no more OR’s after Lackey.
CaseStreet
9/24/2009-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
sounds like you’re advocating for Marquis.
Holliday, Delgado and Marquis?
trs86
9/24/2009-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
I actually think Marquis will get 10-12M and 3 years.
CaseStreet
9/24/2009-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
sounds reasonable
trs86
9/24/2009-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
WAY too risky. I would rather spend the extra 6M a year to get Lackey. Marquis is having a career year right at the right time.
CaseStreet
9/24/2009-11:50am at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
Would you give Lackey more than Lowe (3yrs/$15M) or Burnett (5yrs/$16.5M)?
steveo
9/24/2009-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
The only place for maine next year will have to be a relief role and then step in for an occasional start relying on him is a presciption for disaster he is a 5 inning pitcher 3 plus years of him has shown that. I agree letting him go is stupid but depending on him is worse
trs86
9/24/2009-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
Hmm, a 5 inning pitcher would only average 5 innings right? Maine at least averages 5.5 in a normal year. So maybe you should say 5 1/2 inning pitcher.
stickguy
9/24/2009-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
yes they should keep maine, and give him the chance to earn a rotation spot in ST.
And he has really only been a “5 inning” pitcher when he was slowed with the shoulder injury (starting in what, 2007/
Of course, being a met, his rehab and recovery was a fiasco, but if (as it seems) the root cause (spur) was fixed, and he finally has rehabbed enough (and has a full off seaosn to strengthen his shoulder), then hopefully he will be good to go by ST, and can manage a full season.
Yeah, they should try to get another solid mid/uper rotation guy anyway, but I actually expect Maine to have a big rebound year next year, and probably to be the best of the bunch of the young guys fighting for a spot.
cutting him loose for nothing would be idiotic, so don’t put it past the Mets FO.
trs86
9/24/2009-11:48am at 11:48 am (UTC -4)
Yeah no reason not to bring him back. But IF he is counted on as a mid-rotation guy it will be a disaster.