Jon Heyman’s recent report that the Mets still have money to spend makes it very possible that the team will and address the holes still on the roster. Following the R.A. Dickey trade the Mets are in need of another starting pitcher. A pitcher who has been connected with the Mets is former Brewer and Blue Jay, 32-year-old Shaun Marcum.
Marcum isn’t a hard thrower, but he has a knack for getting outs. Unfortunately, he also has a knack for getting injured, pitching at least 200 innings only once in his career. Marcum missed a large chunk of last season with shoulder stiffness and elbow tightness. However, when Marcum is healthy he is a very effective pitcher posting a 3.70 or lower ERA over his past four seasons. The FIP numbers have been less kind for the soft tossing righty but he continues to out pitch his peripheral numbers. A large part of his success stems from doing a good job keeping runners off base pitching to a 1.224 career WHIP. He also was slightly above the league average with a 20.7% strikeout rate and right on the league average with a 7.8% walk rate.
The old adage goes, “ you can never have too much pitching”. With the propensity that pitchers get injured it’s never a bad idea to have extra starting pitching so as not to be stuck with a Pat Misch type like the Mets have been in recent years. Reports are that Marcum has been asking for either a two or three year deal. Three years would be too many, one year would be ideal but should or would the Mets consider Marcum on a two-year deal?
23 comments
darknova306
1/7/2013-1:27pm at 1:27 pm (UTC -4)
How much money the Mets have available to spend is nothing more than speculation. I’d say the team has more important concerns than rotational depth at this point. They need bullpen arms. Then need an outfield. Those two things could easily eat up whatever discretionary budget they have left.
Mr North Jersey
1/7/2013-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
Off Topic:
Agent John Boggs said the Yankees and Mets are among five teams to express interest in free agent outfielder Ben Francisco. Playing time will figure into Francisco’s decision, according to Boggs. The right-handed hitting Francisco has a career line of .252/.329/.414 against left-handed pitching.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/01/new-york-notes-hairston-pavano-francisco.html
Stick
1/7/2013-2:49pm at 2:49 pm (UTC -4)
he also sucks FWIW.
srt
1/7/2013-2:51pm at 2:51 pm (UTC -4)
What Stick said.
I’d rather roll with our young’uns then waste the money on Ben Francisco.
Stick
1/7/2013-2:54pm at 2:54 pm (UTC -4)
He is also a Phils discard, which would stick in my craw.
might as well just let the hoffmans and browns dice it out if they can’t find anyone better than this stiff.
TX
1/7/2013-3:58pm at 3:58 pm (UTC -4)
You have a craw?
gategem
1/7/2013-9:43pm at 9:43 pm (UTC -4)
TX, he contracted it on a trip to the Louisiana bayous.
TX
1/7/2013-10:54pm at 10:54 pm (UTC -4)
Nothing good happens in Louisiana. Been there too many times. Flew out the morning that Katrina rolled thru, actually, a hour before they closed the airport.
Well, the food is pretty good, though the mystery ingredients worry me a tad.
Bryan
1/7/2013-2:25pm at 2:25 pm (UTC -4)
I would love to see the Mets sign Marcum, I’ve always liked him. I’m not sure how it would work out with a two-year deal, but if he’s healthy he could definitely win 10 games for them this year.
TX
1/7/2013-2:25pm at 2:25 pm (UTC -4)
I think he’s about the best pitcher available, talent wise. just a matter of when he’ll break down. Which wouldn’t be a bad thing, but considering Santana is also in the rotation, as well as Gee, it’s tough to think the risk would be worth it unless you sign 2 pitchers, a la Marcum and Young. And the trouble with that is both want to start and won’t want to be BP peeps.
Stick
1/7/2013-2:52pm at 2:52 pm (UTC -4)
the “if healthy” part is key. and a guy that missed most of the year with shoulder and elbow injuries does not giveyou confidence.
maybe on a a 1+1 deal with incentives?
What about that Stauffer’s mac and cheese guy? he can pitch out of the pen too, right?
Is there anyone else out there that has a chance to be decent while also being relatively healthy so you can sorta count on him making his starts?
wanny
1/7/2013-4:03pm at 4:03 pm (UTC -4)
marcum has been the most effective of the options. I would sign him for two years so long as the salary is reflective of a guy who will pitch only a year and a half worth of those two years. 2 and 12… something like that.
heyman tweeted early this morning that the mets and pavano have been negotiating. cant see that being a good sign even at $1m a year.
TX
1/7/2013-4:25pm at 4:25 pm (UTC -4)
10 Teams in on Alvarez.
Please Please Please come to NY!!! And not to the Yanks, either.
TX
1/7/2013-4:33pm at 4:33 pm (UTC -4)
Stand down. I flubbed that up. 10 teams interested in Diaz.
Regardless, bring Alvarez to NYM!
Stick
1/7/2013-8:51pm at 8:51 pm (UTC -4)
screw it. Use all this money saved and bring them both in.
TX
1/7/2013-10:55pm at 10:55 pm (UTC -4)
Preaching to the choir.
Mr North Jersey
1/7/2013-10:57pm at 10:57 pm (UTC -4)
Diaper duty must be getting the best of you.
Stick
1/7/2013-11:09pm at 11:09 pm (UTC -4)
That, and the 75th straight day of rain.
TX
1/8/2013-1:42am at 1:42 am (UTC -4)
There was like 3 days in a row with sun. The masses we all out side. Made me chuckle.
TX
1/8/2013-1:43am at 1:43 am (UTC -4)
Yes. Yes it is. :/
greggofboken
1/7/2013-5:49pm at 5:49 pm (UTC -4)
I’m all for Shaun Marcum, though I think he comes in at the very north end of the Mets’ affordability and would preclude the addition of anything other than “occupant”-level talent for any further outfield/bullpen additions.
Given the number of other teams sniffing around after him, I’m pessimistic.. Fine for a 2-year deal w/the second year an option kicking in if IP markers are met.
kingman 26
1/7/2013-8:17pm at 8:17 pm (UTC -4)
Marcum is an outstanding risk and option for this team, which as of now, despite the hope for the future, has Niese and Harvey, Gee and Johan returning from injuries, and little else.
After what Jackson and Liriano got, there is absolutely zero chance whatsoever that this broke and pathologically dishonest team can or will sign Marcum, unless he is willing to come for something like 1/5, which is highly unlikely.
Pavano? A horrible pitcher with a horrible career who flamed out magnificently in NY and has no heart according to his Yankee teammates. THIS is who the Mets are apparently considering.
Stick
1/7/2013-8:59pm at 8:59 pm (UTC -4)
makes Chris Young look not so bad after all, doesn’t it?
I would much rather go for a less “name brand” option that might actually have some talent and potential in there someplace.