New York Mets: A Rotation of Problems

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

It goes without saying that the New York Mets' Achillies heel last season was the bullpen. Locking down the wins in the eighth and ninth inning was very difficult for a makeshift bullpen, which lost Bill Wagner late last year and never found the right formula of relievers for getting the win.

Ironically enough, the bullpen has been rock solid this year. New additions JJ Putz and Francisco Rodriguez have been nothing short of godsends and very reliable when the Mets have a led going into the eighth. Maybe overlooked are the contributions of newly acquired Sean Green and youngsters Bobby Parnell and Brian Stokes, who have made great strides as late inning relievers.

The Mets' curse so far in this short season has been inconsistent and shaky starting pitching. Johan Santana has been the ace everyone knew he would be, giving up just one earned run in three starts.

After finally breaking out last year, No. 2 man Mike Pelfrey has been roughed up and bothered by nagging injuries. Oliver Perez, whom the team committed a large contract to in the offseason, doesn’t appear to be in shape for the year and has been wildly inconsistent (pun thoroughly intended). John Maine has been very sharp at times, but has fallen victim to disaster innings and looks like he will never be more than a 5-6 inning starter.

Livan Hernandez has been spectacular for the Mets this season, especially given his lack of success in recent years. Perhaps he is best fit in the NL, and he can provide great fifth starter production.

However, many have to be skeptical if Hernandez can keep it up. He has a track record of fast starts and drastic falloffs. At the very least, he will eat innings and throw strikes, which will be helpful in giving the bullpen a rest after they are worked like dogs during Perez and Maine starts.

With many top starters available via trade and the economy forcing lower market teams to potentially have to deal top talent for salary relief, the Mets could have many options to fill the the void created by an ineffective staff.

With few options in the minors for immediate help, and lefty Jon Neise looking less and less like the prospect the Mets thought he could be, it might be time to sell the farm off for a top notch starter.

Roy Halladay, Jake Peavy, and Roy Oswalt are all previous CY Young award winners, and all look to be on the block soon, if not already. The Mets don’t have the strongest farm, but they have a lot to give away if a team inquired.

Young SS prospect Wilmer Flores could be enticing, as well as Jon Neise and Fernando Martinez. F-Mart, who once left Mets fans salivating, is not matching his potential with production. It might be time to sell him while his values might still be high, much like the Yankees did with Jose Tabata.

2008 first rounders Reece Havens and Ike Davis, as well as Eddie Kunz and even Nick Evans, might be of interest, and are hardly untradeable blue-chippers.

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