Omar For The Last Time, Please Re-Sign Pedro

Three months ago, when I first joined Bleacher Report, the Mets had broken my heart again for the third straight year. I knew then that the fate of my favorite Mets player was sealed. He had probably played his last game for the team he'd promised to bring a world championship to four years ago.

(Read my analysis here.)

In that article I talked about Pedro the man, not just the player. I spoke about his positive attitude and his contribution to the entire club; and stated why this should not go unnoticed. His signing with the Mets brought legitimacy back to Queens. The influx of other excellent players to the New York Mets because he was on the team was profound.

His departure at the end of this year was expected though. Pedro had a trying and disappointing 2008. He'd come back from serious shoulder surgery, and had also lost his Dad. It seemed certain that Pedro's Hall of Fame career was quickly coming to an end.

Although I'm in a minority, I didn't want to believe it for a minute. Pedro is not a quitter. If he felt like his career was over or the doctors told him it was time to hang up his cleats, that's probably what he would do. However, the doctors didn't tell him that, and he didn't hang up his cleats, and I felt his legacy was still secure.

To those who say it is, I say, NO! Pedro is not done. He is far from done. Despite the fact he has received only limited interest in the off-season, Pedro worked as hard to get ready for 2009 as he had ever worked in the past. He knew that even if he wasn't signed, he would be able to showcase his skills in the WBC.

Fast forward to today. Word out of Port St Lucie is that Johan Santana injured his elbow by throwing too much too soon to test out his surgically-repaired knee. Worst case scenario is that Santana might not be ready for opening day. That would be a disaster. However, if he's not, look what other pitching problems are out there.

I wrote an article about 10 days ago about just this issue; the competition for the No. 5 spot in the rotation (read my article here).

My head is spinning from what I've seen so far. Tim Redding is just getting ready for initial work, Jon Niese and Freddy Garcia didn't look too good, and Livan Hernandez has seemed to be the best so far.

While many readers may disagree with it, here's my opinion:

First, Niese needs a full year at Buffalo where he will start every 5th day and hone his skills. This will give him the time to increase the speed and location on his fastball.

Second, bye bye Freddie. Your game has been gone for years it's time to move on. Besides, you couldn't make it in Philadelphia so how can you expect to make it in New York.

Third, Keep both Hernandez and Redding. Stick the loser of the five spot in the bullpen as the long man, and bring back Pedro. Make him the four while Santana is out. Let him fulfill his promise and win the Comeback Player of the Year Award. Then, when Santana gets back, there will be no stopping us.

Omar, you brought Pedro in to save the franchise in 1995 and he can do it again in 2009. He is still better than both Redding and Hernandez and you don't want to be facing him in September; trust me on this one. You know it's the right thing to do.

So, Omar, for the last time, please re-sign Pedro.