Can you believe it?
The New York Mets have found their ace.
The top of the rotation is complete.
With the health of the Mets frontline starters on high alert, in particular, its Dominican-born prodigal son, right-hander Pedro Martinez and respectfully Cuban-born Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez, who is also right-handed, the focus now falls on the second-tier twenty-six year old starters, right-hander John Maine and southpaw Oliver Perez. Until further notice, rookie right-hander Mike Pelfrey was on the top of the list with a shot at a starting slot, solidifying the back of the rotation. The consensus for this up-coming season’s core of pitchers was to be oriented around youth.
As we all well know, New York Mets GM Omar Minaya eventually came back from his Middle Eastern swoon, where he enjoyed playing ambassador for baseball and reached out to the state of Israel in hopes of landing a diamond in the rough. I‘ll just leave it at that and move on.
If history serves as a reminder, pitching prospects have always plagued the Mets. Tampa Bay Rays left-handed starter Scott Kazmir, a NY Mets prospect, was to serve as a harbinger of those great pitching staffs of the ’80s comprised of right-handers like Dwight Gooden and Ron Darling, and lefties Bobby Ojeda and Sid “5-0” Fernandez.
Of late, the off-season has revealed the same problem for the New York Mets, namely pitching. As a result, the front office recently sent immediate press via its website informing all of its loyal fans that they were in pursuit of a starting pitcher. The Mets abruptly settled for “El Duque’s” half-brother, Livan Hernandez, a poor-man’s David Wells, both of whom can be admired for their durability.
The likes of acquiring a top of the line starter like Minnesota Twins coveted and high-priced left-handed pitcher Johan Santana, who has already amassed two AL Cy Young awards, was as remote as the New York Giants making the Super Bowl. Come to think of it, the Giants made the Super Bowl and low and behold the Mets have reached a deal, in hopes of bringing future hall-of-fame stud Johan Santana to the throws of Queens County. If this holds true, the sports baton that has made its way to New England, in part, from the successes of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and we cannot forget their beloved Patriots, may be on unstable ground as the New York Giants battle Bean Town’s Boys and god-willing a big name pitcher is on his way to New York, to help edge out the “Sawks” come this year’s Fall Classic.
My heart goes out to preemie outfielder Carlos Gomez for sacrificing himself for the betterment of the New York Mets strengthening their post-season chances and erasing the calamity that they endured only five months ago. I have to say I won’t lose sleep over the loss of the following farmhands, all pitchers, Kevin Mulvey, Philip Humber, and Deolis Guerra who would have contributed if they ever were called to duty.
If you can hear me George Steinbrenner, good luck this year!
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