Offseason Off to Slow Start

Well, the deal for Yorvit "Soviet" Torrealba fell through, leaving the Mets wanting for a catcher, Tom Glavine went back home to Atlanta, Luis Castillo is going to be the Mets second baseman for a while, and the Mets still need to find a way to get a top line starter or two.

Catcher

The Mets don't believe that Ramon Castro can handle the load by himself, and they may have good reason for that thinking.  He was productive in a part-time role last year, but when he was getting the bulk of the playing time while Paul Lo Duca was hurt, his production fell.

The Mets have shown interest in Baltimore's Ramon Hernandez and Texas's Gerald Laird, and resigning Paul Lo Duca is still an option, though the Mets may have to pay more now than before they went after Torrealba.  Hernandez had an off year in 2007, following a year in which he had 23 homers and 91 RBI.  Laird hit .224 with nine homers in a hitters' ballpark.  New York would love Hernandez, especially if at age 31, he can revert to his usual form.  And Lo Duca is still a viable option.  He's not the hitter he used to be, but if he stays healthy, he's still one of the better all-around catchers in the league.

Another option would be to find a solid, veteran catcher at a low, low price, and take a chance on Castro.  But who would fit into that category?

Glavine

I was one of those Mets fans who soured on Glavine following his three horrendous starts down the stretch in 2007, culminating with his shocking final third of an inning with the team on the last day of the season.  But Glavine did his job for the Mets until then.  He stayed healthy, he ate innings, his wins were in double-digits four out of five of his Mets years, and his ERA was under 4.00 three out of those five years.

Most of all, he carried the Mets starting rotation through the 2006 playoffs, posting a 1.59 ERA and two wins, in the absence of Orlando Hernandez and Pedro Martinez.

He was the Mets ace, a hard worker, and a mentor to the younger pitchers.  He had a rough start, and a rougher ending to his Mets career, but he helped the team far more than he hurt them.  We'll miss you Tom, and good luck in Atlanta.  Just not against the Mets.

Castillo

David Eckstein sure would have looked good at second base wearing royal blue, huh?  Once the Mets realized that wasn't feasible, they jumped on Castillo, inking him to a slightly extravagant four-year deal.  If his knees hold up, he will continue to be an asset to the Mets.  If his knees hold up.

Starting pitching

The Mets missed their opportunity to get Jon Garland, a guy who would have fit in well in the rotation.  He was acquired by the Angels for Orlando Cabrera.  Kind of a strange move for the White Sox, who already have a shortstop in Juan Uribe.  So who knows what they would have wanted from the Mets.  Still, this one stings just a little.

With not much done in the early going, the offseason continues, with the Mets focus on starting pitching, bullpen help, and finding another catcher.