Mets release Freddy Garcia

After two miserable starts for Triple-A Buffalo, the Mets have parted ways with Freddy Garcia.  He was 0-2 with a 8.18 ERA.

Garcia signed with the Mets this off-season after auditioning for a handful of teams as he attempts to recover from surgery.  His contract was said to be worth up to $8 million if all his incentives were met.

Garcia, though, does not plan to retire, according to his agent.  But he’s mulling it.

The Mets are slim at pitching options and with the recent struggles of the starting rotation, it may be time to worry.  They have a handful of younger guys who just aren’t ready for the big show, but not much else.

It may be time to call up Pedro Martinez just to see how he’s doing.

Garcia assigned to minor league camp

OK, Mets...just make the announcement already. Livan Hernandez is the No. 5 starter, but they haven't said it yet.

Freddy Garcia has be assigned to minor league camp, and contrary to previous reports Garcia will stick with the team.

Assistant GM John Ricco had this to say, as quoted by Peter Botte:

"He still has a ways to go," Ricco said, "but I'm glad he's going to stay with us and try to work things out."

Garcia must know he's looked rough this spring. I'm sure we'll see him on the Mets sometime this summer.

Livan for the fifth

Yesterday's performance all but secured Livan Hernandez as the Mets fifth starter. Between his five innings of five hit ball, allowing only one run and Freddy Garcia's two inning, five earned run outing, it seems like Hernandez will be tabbed for the final turn.

And then there is this quote from Jerry Manuel, via Adam Rubin:

"I'll tell you what, he was pretty good today," Jerry Manuel said about Hernandez. "He has a good presence about him on the mound, in the dugout. It's like he brings a different energy for us. I would have to say he's put himself in a real good position."

I'd say that's pretty telling if you ask me.

He may give up a lot of hits and he may look like he's throwing softball pitches at times, but if Hernandez can get out there for 200+ innings in 2009, he would save the bullpen a lot of work. Even if his ERA is nearing 5.00, I think the offense, on some days, can counter that.

Maybe, just for an added measure, the team can stitch "Traschel" into the back of his jersey, and Hernandez will magically win 15 games.

And as for Garcia, I wouldn't be surprised if by the time the World Baseball Classic is over, he's out looking for work again.

Redding gets rocked

Tim Redding made his first appearance in a game against the University of Michigan and let's just say it didn't go very well.

Redding's line: 0.1 IP, 5 hits, 5 earned runs, 2 home runs, 1 K. And that was against the University of Michigan.

Freddy Garcia, who made the start today against U of M, allowed three hits in two full innings, but no runs.

Also in action in split-squad style, some Mets are taking on the Washington Nationals with Livan Hernandez making the start. Four innings for Hernandez, who allowed three runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out one.

The fifth starter position is wide open.

The State of the Mets -- 3/7/09

As you're reading this, I'm likely flying over your heads on my way to Aruba, but I prepared my weekly State of the Mets in advance.

Topics covered: Luis Castillo, Fernando Tatis and the race for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Enjoy.

Game Recap: Cardinals 15 -- Mets 4

It seems no one wants that fifth spot of the rotation.

On The Mound

Freddy Garcia made the start for the Mets trying to rebound from a poor outing the first time around. It did not go well. Two innings, three hits and two home runs later, the Cardinals had the lead 4-0. Garcia did strike out three batters and walked one, but the two homers really looked bad. Chris Duncan's three-run shot was crushed.

Following Garcia, Jon Switzer took the mound for one inning. He allowed two earned runs on two hits, paired with a walk and a strikeout.

Dillon Gee fared the worst of the pitchers, but was hurt by a pair of errors. Gee allowed seven runs (two earned) in one inning on five hits.

Rocky Cherry and Victor De Los Santos each pitched one inning of no-hit baseball, with Cherry tallying one strike out.

Carlos Muniz and Kyle Snyder each allowed one run in their inning of work, sandwiched around a hitless inning from Tom Martin.

At The Plate

Robinson Cancel and Marlon Anderson were the only Mets with multiple hits. Cancel had a single, double and one RBI. Anderson doubled twice and picked up a RBI.

Angel Pagan continued his hot spring, going 1-1 with a walk and driving in two runs with his single in the seventh inning.

In The Field

Jose Coronado and Gee each committed one error. Luis Castillo, Coronado and Marlon Anderson also completed one double play.

Next Up

The Mets will take on their NL East rivals Washington Nationals tomorrow, but won't grace your television screens again until Saturday.

The rotation, if the season started today

David Lennon relays this info, from Dan Warthen:

As of today, with everyone healthy, this is the Mets' rotation to start the season:

1. Johan Santana
2. Mike Pelfrey
3. Oliver Perez
4. John Maine
5. Tim Redding

I have a feeling, if healthy, that Freddy Garcia will be the fifth starter, and Redding will shift to long relief.

Just a hunch.

I like this order, though. Two very strong starters at the front of the rotation, and Redding/Garcia/the fifth starter won't be needed for the first two weeks or so of the season.

This works for me.

The State of the Mets -- 1/23/09

Here is the third edition of my weekly web show, The State of the Mets.

Topics covered: Freddy Garcia, Ben Sheets vs. Oliver Perez and The Mets and the Yankees.

Joining my for the Yankee segment was Andrew Fletcher of Scott Proctor's Arm, and during the goodbyes was Jeremy Schilling of JSchil.Wordpress.com.

Freddy G in NYC

The Mets have signed Freddy Garcia to a minor-league deal.

According to Adam Rubin, if Garcia makes the majors and surpasses the incentives in his contract, he can earn up to $9 million.

Woah. I'm glad the Mets landed Garcia, as I think he'll be beneficial in the long run. Still, that's a lot of dough.

If they're willing to pay Garcia $9 million for one season, I don't understand why they're unwilling to pay more for a better pitcher for a few years.

Update -- 9:17 p.m.: It's back. Breathe easier?

Update -- 9:15 p.m.: The page is gone, but it's still viewable on the Surfing the Mets homepage. I'm not sure if that means the deal is not there or if there are just server problems.

Down to New York

Oh, yippee.

Freddy Garcia is reportedly down to choosing between the Yankees and the Mets for his team in 2009.

Via Ken Rosenthal:

Garcia would prefer a major-league contract, which would guarantee him termination pay if he were released in March, but might need to accept a minor-league deal.

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The Mets are trying to sign a free-agent starter from a group consisting of left-hander Oliver Perez, right-hander Ben Sheet [sic] and lefty Randy Wolf.

Rosenthal also notes that the Mets and Yanks don't see Garcia as a definite addition to their rotations, making them less likely to offer him a major league contract.

More stockpiling?: Garcia to choose team this week

Freddy Garcia will be able to take the pick of the litter. While the litter only contains three teams (White Sox, Rangers and Mets), it's still a nice position to be in.

According to the Daily Herald, Garcia will make a decision sometime this week. The Mets could be looking to Garcia to compete with Tim Redding for the fifth spot in the rotation, or possibly more.

I don't care where he fits into their plans right now, they should sign him anyway. We know all too well that pitchers are going to get hurt and land of the disabled list. The more pitchers you have waiting in the wings, the better.

Mets Rumor: Freddy Garcia

Freddy Garcia has been drawing interest from the Mets for a while. As a free agent, coming off surgery and, well...right now.

The Mets have been in contact with his representatives, a baseball official confirmed. The righthander, who will be 32 on Opening Day, is a candidate to be signed by the Mets even if they sign one of the players ahead of him on the list. He could compete with recently signed Tim Redding for the No.5 spot.

He's another one of those low-risk, high-reward guys the Mets rarely sign. Stockpiling pitching should be the No. 2 priority right now, behind getting a front-line starter.

Go for it.

Freddy Garcia signs with the Tigers and Paul Byrd goes to the Red Sox

According to SI.com, free agent pitcher Freddy Garcia has signed with the Tigers.

The Mets were one of 15 teams to take a look at him, but their was no mutual interest.

And according to the Boston Globe, the Red Sox have acquired Paul Byrd.

Not like the Mets couldn't use another arm or two.

Mets should take a chance on Freddy Garcia

At this rate, we might not have any pitchers left at the end of the month. Omar Minaya, start signing away!

Freddy Garcia threw for representatives from roughly 15 teams in Miami on Tuesday on his way back from surgery he received just over one year ago.

A lot of teams are interested. Does that mean pitching help is that dire, or he's that good? Over his career, Garcia has gone 117-76 with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. A lot of wins, especially for only starting in 262 games, but that ERA is a bit lofty.

In his last three years, his ERA has risen nearly a point each season. In 2005, he had a 3.87. 2006 saw him post a 4.53. In a shortened 2007, he put up a 5.90.

The main reason teams like him: He's a workhorse. In his 10 year career, he's topped 200 innings six times. On the flip-side, he's also barely gotten over 100 in the other four years, with his highest being 124 innings in 2000.

If they Mets can get him on the cheap, which doesn't seem possible since so many teams are after him, I'd like to see him try and prove something. If the price is too steep, Minaya should simply walk away.