Mets sign Freddy Garcia to minor league deal

The New York Mets have agreed to a minor league deal with veteran right-hander Freddy Garcia, according to the Daily News. If Garcia makes the major league team out of spring training, and hits all incentives, the deal could be worth up to $9 million dollars.

CLICK HERE FOR GARCIA'S CAREER NUMBERS

...I think this is a great pick-up by the Mets. I actually thought this may happen last season, but given the fact Garcia was shut down after 3 starts after signing with Detroit, it was probably wise to wait and see what happened with his shoulder.

Before his injury in 2007 Garcia, 32, was one of the most consistent innings eaters in baseball. He had pitched over 200 innings in 7 out of 10 seasons from 1999-2006 (228 innings pitched in 2005). He also has big game postseason experience. In 2005, Garcia then with the White Sox, started the clinching game of the World Series. He pitched 7 innings and only allowed 1 run with 7 strike outs. His overall playoff numbers are as follows: 5-2 with a 3.11 ERA with 45 strike outs and 22 walks.

Over the past 2 seasons, the Mets lack of depth in their starting rotation has left with in some very bad positions in some very important games. Does anyone remember Phil Humber being forced to make his major league debut in the midst of the Mets 2007 collapse. How about guys like Brandon Knight, Claudio Vargas and Nelson Figueroa? How did those guys help us down the stretch last season? Every team goes through injuries in their pitching staff at some point during the season. It's very important to have depth. Don't get me wrong, the bullpen has been a major problem the past 2 seasons; but would it have even gotten to that point if the Mets had better starting pitcher options? Maybe someone who could pitch more than 5 innings?

So as of right now, the Mets pitching staff has the following options:

Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, John Maine, Tim Redding, Jonathon Niese, Bobby Parnell, Brian Stokes, Freddy Garcia, Nelson Figueroa and then hopefully 1 of either Oliver Perez, Ben Sheets or Jon Garland (In that order for me).

Some may say that Minaya is stock piling pitchers because of an interest in Ben Sheets. With his injury history, they may want to make sure they're covered in case he gets hurt again. I honestly think Perez is their first choice, the fact that he's 27 and a lefty can not be overlooked.

Summary:

Worst case scenario, Freddy Garcia doesn't make the team and pitches in AAA all season, or gets hurt again. Best case scenario, Garcia maximizes his incentive based contract by making the major league roster and reaching all criteria for the $9 million dollar incentivized contract. I don't know the exact details of the contract, but I'm sure it would have Garcia pitching at least 180 innings or so. MLB teams are not allowed to use ERA as part of the incentives on player contracts, but wins and innings pitched are ok. So anyway, if all goes perfectly the Mets have themselves a very solid #5 starter. And that's what he was brought in to be folks, someone who will be competing for a #5 starter job. Tim Redding can work out of the bullpen as a long man (Which he already has said he would be ok with). Plus it gives Jon Niese the opportunity to develop during the year in AAA. That way he can master his skill and be ready later in the season or in 2010.

I say good move by Omar Minaya and the Mets.

Next move - Sign Oliver Perez or Ben Sheets.