Odds and Ends: Gammons, Kawakami, Buck

There is an interesting point in Sherman's article that, in putting Niese in the #5 spot, the Mets would be left susceptible to having guys like Brandon Knight, Nelson Figueroa, Brian Lawrence, Claudio Vargas, Jose Lima, and Tony Armas pitching important games for the Mets in the likely event of injury. I totally agree with this. I will honestly flip if Omar does not go out and get some reinforcements for the pitching staff just like he hasn't in the past three years.

Instead of leaving Niese out there as the expected #5 starter, they should resign Pedro Martinez to a one-year, incentive laden contract with the expectation that Pedro, with a full year of health and no family-related baggage, will find a way to recreate himself as a crafty pitcher in his mid-30's. I expect this because he is one of the smarter pitchers in baseball. Then, in the likely event of injury, at least Niese is sitting there waiting for his shot instead of a Quadruple-A retread.

Also, it's getting to the point that I think Oliver Perez should come back (as long as it's not like 5/90 or something ridiculous). I don't trust the injury histories of Penny, Burnett, and Sheets, I think Lowe is pricing himself out of a lot of teams' price ranges (especially at his age, even though he's a sinkerball pitcher), and Sabathia is an obvious stud that will get overpaid as such. Perez has a fairly clean injury history, he is still yet to enter his prime, and he has achieved a comfort level in New York that has earned him a small reputation as a big-game pitcher. I think the biggest gripe about him is his inconsistency, especially against horrible teams. I think the idea that he will have to come up just as big in the games against last-place teams will come with maturity. I trust the devil I know more than an unknown one.

The thought of trading Buck is a noble one, but to whom would he be traded? It's not as though there are a bunch of teams out there screaming for this kind of catcher, and Rany pretty much made the case as to why he wouldn't be traded for anything of value.

I'm trying to think of potential landing spots, and aside from Boston (not likely), Florida (they're trading off money, not taking it on), Houston (ironic), Cincinnati and Atlanta (just because of the relationship DM and the Braves have, despite Sammons and Flowers being there), I don't have a lot. Anyone else have any ideas?

To clarify my previous post, Nelson Figueroa is a free agent. What I should have said is somebody comparable to Figueroa.

Red Sox fans are ready for the golden age of Buck. Buck up Red Sox fans, the days of Jason Varitek are gone!