The Case For Jon Garland

It is no secret that the Mets need pitching. Their current rotation consists of Johan Santana and a bunch of hope. While I believe the Mets preference is to acquire a starting pitcher via the trade market, I still believe that it will come down to the wire and they will sign one of the following pitchers: Ben Sheets, Erik Bedard, Doug Davis or Jon Garland. Of the remaining free agent pitchers, I believe the choice is easy for the Mets. Jon Garland represents the one thing the Mets have been lacking over the past few years - consistency. Garland wont wow you with anything he does, he had a sub-.500 record, his ERA was 4.01, and he gave up 255 hits in 204 innings. But, most importantly, Garland has made over 30 starts for the last 8 years, and had an ERA around 4.50 throughout those years, which many people criticize. However, what they fail to realize is that Garland put up such an ERA in the American League. I believe that Garland would benefit from the spacious Citi Field, and would slot nicely in the #3 slot of the rotation. His numbers are almost guaranteed to be better pitching in the National League and throwing half of his games in a pitchers park. Honestly, I can see Garland winning 11+ games with a 3.50 ERA for a healthy Mets team in 2010. Hopefully Garland would accept a 2 year deal, but I would even consider a 3rd year if necessary. Now, of course signing Garland does not solve our glaring need for a stud #2 behind Santana, but he does give the rotation a sure thing, which Pelfrey, Maine, Ollie, and Niese are not.