Matsuzaka Expected To Make The Team

A day after frustrating their fan's by sending Wilmer Flores packing to the minors, the New York Mets are set for a repeat performance on Tuesday when its believed they will tap Daisuke Matsuzaka as the fifth starter in the rotation. Matsuzaka has spent the spring in a pseudo-competition with Jenrry Mejia, however the writing has been on the wall for most of the spring that it was Matsuzaka's position to lose.  According to ESPN's Adam Rubin, Daisuke's strong outing on yesterday should have locked up the role.

The Mets have until noon today to informed Matsuzaka whether or not his has made the team out of spring training.  If they choose instead to send him to the minors, they would be forced to pay him a $100,000 roster bonus for doing so.  I'd like to think that that sum of money has no bearing on the Mets decisions making process, but we can never tell nowadays.  As a result, it is believed the Jenrry Mejia will open the season in AAA Las Vegas where he will pitch out of the rotation and wait his turn with the big league team once again.

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This is one of those instances where I hate the outcome, but I understand the reasoning.  Jenrry Mejia isn't going anywhere, however if the Mets were to send Daisuke to the minors, not only would they have to pay him the $100,000 to do so, but he could also opt out of his contract and go elsewhere in late May.  As a result, the Mets rotation depth could suffer.  By having him throw in the majors, they put Matsuzaka on display for the rest of the league every fifth day.  If he pitches well, its likely that he could find himself on the trade block this summer in order to make way for the likes of Rafael Montero and/or Noah Syndergaard.  If he spends the season pitching in the minors, no such trade value exists.  It sucks... I get why fans will be upset, but it is what it is.

The 5th Spot in Mets Rotation

I was reading over @ metsblog that John Lannan is geared up and ready to go for spring training. He will compete for the 5th spot in the rotation with Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jenrry Mejia, and others. Lannan grew up on Long Island and is quoted as always wanting to sign with a New York team. He grew up a Yankee fan so wondering if that statement was being politically correct or he really wants to be here.

Assuming Mejia is healthy it should be interesting to see how this all shakes out. I have always liked Lannan as a back of the rotation starter. His ERA has always been where it should be for someone in that role with a slight decline over the last couple of years. I don't think that last year was any indication of what he is capable with the injuries he had.

Whoever lands the job I think as Mets fans we don't have many concerns over the starting rotation. Personally, I would like to see Mejia win the spot. He has shown flashes of potential and that he belongs in the big leagues. Based on last years small sample he showed that he can be a starter its just a matter of staying healthy. Dice K started off rough and finished well. The problem I have with him is he works so darn slow. I wonder if that bugs his team mates? I can assure you if he does crack the rotation my mlb.tv account won't be in use on the days he takes the ball.

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Mets Sign Daisuke Matsuzaka

Dice-K returning to #Mets.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) January 24, 2014

The Mets will add Dice-K's name to the collection of folks competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, as they have signed him to a minor league contract.  That group now includes Jenrry Mejia (the frontrunner), John Lannan and Dice-K.

Dice-K finished strong for the Mets last season.  Its a reasonable addition and one that will provide starting pitching depth to the organization.  You can never have enough pitching, period.

Matsuzaka Back To The Mets? No So Fast...

First there was this:

Sports Hochi: Matsuzaka back to the Mets on a minor league deal; announcement in the next few days http://t.co/yZKGTj0vZ6
— Patrick Newman (@npbtracker) January 15, 2014

Then there was this:

I've been told by a #Mets person the Daisuke Matsuzaka report out of Japan is "not true at all." False alarm from Sports Hochi, perhaps.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) January 15, 2014

Live by the rumor, die by the rumor.  Its a crazy world of up to the minute news we live in, but bring Daisuke Matsuzaka back to the Mets is a move that makes sense.  The Mets need a veteran who can not only compete for the fifth spot in the rotation, but is also willing to take a minor league deal. Matsuzaka fits that mold.  More importantly, he pitched well down the stretch last year.

After what looked like a busted experiment, Daisuke posted four consecutive very strong outings to close out the year.  The strong finish allowed him to post his lowest ERA since 2008 (yes, I'm aware its a small sample size).  Whether or not his brief bounce back to form is a direct result of Dan Warthen is anyone's guess, but you can't argue with the results.

As an aside, while I sit here explaining to you why I think its a good idea to bring Matsuzaka back this season, bear in mind that I tweeted this gem as recently as September.  Amazing how things can change in an instant...

Dear Everyone, No matter how well Dice-K pitches, he is not an option for the rotation next season...
— Rob Patterson (@RobPatterson83) September 15, 2013

What You'll Miss While You're Watching Football Today

The Mets continue to limp down the stretch having lost five of their last six and and fifteen of their last twenty-four.  Today, they will send Daisuke Matsuzaka and his 10.95 ERA to the mound in an attempt to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Indians.

On the bright side, the Mets are doing everything in their power to ensure the Yankees are also on the outside looking in when the playoffs begin in a few weeks.  With the help of the Mets, the Cleveland Indians have now won five straight and leapfrogged the Yankees in the AL Wild Card race.

Long story short... Today's lineup features Josh Satin at designated hitter, Anthony Recker behind the dish and Justin Turner at the hot corner.  AKA... enjoy your football and have a beer for us too!