Ernest Dove - Dillon Gee.....Top of the Rotation Type Guy?

  First off, I've never shied away from being a Dillon Gee fan.  I've liked him from day one.  From the time of Dillon Gee début back in September 2010, Gee came right out of the gate.  5 starts that year, an ERA of 2.18, and giving up less hits then innings pitched (6.8/9).  However, the initial story has remained the same.  He doesn't throw hard. His K rate per 9 innings is under 7 for his career (6.6/9). And, even before Sandy Alderson and company took over, the Mets, since 2010, have always been waiting on 'the real prospects' to take over.

  To add to it, even after Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Mejia, Familiar and all the other 95+ mph fireballers have made it to the show, there has also been the time, within the past two years, where a fellow 'soft tossing' pitcher named Hefner came along, and also attracted his own bit of bus.  All the while, Dillon Gee has remained.  Even after a blood clot, which may have endangered his life, has come and gone, Gee remains 'that additional guy' in the minds of many fans and critics.

  It seems like, from the time Gee came up at the age of 24, until he currently is in what many may consider his prime, Gee remains a guy with an SP5 projection, in the eyes of most experts.  And so, as we come upon a possible wealth of pitching, and that now magical 2015 season (and potential rotation) approaches, perhaps it is time to reconsider this after-though that is Dillon Gee.

  No matter how many times we hear about prospects, projections, and draft pick status, the one thing you can't forget about is that of a winner.  As I've stated in a previous article, for all the promise of success, from all the 95+ mph hurlers, the one actual constant, at the major league level, is Dillon Gee.  The pitcher who, night in and night out, has a better then 50% chance of at least throwing a quality start.

  Maybe I'm crazy.  Maybe I'm out of ideas for writing topics. Maybe I'm really upset about what the Mets are currently doing, or not doing, in Colorado as I write this.  But I will say, there are 'soft tossing' pitchers out there, around the league, who remain steady, stable, and productive.  The last time I checked, Greg Maddux never put much of a hurting on a catchers mitt..........(calm down, I'm not comparing Gee to HOF pitcher Greg Maddox). I'm simply trying to state that hitting 98 on the gun, doesn't have to be a requirement to be your teams first, second or third pitcher to start your season).

  How about this.  As we continue on in this second month of the season, and as we enter the summer, maybe Mets management would be wise to keep my man Gee.  Matt Harvey has had an exciting 36 career starts. Mejia has electric stuff, and great hair. Niese is solid, and a lefty.  Montero seems nice, and Thor has a great nickname, and a "hook from hell".  But Dillon Gee is the guy, here in the present (2014) who is having a career year. He has 6 starts, 4 of which are 'quality starts', and despite his apparent concerns beyond 6 innings, he is still solidly giving this team 6 innings plus, every 5th day.  And, on a team which lacks consistent hitting, its extremely important to have a proven guy out there who can give you a chance to win some 4-3, 3-2 games.

  And, to me, no matter who this teams keeps, as part of their possible dream rotation from 2015 and beyond, if you told me that Dillon Gee was my SP2 or SP3 during these next couple of years, I would be ok with it.