Reese Kaplan -- Their Numbers are Dwindling...

At the risk of being politically incorrect, people of a certain age remember the childhood song, “Ten little Indians” in which you counted down the remaining ones available.  That song ran through my head when on Thursday all of the sudden there began to be some movement in the logjam of free agents who had yet to land a job.

First came word that Yu Darvish would be replacing Jake Arrieta in Chicago.  Then Andrew Cashner signed with Baltimore (who needs all the pitching help they can get) for 2 years and $16 million.  Then Jaime Garcia signed a one-year deal north of the border at the same annual rate -- $8 million.  Eduardo Nunez apparently has a deal in place pending a physical with the Red Sox.

Several stories arose about the Mets’ interest in Jason Vargas with his ties to Dave Eiland (and his left handedness).  He worked for what looked like a bargain price of $10 million last year based his All-Star worthy first half during which he pitched to a 12-3 record and a sparkling 2.62 ERA.  Considering he finished at 18-11 and 4.16 that was a pretty steep cliff over which he plummeted.  Considering his career ERA is 4.17, you got what you paid for – an innings eater with mediocre stuff who had a lot of luck on BABIP during his age 34 half-season.  The question is whether his second half disaster is indicative of an age-related decline or simply the law of averages catching up to him.  Assuming it’s the latter and he’s still got something in the tank, is that what the Mets need?  Yes, they could benefit from anyone healthy and at least league average in performance.  The front office would love to pick up someone without draft pick and international pool money attached to his selection.  However, is the best choice? (Reports surfaced on Friday it was a done deal for $15 million).

As much as I hate to admit it, he may represent one of the best of what’s left.  The roll of available starting pitchers has shrunk considerably and once you pass the three big names still on the board – Arrieta, Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb – the pickings are mighty slim.  You have some elder statesman like R.A. Dickey and John Lackey who might want one last hurrah.  It’s certainly within Sandy Alderson’s DNA to try to grab someone of that ilk on a short-term deal. (Remember what everyone thought when he signed Bartolo Colon?)

After that it’s mostly injury reclamation projects like Brett Anderson, Clay Buchholz and Chris Tillman or more mediocre innings eaters that would include Trevor Cahill, Scott Feldman, Matt Garza, Jeremy Hellickson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Ricky Nolasco, Mike Pelfrey (sorry, I just threw up in my mouth a little bit), and Anibal Sanchez. 

There’s been some speculation that when Jimenez was under Callaway’s tutelage in Cleveland he turned in his best-ever season with a 13-9 record, a 3.30 ERA and fanning well over 1 per inning.  For his career he owns a 4.34 ERA.  I’m wondering if a healthy but erratic Jimenez is a better bet than Vargas because when he’s good, he’s significantly better.  If a reunion with Callaway and new pitching coach Dave Eiland can help him rediscover his mojo, perhaps he could turn in another one of those five seasons in which he held his ERA well under 4.00?  He’s coming off a particularly disastrous season, so that should make the bean counters in the front office very happy as it will serve to depress his price considerably from the $13.5 million he was paid for his 6.81 ERA last year in Baltimore.

Of course, there is another approach they could take – one which did not serve them particularly well last year.  You could entrust one of Chris Flexen, Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo or Rafael Montero to be your extra starter if none of the above are to your liking.  Personally I’m not ready to give up on any of them (not even Montero).  I’d also throw Pitcher of the Year Corey Oswalt into the mix as well. 

However, if you can get some of the remaining crop of available free agents to ink minor league deals with invitations to big league camp it would serve two purposes.  First, you would see if under the tutelage of two pitching experts they can resurrect their careers.  Second, it may serve as a little incentive to the younger players (just like Adrian Gonzalez is to Dom Smith) to get their game up to the next level. 

So, if you’re the GM and have allegedly limited funds to spend, what pitcher (if any) would you pursue?