Tony Plate - The Mets Might Be Looking to Add a Starter

New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen might be looking to add a starter. The rumor is that he is talking to representatives of pitcher Gio Gonzalez who pitched for the Washington Nationals and the Milwaukee Brewers and had a 4.21 earned run average in 32 starts last season. In 2017 Gonzalez finished sixth in the National League Cy Young Award balloting. He has been successful at Citi Field, by pitching to a 1.75 ERA in his career. He is looking for a multi-year deal. Van Wagenen is looking for an upgrade over Jason Vargas at the backend of the rotation. 

Dallas Keuchel is the top free agent starting pitcher left on the market. If the Mets add another proven starter it would allow them to move Vargas to the bullpen which would provide rotation depth. 

The current starting pitching depth consists of Corey Oswalt and Hector Santiago. Vargas got off to a rough start and did not pitch that well during the first half of last season, but he improved during the second half by going 5-3 with a 3.81 earned run average in his final 11 starts. I think the starting rotation is fine the way it is and they will be ready for 2019, such as Zack Wheeler, who will have the incentive to pitch well since he will be pitching in a contract year.

Former Mets general manager Sandy Alderson who is feeling better with his health was hired by the Oakland Athletics as their senior advisor to baseball operations. The Athletics made three straight World Series appearances from 1988 through 1990 when Alderson was their general manager. 

Also, former Met relief pitcher Jerry Blevins signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics and is reunited with them. Blevins was a member of Oakland ‘s bullpen for seven seasons from 2007-13. He pitched in 64 games and had a 4.85 earned run average with a 3-2 record last year with the Mets.

Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bob Friend died on Sunday at his home in O’Hara Township, PA. He had died of a cardiac event in his sleep. He was 88. He had a record of 197-230 in 16 major league seasons. He was a four-time All-Star. In 1958 Friend finished third In the National League Cy Young voting and sixth on the Most Valuable Player ballot. 

Friend was traded to the New York Yankees before the 1966 season and had a 1-4 record. The Yankees sold him to the Mets in June. He went 5-8 for the Mets to wrap up his career.

In other sports news the New England Patriots showed everyone their dynasty is not over as they won their sixth Super Bowl 13-3 over the Los Angeles Rams. 

Bill Belichick created a great defensive plan to shut down the high-powered offense of the Rams. Julian Edelman was named MVP of the Super Bowl by catching 10 passes for 141 yards.