Marquis health concerns - sights on Pineiro...

According to Tracy Ringolsby a Fox Sports contributor the Mets were close to a three year deal with Jason Marquis but backed off due to health concerns. Not only is it the first time I've heard that the Mets were serious about Marquis but it's also the first time I heard of durability issues, in fact he was marketed as a workhorse. But I don't doubt Ringolsby's information, he is a Hall of Fame writer and works FSN Rocky Mountain covering the Rockies, Marquis last team.

Ringolsby goes on to say that the Mets are now focused on Joel Pineiro, unfortunately were back to the Ted Lilly/ Gil Meche contract days where these second tier pitchers are getting over paid. If Marquis got two years then Pineiro is almost certain to get two years.

There is nothing new here, I recall the Mets being interested in Pineiro in 2006 when he was approaching free agency while still a member of the Mariners.

In 2003 a 24 y/o Pineiro went 16-11 with a 3.78 ERA in 32 starts, which included two complete game shutouts. But for five more seasons between Seattle, Boston and St. Louis he struggled, never reaching double digits in wins and being demoted to the pen in his last year in Seattle while being used strictly out of the pen in Boston. Even in his first year in St. Louis he struggled going 7-7 with a 5.15 ERA in 25 starts.

Last year he seemed to put it altogether again making 32 starts and going 15-12 with a 3.49 ERA. Here's the thing, while he's the best pitcher left who isn't an injury risk, he's a ground ball pitcher which is a waste in Citi Field and the right side of our infield isn't very good. I get more upset when a routine ground ball gets through the infield then I do when a fly ball pitcher lets a bomb go out the yard. I'd rather see them take advantage of that big outfield by taking a one year deal on a mediocre fly ball pitcher that the park helps keep the ball in the yard, Doug Davis or Jon Garland type.

You can't underestimate the impact of pitching coach Dave Duncan on Pineiro, while he's always had the potential to put up the numbers he did last year, it was Duncan who was able to bring it out of him after a five year hiatus. I could see Pineiro having a very good year next season but over a two year contract I could also see him going into a steady decline as he forgot what he was taught by Duncan....

They were close to a three-year deal on right-handed pitcher Jason Marquis, but health concerns led them to rethink that pursuit and now the most likely target is Joel Pineiro. source Fox Sports