Do you miss Mike Pelfrey yet?

After two less-than stellar outings by Chris Schwinden, the Mets are looking more and more vulnerable and are now amidst a three-game losing streak after being swept in Houston by the Astros.

Of course, Schwinden didn’t pitch in every game and is not at most fault, but his two starts have been a major buzzkill. So far in two starts, Schwinden has only pitched eight innings and has allowed 11 runs on 13 hits and three walks.

So is this what you envisioned when Pelfrey was lost for the season? Like I said last week, you probably don’t how much you miss something until it’s gone.

The options to help the Mets staff in the minors is barren.

We have been through this already.

The consensus is that the Mets top two prized prospects in Buffalo (Matt Harvey and Jeurys Familia) are just not ready for primetime just yet. Both Harvey and Familia need more seasoning and calling them up at this juncture could be detrimental to their growth.

After that we are talking about Garrett Olson and Jeremy Hefner. Is that enough to get you excited or make you confident that either can replace Pelfrey effectively?

Of course, there is Chris Young who was signed late in the spring for depth. However, Young is in the initial stages of his rehab (currently pitching in simulated games) and is likely at least a month away from contributing. And can we depend on Young to give the Mets the kind of innings Pelfrey did?

What was once was a feel-good story for the Mets could head south soon if the Mets don’t bolster their already thin rotation. After gaining two of three against the Rockies (especially in the fashion they lost the opener) and being 13-9, only to return home 13-12 with a staff complete with a major hole in it is a bit disparaging.

The Mets have proven over the first month they are not a bad team. At least not as bad as some pundits and prognosticators made them out to be.

With that said, the Mets could make push and it’s not a bad idea to scour the pitching market for some help. Sandy Alderson has already stated that, if need be, the Mets would be willing to take on some salary and look to bolster the staff in a mid-season trade.

I don’t know for sure who is available out there, but there has got to be better options than Schwinden. Heck maybe the man who was opposing Schwinden on Wednesday-Wandy Rodriguez-could be had at the right price.

Do they dare make a play for Roy Oswalt?

That’s not likely, so a trade may be the best avenue to explore.

Where a trade becomes tricky is who opposing general managers may want in return when discussing deals with the Mets.

Who is off limits?

I surmise that Mets’ brass will be hard-pressed to give up on their stable of young pitchers in Harvey, Familia, Zack Wheeler and perhaps Jenrry Mejia. The Mets have a decent amount of talent in the minors, which has proven to be vastly underrated, and many players could become valuable trade assets.

As it is, the Mets need to upgrade the rotation as the absence of Pelfrey is starting to reveal some of the shortcomings of this staff. A trade may be the only means to make up for this loss. At the very least, it’s worth exploring.

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5 comments on “Amid Schwinden’s problems, when do the Mets seek outside relief for rotation?

  • Brian Joura

    If the Mets aren’t going to include one of their top pitching prospects in a deal, they’re not likely to get anyone worthwhile without having to take on a bunch of salary in the trade. Are they ready to do that?

    My guess is we see Jeremy Hefner before the end of the month.

  • Mike Koehler

    I don’t agree with your disinterest in spending money on a free agent. If the player actually helps the team and the contract makes sense, I think signing a pitcher makes a lot more sense than giving up talent. By the same token, I’d only do a trade that made sense, e.g. no Familia for Wandy deals.

    That said, what’s wrong with rewarding Hefner or some of the young guys? If they’ve succeeded in the past, and we’re not looking to run away with the division crown at the moment, why not give them a shot?

    Oh, and if Schwinden is going to be a one-trick pony (fastball), can we move him to the ML bullpen and cut either Batista or Acosta?

  • Metsense

    There have been 94 starters in the NL so far, Schwinden is #93. Before anyone laughs at me because I wanted him on the roster over Batista remember that Miguel is #94. (based on starter ERA). So Hefner looks like the next guinea pig. Hey, the Met front office apparently didn’t think the Mets would play like this or they would have picked up some insurance over the winter. I’m always looking to improve the team via trade and Murphy would be something worthwhile to offer (they have Turner, Valdespin and Havens in the wings) but could you get a good enough pitcher back? Probably not. Duda or Davis? Not ready to touch that one yet. Let’s step back off the ledge, after all it was only 3 games to the Astros, and see what Heffner or Schwinden can do in May.

  • jerseymet

    I am stunned that Oswalt choose to sit out this long. Surly some team offered him a contract. A player’s life span is limited. The Mets would be a perfect showcase for him. Perhaps the Mets could even put in an opt out clause in his contract.

  • Chris

    Miss Pelf? No. Things are not that different in my eyes.
    However, the situation does identify how thin things are in Flushing. Ive been harping on pitching since last season. The rotation is shaky, and the pen was and still is a mess. That much is plainly obvious. I hope the Mets do ok, but reality dictates the situation requires the highest of attention from Sandy.

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