Jon Niese

5 Starter: Competition 

Say hello to the candidates:

Maine (FA), Jon Niese, Bobby Parnell, Fernando Nieve (FA), Nelson Figueroa (FA), and Tim Redding (FA). 

The obvious choices are Maine or Niese, though I personally don't want anything to do with Maine anymore. Too erratic, also injury-prone like the aforementioned Bedard and Harden. Maine is wild like Ollie and Pelf, and I've had enough of these guys who can't find the strikezone. 

Continue reading "2010 Mets' Rotation"

our contestants on "Who Wants to Be the Mets Number Five Starter?!!"

Contestant #1-LHP-Jon Niese

If Redding gets rocked in his next start (which he probably will), Niese is the favorite to take his place in the rotation. Niese had a couple of starts in the bigs already this season -- one good, one bad -- and he's been an absolute disaster in AAA. In spite of his minor league failures, Niese is considered one of the better starting pitching prospects in the Mets organization, so they'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt. 

Continue reading "I've Had Enough of Tim Redding."

If Spring Training were currently underway, Jon Niese, Bobby Parnell, and Brandon Knight would be competing for that fifth and final opening. In my eyes, Maine, Redding, and mystery man No. 5 fail to represent the makings of a potential World Series caliber back of the rotation. There's undoubtedly room for improvement.

Continue reading "The New York Mets: Plenty of Question Marks Remain"

st dependable starters, will likely combine for eight starts down the stretch, with Pedro Martinez, Jon Niese and anyone's guess filling out the remaining five.  New York will need strong, deep outings from their big three, and lots of offense in the other five games in order to avoid leaving their playoff hopes in the hands of the bullpen.  Of course, a little help from Philadelphia's opponents couldn't hurt, but the Mets need to be able to take care of their own business.  If they can't win enough games on their own to hold their divisional lead, then they don't deserve to play baseball in October anyway.

Continue reading "Mets Cling To First Place With Lucky 13 Games Left"

have not made a move, and seem to be backing off of Raul Ibanez because the Mariners are demanding Jon Niese and another prospect.  Another relief pitcher who would be a good fit is Cincinnati's Jeremy Affeldt.  He is a lefty, but can pitch to righties as well, and has the stamina to go multiple innings.  It wouldn't make sense to trade a top prospect for him, but the Reds might be enticed by a package of two mid-level propects.

Continue reading "Heilman Holds Perez's Lead, Delgado Puts it Away"

p;  It has been reported that the Mets are unwilling to part with their top pitching prospect, Jon Niese, or or their prized outfield prospect, Fernando Martinez.  It is silly to announce these types of restrictions because there are always circumstances in which it makes sense to trade a top prospect.  How often do teams have realistic opportunities to go deep in the playoffs?  Not very.  Since 2000, 12 different teams have played in the World Series, and no team has repeated as World Champion in back-to-back years.  Only the Red Sox have won multiple titles in the last eight years, and they had a season in which they missed the playoffs in between.  The point is, if a team has a legitimate chance at winning a World Series, trading a prospect might be worthwhile.  Although it is prudent to try not to bankrupt the farm system for the future, teams should try to win one championship before they worry about creating dynasties.

Continue reading "Trade Market: Will The Mets Be Involved?"