First things first, Mets fans: There is no reason to panic. The Mets continue to negotiate with both Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez, seemingly to ensure they get one of them.
Anyway, Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Mets are on the verge of signing free agent pitcher Tim Redding to a one-year, $2.25 million contract today. Redding posted a 4.95 ERA last year for the Nationals, compiling a 10-11 record.
As a fifth starter on a good team, though, I like Redding for the Mets. He was pretty good in 2007, and had a solid start in 2008. For his first 20 starts, Redding went 7-3 with a 3.85 ERA in 114 2/3 innings. He fell apart in the second half, with dreadful numbers across the board.
Still, he's got the ability to hold down the final spot in a formidable rotation, and now he'll actually play for a good team. I know there are some people out there who don't like to acknowledge the human element in baseball, but playing for such a bad team can take its toll on someone.
Being in the pennant race will sometimes inject life into someone. While you can't make a terrible player a good one, Redding's shown on a few different occasions that he has the stuff to be a serviceable starter in the major leagues.
This is a good signing, as long as the Mets don't slot him any higher than fifth in their rotation.
Tim Redding to Sign With the Mets Soon originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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