Piniero For 2/15...Where Do We Sign?

Written by Matt Ryan | 12 January 2010

Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse believes the Mets are actively pursuing Joel Piniero, and talking about a contract in the neighborhood of 2 years, $15 million.  If this report is accurate, this deal needs to get done now.  I've maintained all offseason that Pineiro is the most feasible option for the Mets, and that contract would be a major bargain.  And with just two years guaranteed, it is extremely low risk.  There are several reasons why I really like Pineiro.

• He throws strikes (just 27 walks in 214 innings last year)
• He's only 30 years old
• Produced the highest ground ball % in baseball last year (a ridiculous 60.5%)
  
• Career record over .500 (87-79)
• For the most part, he eats innings and can pitch late into games
• Career stats vs. the Phillies: 2-0, 1.78 ERA in 25 innings

Of course, there are plenty of question marks surrounding Pineiro.  Was last season a fluke?  Will he be successful without Dave Duncan?  These are certainly valid questions.  But I think the main reason Pineiro was so good last year was the introduction of a sinker.  And as much as Dave Duncan deserves the credit for this, is Pineiro going to suddenly forget how to throw a sinker?  I think Dan Warthen is more than capable of reinforcing that pitch.

In short, as much as Pineiro's career has been a rollercoaster ride, I think he would be a relatively safe option at that price.  Even if he flames out, this contract wouldn't cripple the Mets.  So if he could be had at such a bargain, I think the Mets need to jump all over it.  For the record, Pineiro's 2009 season was worth $21.5 million according to Fangraphs.