Of all the things the Mets need, the biggest is a No. 2 starter. The best one of those on the market is John Lackey.
If the Mets' signed Lackey, 31, they would go into nearly 40 percent of their games with the superior starter. Besides being a perfect complement to Johan Santana, he has a tough-attitude that would be a welcome change to what we have seen at Citi/Shea in recent years.
Plus, he may be more willing come to New York than others. A prominent agent told me that, "Given the reaction to Citi of the players I have, hitters, if given other options, aren't going to choose to go to Citi first." I pointed out that it could work out conversely with pitchers, which he agreed.
Lackey pitched to a less than four ERA in the AL last season, which probably means he could be around three in the NL. Meanwhile , the free agent power hitters the Matt Hollidays and Jason Bays are not difference-makers. They are very good, but they are not in the Pujols, A-Rod, Miguel Cabrera-league.
Lackey is the guy the Mets should get. He is a difference-maker.
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