Freddy Garcia 2009

The Mets recently signed Freddy Garcia to a minor league contract, with large incentives built in based on how much time he spends in their major league rotation. This seems like a good move. Garcia was a pretty good pitcher before losing more than a year to injury, and his return late last season was moderately successful as he struck out 12 batters and walked 6 in 15 innings in the Major Leagues. Certainly not enough sample size to know that he's going to be as good as pre-surgery, but not bad at all. Pitching in the National League in what I expect to be a terrific pitchers' park, Garcia will have a good chance to be successful if he wins a spot in the Mets' starting rotation in 2009.