Which Free Agent Pitcher Should The Mets Sign?

Let me borrow a technique from Rob Neyer.

Consider these still available free agents, with their 2007 ages and their 2006 regular season stats:

Pitcher A (RHP, 30 years old) 8-14, 5.76 ERA, 107 K's in 172 innings
Pitcher B (RHP 31 years old) 4-5, 4.82 ERA, 50 K's in 97 innings
Pitcher C (RHP 29 years old) 9-12, 5.03 ERA, 97 K's in 154 innings
Pitcher D (RHP 36 years old) 15-8, 4.97 ERA, 79 Ks in 164 innings

Pretty much a no-brainer to try and sign Pitcher D, huh? Problem his, Pitcher D is one Stephen Christopher Trachsel. Of course, there's hardly a chance of the Mets re-signing him. And can you believe with the contracts handed out to pitchers this offseason that we haven't heard a rumor of him signing anywhere?

Now, I'm not advocating re-signing Trachsel. But, if we don't think much of Trachsel, why should the Mets sign any of the other guys. If they are worse than the guy they'd replace, then why bother? I've got a lot more faith in Perez, Maine, Pelfrey or Humber than:

Jeff Weaver (RHP, 30 years old) 8-14, 5.76 ERA, 107 K's in 172 innings
Tomo Ohka (RHP 31 years old) 4-5, 4.82 ERA, 50 K's in 97 innings
Tony Armas (RHP 29 years old) 9-12, 5.03 ERA, 97 K's in 154 innings
Steve Trachsel (RHP 36 years old) 15-8, 4.97 ERA, 79 Ks in 164 innings