The Mets have a starting rotation

With Pedro Martinez out probably until August, there was a tough competition for the last slot in the pitching rotation. In the offseason, Mets GM Omar Minaya brought in pitchers to compete with the young pitchers in the Mets minor league system.

Minaya brought in Aaron Sele, Jorge Sosa, and Chan Ho Park to name a few to compete with highly touted prospects Philip Humber and Mike Pelfrey. Poor outings in the starting roles quickly weeded out Sosa and Sele. The inexperience of Philip Humber, set back a year because of Tommy John surgery, showed up in his outings and resulted in him getting sent down to the minors. Leaving Mike Pelfrey and Chan Ho Park left for the fifth spot.

Mike Pelfrey over the spring has posted: 14 IP, 1.29 ERA, 2 ER, 17 H, 1 BB, 3 K
Chan Ho Park over the spring has posted: 12-1/3 IP, 6.57 ERA, 9 ER, 14 H, 7 BB, 15 K

Pelfrey has performed better and it appears Willie Randolph has noticed this as well. Park pitched today against the Orioles and was surprisingly pulled after 3 perfect innings, much to the chagrin of Park. He was informed later on that he will be pitching again in a few days to see how he performs if he was to come out of the bullpen. That might be the clue that Pelfrey has won the 5th spot.

Mets projected rotation at the beginning of the season: Glavine, Hernandez, Maine, Perez, Pelfrey. Park could be an asset in case one of the starters happens to get hurt during the season. Keeping him on the pitching staff adds extra depth to the Mets rotation. Orlando Hernandez has had a few injuries that have hampered him this spring. Park, who has known to be a quality starter at times in his career, will be a good insurance policy.