It’s That Time Of Year Again, Kids

You might recall that I wrote a little reaction to the Mets possibly signing Daisuke Matsuzaka back before spring training started. Turns out there was nothing to worry about because he signed with Cleveland instead, reuniting him with Terry Francona. Thing is … he never actually pitched in a major league game with Francona in Cleveland, instead being relegated to duty with the Columbus Clippers, where he went 5-8 with a 3.92 ERA in 19 starts and had 95 K's and 39 walks in 103 and a third innings. Now these being AAA stats, take them for what they're worth.

Matsuzaka, wanting a return to the majors, requested his release and got it a couple of days ago, perhaps because he realized that this was the time of year that the Mets are typically looking for warm bodies to get them through the year and that this was his chance to get back into the majors. Well, the man the masses call "Dice-K" was right, as the Mets came calling and have signed the former phenom righty to help fill a void created by injuries to Jeremy Hefner and Jenrry Mejia, and help keep Carlos Torres in the bullpen where he belongs.

While I still stick to what I said in January, that was when the Mets still had a little something at stake. Now? Well just like the last few seasons (down the stretch especially) the Mets are only interested in having enough troops to make sure they're not limping into the off-season. In other words, Daisuke is a seat filler at the Oscars. Nothing more. So I'm not going to complain about this. His greatest contribution to the Mets will be to make sure that Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler don't develop arm injuries in the next few seasons by making sure their arms don't fall off in the next few seasons. (Let's face it, that's a pretty major contribution to make if this team is going to make any noise next season.) And if Matsuzaka pitches well enough for the Mets to get another opportunity somewhere else next season? Well good for him. But now? The Mets are once again in survival mode. Signing Matsuzaka in itself isn't so depressing. What is depressing is seeing this team, once again, making seat filler acquisitions to just survive the season rather than make late season acquisitions to help them get to the playoffs. I sure hope next season is the season this trend changes.

(Update: The guy who couldn't crack the Indians major league roster all season is now officially going to be the starter for the first game he spends on the Mets. Day one. Third Eye Blind might not play until one in the morning. Pack a lunch … or a second dinner.)