Buster Olney of ESPN is reporting that the New York Mets have had discussions with the Cleveland Indians about acquiring starting pitcher Fausto Carmona.
What is attractive about Carmona is that when he's throwing strikes, he can be dominant -- and he is throwing a lot more strikes this year after struggling in 2008 and 2009.
What is scary about Carmona is what could be called the Oliver Perez factor: He has shown he is capable of veering completely off course, and you do wonder how pitching in the high pressure of New York would impact him.
Another factor for the Mets is that Carmona is under contract beyond this year, unlike Cliff Lee, Jake Westbrook or Ben Sheets, who are all eligible for free agency in the fall. Carmona is making $4.9 million this year and $6.1 million next year, and his contract contains $7 million and $9 million options for 2012 and 2013, respectively. If the Mets land Carmona and he responds well to New York, they could have a nice core of pitching intact for the next few years.
The Mets are getting terrific starting pitching from the guys behind Mike Pelfrey and Johan Santana right now. I think they understand, though, that it isn't likely to last forever. If they truly want to contend for a playoff spot in the National League another starting pitcher is probably a must.