Dillon Gee is starting Opening Day and that should be a bad sign for Mets' fans.
Gee, who went 12-11, with a 3.62 ERA in 2013 for the Mets, will start against the Washington Nationals on March 31. Starting for the Nationals will be former All-Star and current ace Stephen Strasburg.
"It's a big honor, obviously, for them to trust me with that day and give that to me," Gee told reporters. "I'm very thankful for that opportunity."
Gee, 27, has played four seasons in the Major Leagues (all with the Mets). The right-hander has a lifetime 33-26 record, with a 3.89 ERA in 84 Major League games (81 starts). He's had a good spring training, posting a 1.69 ERA in 10.2 innings. Gee hasn't walked a batter thus far in spring training. Jon Niese, who received a cortisone shot on Monday to deal with inflammation in his left elbow, was originally going to start on Opening Day. Instead the left-hander has been placed on the DL.
Niese is another good (not great) Mets' pitcher when healthy. The 27-year old is 43-40 lifetime, with a 3.99 ERA in six Major League seasons. Niese is arguably a good number three starter in any rotation, including the Mets. So my question is why were the Mets' planning to start Niese on opening day? Then when he became injured, why would the Mets turn to Gee?
Gee is the Mets' fourth best starter in the rotation, behind Bartolo Colon, Zack Wheeler and Jon Niese. Why are the Mets giving their Opening Day start, a game against the division rival no less, to their fourth best pitcher? It should come as no surprise because the Mets' organization is known for their stupidity.
Owner Fred Wilpon misled fans about the team's payroll, proclaiming in the past they would be spending more money. Signing Curtis Granderson, an aging outfielder who collects more strikeouts than hits, and Bartolo Colon, a good, but old (40) pitcher does not qualify as spending money effectively. General manager Sandy Alderson said a few weeks prior that he expects his team to win 90 games this season. Either Alderson is highly confident, crazy or a mixture of the two.
Colon, who went 18-6, with a 2.65 ERA with the Athletics last season, is a much better option to start Opening Day. He has the experience, having pitched in the Major Leagues for 16 seasons. Colon is also a strike throwing machine, something Mets' fans should be excited about entering the 2014 season.
Wheeler, 24, had a great rookie season. He went 7-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 17 starts for the Mets. In four spring training starts, the young right-hander has a 1.69 ERA in 16.0 innings. His youthful experience and great passion and skill on the mound makes him a better choice than Gee or Niese to start Opening Day.
If the Mets intend on competing in 2014, then they need to get off on the right foot. Having the team's fourth best starting pitcher throw on Opening Day should be a signal to the fans. The Mets are not going anywhere in 2014. It's more likely the team will lose 90 games instead of winning 90 games this season.
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