Any Met fan who watched the final game of the 2007 season would probably sooner wish for a swift kick to the groin than the return of Tom Glavine to Amazins, but the truth is the Mets have a need for a fifth starter. Glavine would be a cheap flyer who couldn't really be any worse than Tim Redding, and Oliver Perez seems to have completely disappeared from the radar screen.
All that said, it seems like an unlikely solution to the Mets' problem. A relatively low-risk baseball move would be a very high-risk public relations move. If Glavine started and pitched poorly, the rain of negativity would be overwhelming and that's not worth the admittedly slim chance that Glavine's got enough left in the tank to make a difference in the long run. David Lennon of Newsday reports that the Mets aren't interested, which is probably for the best.
That doesn't mean that Glavine's release and a day of big changes in Atlanta aren't worthy of a reaction from the Mets. The Braves sit only two-and-a-half games back and improved their lineup and rotation with transactions on Wednesday. Trading for Nate McLouth of Pittsburgh gives their underpowered offense a serious boost, and the promotion of heralded starter Tommy Hanson should improve what's already a terrific starting rotation.
The Mets have done a laudable job of scuffling through injuries and some ineffective pitchers, but they can only keep their fingers in so many holes before the dam bursts. The Braves have signaled their intent to make a serious play, and the Phillies will almost certainly deal for a starting pitcher which means the Mets can't really afford to just stand pat and hope that everything works out in the end.
Glavine isn't the move the team should make, but his arrival on the open market should be taken as a sign that one needs to be made in the indeterminate future.
Josh Alper is a writer living in New York City and is a contributor to FanHouse.com and ProFootballTalk.com in addition to his duties for NBCNewYork.com.
