Mets may be closing in on RHP Redding | www.metscitiblog.com

More at: www.metscitiblog.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------Several reports are now surfacing that the Mets are definately the front runners for the services of RHP Tim Redding. Andrew Marchand of ESPN radio says that although nothing in official, the deal could be finalized as early as today. Redding would slide into the fifth spot and be competing against youngster Jon Niese. The deal is rumored to be a little under $4 million for one year. While people keep saying that Redding would be competing for the fifth spot, he would have the job obviously. If for no other reason than he is being paid $3-$4 million and Niese is getting pocket change. If the beginning of the season doesn't go well, Niese then would slide in and the Mets are not out too much from giving Redding a shot. It would seem that if this deal does go through, it would spell the end of Pedro Martinez's time in New York. Minaya does have a meeting scheduled for next week with Pedro and his agent Fern Cruz, but with Redding on board where does he go? Santana, Lowe or Perez, Pelfrey, Maine, Redding sounds pretty solid to me. Add in the revamped bullpen and you have about all you can ask for on paper, except for another lefty in the pen I guess. If Redding does indeed end up in Queens, I love this for our fifth spot. Let Niese get some good innings in at the triple A level and have him in the wings for 2010 season unless you need him because of injury. Redding is certainly not a number 2 or 3 starter, but for a 5, he looks competent.

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January 9, 2009 06:46 PM ET

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The only question, though, is WHICH Tim Redding you'd be getting. It was that inconsistence (sic) with the Nats that got him dropped after the season.