Is Garcia in a New York State of Mind?

FOX Sports, Ken Rosenthal is reporting, the Mets and Yankees have emerged as the leading contenders for free-agent right-hander Freddy Garcia, according to a major-league source.

It's my hope that the report of a minor league contract is correct. In no way should Garcia be given a job in the starting rotation or major league roster, without first proving himself in spring training. According to Rosenthal, Garcia would prefer a major-league contract, which would guarantee him termination pay if he were released in March, but might need to accept a minor-league deal.

I would prefer to see Omar go out and get Sheets or Ollie, in that order. Then and only then, I believe based on Garcia's past performance, he would make for an admirable insurance policy for the back end of the rotation. In short, bring on an incentive laden, minor league contract.

Career Stats:

• 118 Wins vs. 77 Loses; that's a healthy 41 games over .500.
• .407 ERA; not bad considering his tenure in the American League
• Starting pitcher in the championship clinching game four of the 2005 World Series. Garcia went a sparkling seven innings, allowing no earned runs.