The Next Pitching Candidate?

The Washington Nationals released RHP Shawn Hill . Hill, 6'2” 185 lbs, was 1-5 in 12 games in 2008.

Hill has a career mark of 7-15 in 37 games – all starts, for a lifetime winning percentage of 31.8%.

The twist is, Omar drafted Hill back in 2000, and the Washington Post is curious if the Mets might be a landing point for hill, who could possibly compete with Livan Hernandez, the apparent front runner for the #5 starter for the Mets, for the #5 starting pitcher.

Manny Acta, Washington's manager said this of Hill after his release, "Well, there is more to the Nationals than me. The people upstairs felt this was a decision we had to make."

Jason Bergmann's thoughts on Hill, "Shawn, certainly when he's healthy, is one of the best pitchers I've ever seen. He's got tremendous stuff, and he's got a great work ethic, too. It's not easy to come back and battle those injuries like he did, and continually battle back. He's still got what it takes to be a major league pitcher. And I think through the years this battle has had such a wear and tear on him personally. You guys have come in here and asked the same questions for, what, three years? And we wish him the best. He's been a great teammate... and a good friend for a lot of people around here."

The Mets have spent three seasons signing sub-par pitchers to Minor League deals, and most have not worked out. I am no fan of Livan Hernandez, and have never been. That being said, he has earned the right to be the #5 starter for the Mets. It was Freddy Garcia's to lose, and Freddy has lost. Niese will benefit with another year in AAA.

Granted, this article only mentions the relationship between Omar and the Expos/Nationals, but Omar has to realize that there is a reason this team has been in the cellar for the majority of it's history...they aren't good.