The latest Mets free agent signing is more carpe diem than desperatis

Latin is a dead language and after four games, many will classify the New York Mets with the same description. Their 0-4 start is inexcusable with the payroll they have. Despite the lowered expectations, this team should have come away with at least one victory in their four home games.

Seeking some help, the team turned to free agent Julio Teheran for some help. Signed to a one-year major league deal worth $2.5 million, it’s a complicated addition because of the very slight pro-rated savings and luxury tax penalties. He’ll cost the team $5.08 million and for what exactly?

Harkening back to Latin for a moment, this could be seen as some “desperatis” or desperation. On the contrary, the Mets evoked a more commonly used Latin phrase of “carpe diem.” They seized the day by signing Teheran.

The Mets showed they aren’t complacent with their other pitching options with this signing

As many have noted, Jose Butto wouldn’t even be able to replace Tylor Megill’s spot in the rotation until April 12 with the doubleheader on April 4 including an exception with the added 27th man to the roster. In which case, with no days off until April 18, warm starting pitching bodies are a hot commodity for this ball club. 

Teheran’s unimpressive numbers last year with the Milwaukee Brewers won’t have anyone viewing this as much of an upgrade. He’s a rung or two below even Adrian Houser, the team’s originally projected fifth starter. 

What’s the positive? Teheran’s career success at Citi Field is the first. A career 2.97 ERA in 88 innings spanning 15 starts, it is partly a result of getting to go against some mediocre Mets clubs during the 2013 and 2014 seasons when Teheran had two of his better seasons.

Based on the knee jerk reaction to sign Teheran, we should expect a couple of things. One is for Megill to miss much more than the 15 days he’s currently required to sit out. The other is for guys such as Butto and Joey Lucchesi to remain as minor league depth only to be used in case of an injury.

Teheran was already on the Mets’ radar before he opted out of his deal with the Baltimore Orioles. The Mets, now having an available spot for him to immediately step in, were fast to act. What’s the worst that’ll happen?

David Stearns has preached the intentions of the Mets competing this year. To borrow one last Latin phrase, he did with some acta non verba.