that Pedro was fragile and the last two years on his contract were problematic. I like the young arms in our organization and confident Omar can bring one established starters in.

Also, baseball has changed as you can tell from this year. A good bullpen is now more important than starting pitching and the Mets have a great bullpen

A good bullpen is now more important than starting pitching

I think the key is balance. Ideally you want a solid starting rotation, bullpen, offense and defense. We've had a superlative bullpen this year, which has helped make up for our starting rotation problems. That doesn't mean a good bullpen is more important than starting pitching. I'm not saying a team doesn't need a good bullpen; it does. We've seen lots of teams with very good starting pitching (Marlins, Reds) but with ineffective bullpens.

for a strong, successful recovery. Personally, I wish they had put Pedro on the DL immediately when he hurt his hip and never messed around with his mechanics to try to compensate for the hip. Who knows what damage that compensating might have done. Well, too late now.

Anyway, I feel really bad for Pedro that he can't pitch in this post-season.

As for the future, a healthy Pedro will continue to be a dominant force for the Mets.

For now, though, I hope he takes it easy, and I hope he enjoys watching his teammates win a world championship.

Anyone know of pitchers that have undergone this surgery at a similar age and come back strong (or not)?

Sportsline has this blurb, which sounds hopeful but I think it might be wishful thinking:

Pedro Martinez, SP NYM

News: The Mets will be missing ace Pedro Martinez for more than just the postseason. The Mets right-hander will have rotator cuff surgery next week and be out eight months. The injury is expected to sideline him until at least June. Martinez, who turns 35 this month, was already out for the playoffs because of a torn tendon in his left calf. The Mets won the NL East and start the playoffs next week at home.

Analysis: The Mets have the luxury of being patient and this could wind up be good news for his long-term keeper Fantasy owners. Pedro had been working in the mid-80s all season and perhaps surgery will get him back to throwing in the 90s again. He still had wicked movement and clearly knows how to pitch, so he should be a solid injury-risk sleeper for the season half of 2007. The rotator cuff surgery will allow his chronic calf and toe problems to heal, too. The injuries might all be related to overcompensation for the other ailments.