The Mets Sign Jonathon Niese to 5-year Deal
Mets ownership may be in dire straits financially, but that didn’t stop them from locking up homegrown pitcher Jonathon Niese.
Niese, who is only 25 years old, agreed to a 5 year $25 million deal with the club. The deal includes two team options that could reportedly raise the value of the deal to $46 million.
Niese went 11-11 last year, in his second full season in the majors, with a 4.40 ERA. A finesse pitcher with a fantastic curveball, Niese slots in behind Johan Santana as the Mets #2 starter, although he would likely be a 3rd or strong 4th starter on a contending club. The Mets 2012 starting rotation will round itself out with knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, Dillion Gee and Mike Pelfrey.