The Mets Sign Soler

The Mets quietly signed Cuban defector Alain Soler last night.

His defection from Cuba last November didn't get the attention like those by Jose Contreras or El Duque Hernandez, but some baseball people think he is good enough to step into the Mets' rotation in a month or so and make an impact in a pennant race.

He throws a fastball around 93 to 96 mph and a splitter 88-89mph with a plus changeup. He is only 24 and has plenty of tools for Rick Peterson to work with. Duquette continues to impress me with this shrewd moves.