Takahashi clouds Mets 5th starter choice

With the Mets close on a deal with Japanese lefty Hisanori Takahashi, their fifth starter slot becomes a bit more complicated. Previously, the Mets had youngster Johnathon Niese and journeyman Fernando Nieve fighting for the final rotation spot. Now Takahashi makes three.

Fantasy Impact: It would appear Niese will get a long look this spring. He suffered a torn hamstring in just his 5th major league start last season but posted a 3.82 ERA and strikeout ratio of 7.8/9 innings in Triple-A at age 22. An injury also ended Nieve's solid 2009 season, where he was 3-3 with a 2.95 ERA. Pedestrian walk and strikeout numbers at both the MLB and minor league levels, however, make him less of an interest than Niese in fantasy play should he win the job this spring.

The New York Times reports Takahashi's numbers as both good and less-good over his career in Japan's Central League, but his makeup is not all that impressive.

He is listed at 5 feet 10 inches and 172 pounds and is said to throw 86 to 90 miles an hour. He has five pitches, all of which he uses at various points in the count to keep hitters off balance, and he does not shy away from challenging hitters.

Soon to be 35, Takahashi signed just a $1M contract that is incentive-laden, which means the Mets are not necessarily expecting to find him in their rotation.

We'll lean on Niese as the likeliest starter of the three, placing our bet on Takahashi to have the upper hand on the spot if the Mets want more of a veteran in the role come opening day. Nieve looks destined for middle relief.