Arn Tellem, the new agent for Hisanori Takahashi, indicated Thursday that the looming deadline the Mets face for completing negotiations with the Japanese left-hander may be extended.
When Takahashi signed in March, the Mets agreed to make him a free agent on Oct. 31 if an extension had not been worked out. However, if Takahashi were to be cut loose on Sunday per that agreement, he could not re-sign and appear in the majors for the Mets until May 15 — essentially meaning he would have to sign elsewhere.
Good. Given the Mets’ obvious need for pitching, it’s probably best they bring Takahashi back. Though I’m almost certain that versatility is an overrated quality in pitchers, the reputation for versatility is valuable — if the guy can actually pitch, not Jorge Sosa-style versatility. Takahashi would give the Mets a viable option for the back of the rotation or pretty much any assignment in the bullpen.
Obviously it comes down to the price tag, as always. But there don’t appear to many great free-agent options to eat up innings in 2011.
Tedquarters 
Ted, I’m curious what you mean about pitchers’ versatility being overrated. Is it that you suspect that any *good* pitcher could do his thing anywhere? It seems to me that at some some pitchers wouldn’t have the preparation skills necessary to make it work.
Yeah, that’s what I mean. I’m certain there are some guys who legitimately can’t get warm in the time a reliever has, but it seems like if you’re going to have any success as a starter, you’re certainly going to succeed in relief. I would guess there are certain good relievers who are, due to limited arsenals, ill-suited to starting, but few decent-to-good starters who would not also make good relievers.