New York Mets manager Terry Collins implied Friday that Shaun Marcum's spot in the team's starting rotation might be in danger, saying he'll evaluate rotation members based on performance -- not salary -- according to SNY.tv's MetsBlog.
The comments came after Marcum allowed six earned runs over 5⅔ innings to the Chicago Cubs on Friday.
"When it comes down to the time to make the decision, certainly I’m not sure salary is going to have anything to do with it," Collins said. "I think we’re going to take the five guys that we need to make sure are the best five to go out there."
Marcum, 31, signed a one-year deal worth $4 million with New York in the offseason and he could earn an additional $4 million if he meets thresholds for innings pitched and days on the roster without injury to his arm. The latter incentive was put in because Marcum has had significant injury issues in the past -- including Tommy John surgery in 2008 -- and he missed the first month of 2013 with neck pain.
Since returning from that season-opening injury, Marcum has not pitched particularly well as he has a 5.43 ERA with just three quality starts over 10 games -- two of which were relief appearances. Marcum had perhaps his best performance of the season on June 8, throwing eight innings of one-run ball, though that one run proved to be the game-winning run in a 20-inning marathon loss to the Marlins.
The Mets currently have top prospect Zack Wheeler slated to join the rotation on June 18, meaning a decision on Marcum could come soon.
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