Tier 2 visa general vs intracompany transfer

[Corto]

Dear all,

I would kindly ask for information please.
My employer in UK is willing to hire and sponsor me. I meet all requirements stated by Home office.
He left me to suggest the best possible visa route option i.e. Tier 2 visa general and intra-company transfer
There are pros and cons for both options. If you were in my shoes, which one you would follow?

about me...I am intermediate mechanical engineer , married and have a child, currently working for different employer who does not have office in UK. I have been offered 36k. For Tier 2 general, I cannot find any information on how many visas are available for this year. For the last year, only around 20,700 visas have been issued. This is something that worries me as how I can now that I will be granted a visa.
In contrast, for Tier 2 intra-company transfer route, there are no limits imposed on the number of visa to be issued. The thing is that I will have to work for 1 year for firm's branch office outside UK to be eligible to apply for Long-term Staff option (if you earn less than £155,300 per year) and have my visa valid for 5 years, 1 month. If I am employed less than a year, I could only stay for max of 6 moths under skill transfer.

Please advise. Thanks muchly. Cheers