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Mike O'Connor

Benjamin Grimm Nov 30 2010 06:30 PM

Anthony DiComo / MLB.com wrote: NEW YORK -- The Mets have re-signed left-handed pitcher Mike O'Connor to a Minor League contract and invited him to big league camp, the team announced on Tuesday. O'Connor, 30, struck out 70 batters and walked just 17 in 70 2/3 innings for Triple-A Buffalo last season, posting a 2.67 ERA. He appeared in the Major Leagues for the Nationals in 2006 as a starter and again two years later, predominantly as a reliever. The Mets originally signed him as a Minor League free agent last winter. Given the current flux of New York's bullpen, O'Connor has a strong chance to make the team out of camp. The departure of Hisanori Takahashi and the possible departure of Pedro Feliciano leaves the Mets with only two left-handed relievers on the 40-man roster: Oliver Perez and Pat Misch, neither of whom have experienced much recent success in the Majors. O'Connor, who has a career 3.90 ERA in the Minors, could become a cheap replacement for Takahashi and Feliciano in the bullpen.

Edgy DC Nov 30 2010 06:35 PM Re: Mike O'Connor

First contract under Sandy.

metirish Nov 30 2010 07:30 PM Re: Mike O'Connor

Mike to be sure will make an appearance against the Red Sox next St. Patrick's Day.

MFS62 Nov 30 2010 09:20 PM Re: Mike O'Connor

I listened to several Buffalo games last year in which he pitched more than one inning. I don't consider him just a LOOGY. Later

Edgy DC Nov 30 2010 10:31 PM Re: Mike O'Connor

Nonetheless, he is what they assign him to be. Nobody becomes a LOOGy because he doesn't have the stamina to exceed 1-3 batters. He becomes one because he matches up well against lefties at the big-league level and his manager keeps going back to those matchups. O'C. has only thrown 114 innings at the big league level, and has shown a modest --- maybe even typical --- split in that time. Situation BA OBP SLG OPS vs. RHB .253 .347 .453 .800 vs. LHB .241 .330 .402 .732 That's nothing to be ashamed of, but neither is it Felicianic. And presumably he didn't have the sort of spotting that Feliciano did where most of the batters he faced were of All-Star quality. It's too bad the lame duck administration didn't decide to call him up and give him a lookie in September, because if we're to believe the low expections Sandy Alderson is laying out for this offseason, he has to be a serious contender for the 2011 pen, if not to replace Feliciano. O'C. was another former Expo prospect brought into the systme by Omar.