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Rest of the Bullpen - 2006

Centerfield Nov 28 2005 04:43 PM

With Wagner in place, I have these guys making up the remainder of the pen: Heilman Shades Takatsu Zambrano (technically) Bell Hamulack We need a LOOGY, and it would be nice to have an 8th inning guy leading to Wagner in the ninth, but if we went to war today, I could live with this. Do we bring back Looper? How about Bert? Is this the season age catches up to him?

Yancy Street Gang Nov 28 2005 04:45 PM

Is Royce Ring still in the picture? Is Bartolome Fortunato still Mets property?

sharpie Nov 28 2005 04:45 PM

I'm down with the Bring Back Bert campaign.

Centerfield Nov 28 2005 04:46 PM

Sorry. I was going with the guys from the 25-Man thread. Fortunado, along with Yates, are due back from injury I believe. I have no idea what the deal with Royce Ring is.

Elster88 Nov 28 2005 04:46 PM

I appreciate Bert's performance last year. Let's leave him alone and let lightning strike him for the second time somewhere else.

Valadius Nov 28 2005 04:46 PM

Fortunato's still around. And Ring's still here. Some of these guys will probably be traded. At least one of them will be.

seawolf17 Nov 28 2005 04:50 PM

Thank you, Elster. I thought I was the only person who was very much in the anti-Bert camp.

Valadius Nov 28 2005 05:00 PM

I wouldn't mind seeing Berto back, but I wouldn't be crestfallen if he goes somewhere else.

Edgy DC Nov 28 2005 05:26 PM

]Heilman Shades Takatsu Zambrano (technically) Bell Hamulack Ishii is still technically in the picture also. I farmed out the Ham.

duan Nov 28 2005 05:42 PM

i was one of the bert naysayers but unless he's looking for silly money I think he did enough for the Mets to be worth another whirl. 1.5 guaranteed up to 2.5 in incentives?

smg58 Nov 28 2005 08:58 PM

Bert made less than a million last year. I'd offer $1M to bring him back, but no more than that, and for one year only. Oh crap, we still have Takatsu. If he makes the roster, it had better be because he had a surprisingly good spring. With Eyre gone, I don't know if there are any LOOGY's on the market or the block, in which case Ring and/or Hamulack had better step up. I'd like to see a fair competition for the last two spots, with a number of guys already in the organization capable of filling those roles.

DocTee Nov 28 2005 09:32 PM

It's taken me months to ask this, but try as I might I can't figure it out: What the hell's a LOOGY?

TheOldMole Nov 28 2005 09:38 PM

]I farmed out the Ham To the Nippon Ham Fighters?

Edgy DC Nov 28 2005 10:32 PM

Don't be so shy about asking about goofy-assed Crane Pool acronyms. LOOGy = Lefthanded One-Out Guy

DocTee Nov 28 2005 10:34 PM

I was close: Lefty Only One (and then) Gone

Rotblatt Dec 01 2005 09:28 AM

Here's a quote from the Times that warmed my heart: ]The search for a setup man for Wagner should be somewhat easier. The Mets may already have him. Minaya said yesterday that he was elated with the emergence of Aaron Heilman and indicated that he became less tradable once Wagner signed. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/30/sports/baseball/30mets.html?pagewanted=all

Elster88 Dec 01 2005 01:00 PM

Minaya's elation with Heilman, now that Wagner is here, may be "Great, we have Wagner to close, so Heilman can go back to the rotation." Of course, the line directly preceding that makes it seem like Omar thinks Heilman will be a setup guy. I've been clamoring for a response from Healey for a while but I think he hasn't been around recently, but this is just another example of how a writer can be pulling ideas out of a certain orifice without risking his career, his reputation, or death and dismemberment. He is taking Omar's words and making it seem like Omar is saying Heilman will be a setup guy, when in fact his elation over having Heilman AND Wagner may have nothing to do with the setup role.

Johnny Dickshot Dec 13 2005 07:29 AM

Daily Snooze, 12/13: AMAZIN' DESIRE: Antonio Alfonseca would like to fill the void created by the loss of Hernandez in the Mets' bullpen. "Antonio loves the direction they're going in and they're one of the teams he asked me to contact. I hope in the near future I speak to Omar Minaya about that," agent Juan Iglesias said. The 33-year-old righthander went 1-1 with a 4.94 ERA for the Marlins last season. He appeared in only 33 games because of a stress fracture in his pitching elbow that sidelined him for three months, but Iglesias said the injury has "healed perfectly."

seawolf17 Dec 13 2005 08:24 AM

Yes! Sign Jimmy Six Fingers! One of my favorite pitchers.

metirish Dec 13 2005 08:28 AM

I'm surprised he's only 33, sign him now Omar.

Edgy DC Dec 13 2005 08:47 AM

What part of 4.94 ERA says "now"?

metirish Dec 13 2005 09:15 AM

That ERA was in 33 games, in 04 in 79 games he had a 2.57 ERA, of course in 03 pitching in 60 games he had a 5.83 ERA, I think he'd be a good addition.

Elster88 Dec 13 2005 09:17 AM

I'm not following your logic, Irish. This: metirish wrote: That [4.94] ERA was in 33 games, in 04 in 79 games he had a 2.57 ERA, of course in 03 pitching in 60 games he had a 5.83 ERA does not seem to go with this: metirish wrote: I think he'd be a good addition.

metirish Dec 13 2005 09:20 AM

Well he's some what proven and I'm confident Peterson would help him.

sharpie Dec 13 2005 09:33 AM

I dunno. Whenever I've seen him in recent years he's been way hittable.

Johnny Dickshot Dec 13 2005 09:42 AM

He's a body-type dead ringer for Benitez. But I'm kinda intrigued rooting for a team with a full "freak show" complement: Oldest Player, 6-finger guy... maybe we can bring Jim Abbott out of retirement.

sharpie Dec 13 2005 09:43 AM

We'll need a midget.

seawolf17 Dec 13 2005 09:43 AM

For the record, I just want to sign him to see him set the club record for Most Career Fingers.

Frayed Knot Dec 13 2005 09:49 AM

"Whenever I've seen him in recent years he's been way hittable" And whenever I've seen him in recent years he's been at weigh stations, apparently exceeding most highway regulations. Bob Costas still had the best line when he referred to Alfonseca as a pitcher who's been "digitally enhanced". I'm not sure he's be a lot better than any random guy off the farm.

Edgy DC Dec 13 2005 10:03 AM

About whom was it said in the Freak Injury Thread: "That's not a freak injury; that's an injury to a freak"?

Rotblatt Dec 13 2005 10:25 AM

I dunno. I think he'd be okay as a ROOGY, but I'd worry that Willie would decide to use him in the eighth instead of Heilman because he "has experience." I'm all for idiot-proofing our bullpen & rotation as much as possible--no former closers unless they're as good as Heilman was last year.

Elster88 Dec 13 2005 10:27 AM

Rotblatt wrote: I'm all for idiot-proofing our bullpen & rotation as much as possible--no former closers unless they're as good as Heilman was last year. You mean "Willie-proofing"? [/cheap shot at Willie]

Rockin' Doc Dec 13 2005 07:37 PM

I think the Mets would be best to pass on Alfonseca. The extra money he would cost the team in after game spreads could be better put to use in my opiniion.

Rotblatt Dec 14 2005 09:37 AM

We're apparently also interesed in Tavarez. A good idea, I think, but he's reportedly asking for four years, which is way too much.

Yancy Street Gang Dec 14 2005 09:38 AM

Would a six-fingered pitcher be twice as good as Mordecai Brown?

Vic Sage Dec 14 2005 09:50 AM

If Alfonseca gives the fans the finger, which one will he use?

MFS62 Dec 14 2005 10:15 AM

And how does he throw the splitter? He has so many choices. Later

sharpie Dec 14 2005 10:28 AM

Tavarez is a punk. Made anti-gay comments while in San Francisco and generally has acted like an idiot. I vote for neither Tavarez or Alfonseca.

Frayed Knot Dec 14 2005 10:29 AM

Rotblatt wrote: We're apparently also interesed in Tavarez. A good idea, I think, but he's reportedly asking for four years, which is way too much. 2 years is too many. I don't like that guy -- I think he's a whack-job and he's not good enough to survive being a whack-job.

Edgy DC Dec 14 2005 10:33 AM

Nice highlight film material.

Valadius Dec 15 2005 08:50 AM

On Tavarez: Julian Tavarez: To the Mets? RotoWire.com Staff - RotoWire.com Thursday, December 15, 2005 Update: Tavarez may want a four-year contract, and industry scuttlebutt is the Mets won't hesitate to make that commitment, the NY Daily News reports. Recommendation: A Mets insider said the team, whose main need now is the bullpen, has not yet made a four-year offer. One has to wonder why they would give Tavarez, who made $2.6 million in 2005 and is looking for a significant raise, four years but were unwilling to go two years on Roberto Hernandez, who was extremely productive last season.

Elster88 Dec 15 2005 09:04 AM

]One has to wonder why they would give Tavarez, who made $2.6 million in 2005 and is looking for a significant raise, four years but were unwilling to go two years on Roberto Hernandez, who was extremely productive last season. One doesn't. Bert is 41 years old. How dumb are some writers? If they write lines like that how can I possibly take their rumors seriously? Note to self: Never read anything on Rotowire.com.

Yancy Street Gang Dec 15 2005 09:09 AM

The Mets might have shown restraint with Roberto Hernandez, but overall they're giving out years like candy. A fourth year to get Pedro or Wagner? Done. A second year to get Julio Franco? Done. It's a Scarlett O'Hara approach: Fiddle-dee-dee. We'll worry about 2009 when it comes. But don't think that I'm necessarily objecting to that approach. The Mets are a wealthy team and they're one of the relatively few who can take such risks. If they have to absorb a bad salary or two in 2009 or 2010, they should be able to.

Johnny Dickshot Dec 15 2005 09:11 AM

One of the rags (Newsday?) today said the chances of Tavarez signing a 4-year deal are slim. My guess is the News, or whoever reported that item initially (rottowire is not a source, just a gatheerer) leapt from the idea that if the MFYs would offer 3 years, the Mets would need to offer 4. Whatever. Tavarez is a freak who like Farnsworth, might be retarded, IMO. He pronounces his name with the J: Joolian.

Edgy DC Dec 15 2005 09:38 AM

Joolian displays his mad skillz:

Johnny Dickshot Dec 15 2005 09:43 AM

Looks like Ron's gone missing.

Frayed Knot Dec 15 2005 09:56 AM

Tavarez also had that deal a year or so back where he went headhunting against Piazza for no apparent reason. 'Joolian' was then cornered by Pujols in the dugout who said something along the lines of; "Knock it off you fuckin' idjit, you're gonna get me killed!" Multi-year deals for middle relievers are usually really bad ideas. Even among the guys who were somewhat good: Turk, Franco, Weathers, Karsay, etc., they wound up backfiring ... and Tavarez isn't all that good.

metirish Dec 15 2005 09:59 AM

Tavarez is a bit of a wanker, especially after he plunked Piazza when he got back from injury this season, and no way on a four year deal, Boras is full of BS. You can expect to see lots of this if the Mets sign him....hey and look, it Roger Cedano..

Frayed Knot Dec 20 2005 01:15 PM

[url=http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/daily-graphing-heath-bell/]The Hardball Times[/url] is optimistic about the future of Heath Bell (2nd half of the article) They don't address it specifically, but I bet they'd take him over an expensive long-term committment to the Julian Taverez's of the world ... I know I would!

Edgy DC Dec 20 2005 01:59 PM

Looks like the Orb has been signed to a minor league deal by Bal'mer.

Johnny Dickshot Dec 20 2005 02:09 PM

You just knew Duquette would start gathering in some of those guys of his. He liked Tyler Yates an awful lot too.

Matt Murdock, Esq. Dec 21 2005 12:03 AM

With Dotel signing with the MFYs and Tyler Yates non-tendered, right now, it's looking like: 1) Wagner (CL) 2) Heilmann (Set-up) 3) Bell (Set-up / MI) 4) Zambrano (Spot starter / Long) with 1 of the following RHPs: 5) Padilla / Fortunato / Wylie / Parra* (MI / Long) and 1 of the following LHPs: 6) Hamulack / Perisho* / Ring / Oliver* / Feliciano* (LOOGY) * = not on the 40 This assumes an 11-man staff. I don't think they can carry 12 pitchers again, because their bench will likely need to include Tike Redman (the only legit CFer on the bench and a LH bat).

abogdan Dec 21 2005 12:57 AM

Danny Kolb was non-tendered by Milwaukee. Yes, he was awful for Atlanta last year, but depending on who the Mets put at 2B, he might be a nice fit as a one or two batter righty who can come in and get a ground ball for a double play.

Frayed Knot Dec 21 2005 09:33 AM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Dec 21 2005 09:47 AM

Kolb had a good year for Milwaukee 2 years back before his disaster w/Los Bravos last season -- although many figured that with his virtually non-existant K-rates (57 IPs, 39 saves, 21 Ks !!) it was a long-shot that he'd repeat it. Milwaukee then trades to get him back ... and then immediately non-tenders him!?! Wes Obenmueller - the guy they dealt for him - has to be scratching his head right about now too. 'Hmmm, they thought so little of me that they traded me for some guy they didn't even want! Why didn't they just release ME and I coulda struck my own damn deal?'

Edgy DC Dec 21 2005 09:39 AM

I get the idea that Willie thinks middle infielders can do anything, and he's possibly cool with Woodward and Nady as backups to Beltran, who he doesn't envision giving too many days off.

metsmarathon Dec 21 2005 09:41 AM

wade miller, according to ESPN's rumor central, may be getting a non-tender from the red sox. would we be interested in him for any part of our pitching staff?

seawolf17 Dec 21 2005 09:45 AM

I'd give Wade Miller a shot. He's youngish (30 in September), can strike guys out, won 45 games in three years from 01-03, and his bbr page is sponsored by a Pooler.

Frayed Knot Dec 21 2005 09:50 AM

Except that Houston released him following his arm surgery after they decided he didn't have it anymore. Boston then took a flyer on him hoping they'd strike lightning in a bottle .. and then released him after deciding he didn't have it anymore.

Bret Sabermetric Dec 21 2005 09:56 AM

sounds completely qualified for Mets middle relief to me.

Johnny Dickshot Dec 22 2005 07:24 AM

Snooze: The Mets and the agent for Chad Bradford (2-1, 3.86 ERA in 2005) spoke yesterday after he was let go by Boston. However, one team insider said there didn't appear to be too many newly available relievers who could help the Mets. Tampa Bay's Trever Miller is among the few southpaw relievers who came on the market. "It certainly is an attractive team for Chad," agent Rex Gary said about the Mets. "Rick Peterson was his pitching coach at Oakland when he had good years, and Chad is accustomed to pitching for winning teams. I think he's been in the playoffs five years of his career, which hasn't been much more than that."

smg58 Dec 22 2005 10:29 AM

Bradford can do the job against righties, but he's awful against lefties. If you're going with seven relievers, maybe, but no way with six.

Frayed Knot Dec 27 2005 10:10 AM

Frayed Knot wrote: [url=http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/daily-graphing-heath-bell/]The Hardball Times[/url] is optimistic about the future of Heath Bell (2nd half of the article) The folks at Hardball Times might be optimistic about the immediate future of Heath Bell but they seem to think Juan Padilla was [url=http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/daily-graphing-juan-padilla/]was a bit "lucky"[/url] last year.

Edgy DC Dec 27 2005 10:45 AM

That's a pretty useful analysis, and I hope the Mets see it. Not that Shades hasn't earned a return trip, but a repeat performance shouldn't be expected. Using that statistic, for comparison, I tried to compare his luck factor to another onanother lucky stiff, Doug Sisk, but I couldn't find anywhere to glean his number of fly balls yielded: Juan Padilla 2005: (BABIP + (3 * (HR/FB)) + (1-LOB%)) = (.219 + (3 * (0)) + (1-.821)) = .398 Doug Sisk 1984: (BABIP + (3 * (HR/FB)) + (1-LOB%)) = (.246 + (3 * (1/FB)) + (1-.799)) = ?? Whatever that FB number is, I don't think Sisk can get possibly get a lower number here, which makes Padilla's season seem even more unlikely. One factor in luck not accounted for in this formula is the percentage of times a double play is turned when a pitcher gets a ground ball in a DP situation --- seemingly a specialty (lucky or not) of Sisk's.

smg58 Dec 27 2005 01:53 PM

Padilla's career ERA (for two seasons, roughly translating to one full season of work) is 4.07, and that's probably an accurate indication of where he'll be if the strikeouts don't improve. That being said, Padilla's K/BB in AAA suggests we'll see better in that regard as he pitches more on this level. I don't think anybody sees a one-something ERA in 2006 as realistic, but 3.50 is within his reach.

Diamond Dad Dec 27 2005 03:48 PM Bullpen by committee

With a lefty as your closer, having that lefty set-up guy becomes a luxury that you can use in the 7th or even 6th inning. If you get to a key situation in the 8th, you can bring in Billy the Kid. I like Heilman as the set up guy, who can stay in and get a save once in a while. Don't mess with him and put him back in the rotation. He was doing fine in the pen. Like Shades, and would rather see kids (Ring, Strayhorn) get a shot at those middle innings jobs rather than overpaying for some "veteran" who wasn't good enough to keep his job somewhere else. HATE Taverez. Like Bradford, even against lefty hitters in a 6th or 7th inning slot. Lots of grounders. Love the idea of talking about the '06 season already . . .

Edgy DC Dec 27 2005 04:02 PM

I don't think Kole is at the top of any lists. He was demoted to St. Lucie following surgery, and had a lousy spring and a lousy fall, but pitched very well in June and July ("...but never at dusk" -- Steve Martin). He claims his stamina caved in and he will likely spend 2006 establishing some durability. He was hittable most of the year, but he's still youngish.

Johnny Dickshot Dec 28 2005 08:06 AM

BRADFORD HEADS TO METS' BULLPEN By JOEL SHERMAN The Mets have all but completed a one-year contract with Chad Bradford in hopes the sidewinder can rediscover his health and ability to dominate righty hitters in 2006. Bradford, who will receive a contract for between $1 million and $1.5 million, had back surgery and missed the first half of last season. When he returned, pitching for the A's and Red Sox, he failed to overwhelm righties as he had in the past. Righties batted .282 against Bradford in 2005 after previously managing to hit just .220. Nevertheless, Bradford still did not allow a homer to a righty batter, and has permitted just 10 homers in 835 at-bats against righties in his career. However, his funky motion does not deceive lefties, who have hit .319 against him during his career. He is a matchup reliever, but the Mets have no sure-thing lefties to serve as a complement. The Mets have two inexperienced southpaw relievers, Tim Hamulack and Royce Ring, expected to compete in spring training with veteran castoffs Pedro Feliciano, Darren Oliver and Matt Perisho for the lefty slots. *

Edgy DC Dec 28 2005 08:24 AM

I'm nervous. Without checking, I'm guessing that'll be the first Chad in Mets history.

Edgy DC Dec 28 2005 08:41 AM

Is this to be a major- or minor-league deal? Didn't Bradford just get released? (On edit: Non-Tendered.)

Frayed Knot Dec 28 2005 09:10 AM

For that kind of money it's almost shirley a major league deal. There'd also be too many potential other suitors to get him with just a minor league or "split" contract.

Edgy DC Dec 28 2005 09:23 AM

Maybe. The Mets signed Karim and Shane for approximately $850,000 and $650,000, I think, but kept them off the roster until they broke camp. How high can a minor league deal go? Is there a limit?

Frayed Knot Dec 28 2005 09:30 AM

An official limit? I doubt it. More like a practical one -- although I suppose it's possible that he signed a minor league deal with the understanding that it'll be made ML when enough other paper shuffling goes through. Like I said, I'd be surprised if he didn't have enough other options to at least get himself a guaranteed salary for next season.

smg58 Dec 28 2005 10:27 AM

Like I said before, I'm OK with Bradford if the Mets go with seven relievers, but I don't see there being room for a righty specialist if the Mets carry only six. At this point we have Wagner, Heilman, Bell, Padilla, Bradford, Zambrano, and one more lefty, but if we go with seven then Diaz, Nady, and Franco are competing for two spots. Something's gotta give somewhere.

Johnny Dickshot Dec 28 2005 12:31 PM

You gotta love this though:

Edgy DC Dec 28 2005 12:39 PM

Certainly I dig anybody who brings it like Jenny Finch. Pitfalls primarily include (a) his lesser effectiveness against righties of late, (b) rumors (related to a) of him tipping his pitches by changing his arm angle, (c) the luxury of investing a roster spot in a ROOGy, and (d) the famed blocking-the-kids issue. Omar's willingness to cut chaff last year suggests to me that (d) is less of an issue, perhaps, then it might have been in the past. Sometimes, the greatest issue isn't the vets blocking the prospects so much as the major league journeymen blocking the minor league journeymen like Padilla, Parra, and Santiago. There's also (e) his goatee.

MFS62 Dec 28 2005 02:21 PM

Edgy DC wrote: (a) his lesser effectiveness against righties of late, . I think that, as well as his changing arm angle, has been attributed to coming back from an injury. He couldn't find his arm groove, plus he may not have had his full strength. Also, I feel that he may need a Peterson "tune up" of his delivery from Peterson, under whom he had his best success. Later

Johnny Dickshot Dec 28 2005 05:43 PM

official release. Gotta say he'll have a heckuva different look than Billy Wagner. Mets sign Chad Bradford 12/28/2005 4:07 PM ET MLB.com The New York Mets today signed 31-year old right-handed relief pitcher Chad Bradford to a one-year Major League contract. Bradford, 6-5, 203 pounds, was 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 21 games with the Red Sox in 2005. Chad began last season on Oakland's Disabled List. He underwent lower back surgery in March. Chad made nine minor league rehabilitation appearances between June 24th and July 12th before being traded to Boston for outfielder Jay Payton on July 13th. In his major league career, the Jackson, MS native has pitched with the White Sox, A's and Red Sox and has a combined 23-16 record and seven saves with a 3.49 ERA in 325 games. "Chad is a veteran guy who has had success in the post-season," said Mets General Manager Omar Minaya. "He brings valuable experience to our bullpen." Last season for Boston, Bradford did not allow a run in 23 of his 31 appearances. He only gave up three extra-base hits (two doubles and a home run) in 104 batters faced. Bradford pitched with the White Sox in parts of 1998, 1999 and 2000 and was with Oakland until his trade to the Red Sox. Chad appeared in at least 68 games each season from 2002-2004. "New York is a great situation for me," said Bradford. "I worked with Rick Peterson in Oakland and I know what he can do. With all the off-season additions, I'm sure the Mets will be contending for a playoff spot and I want to do all I can to help." In eight post-season appearances with the White Sox (2000) and the Athletics (2001-2003), he has not allowed a run in 8.1 innings. For his career, righthanded batters have a .225 (188-834) average against Bradford. Chad has permitted 10 home runs in 834 at-bats against righthanded batters lifetime, an average of one home run per 83.4 at-bats.

Edgy DC Dec 28 2005 07:13 PM

Probably a better investment than Julio Franco will be.

Edgy DC Dec 28 2005 11:42 PM

He grew up in Jackson, MS, so his hometeam might well have been the Jackson Mets.

Johnny Dickshot Dec 29 2005 07:31 AM

According to Moneyball, Bradford's high school coach, "Moose" Perry, who taught him the sidearm delivery, was also the chapel leader for the Jackson Mets, where he encountered Billy Beane among others. The chapter also reprints a great essay Bradford wrote when he was 8 years old: If I were A grown up I would be a baseball player And I would play for the Dodgers. I hope to play for the Cardinals too. I hope to play for the Oriole too And for all the teams I would Play shotestop.

Frayed Knot Dec 29 2005 09:06 AM

Now we just need the LOOGY equivalent of him ... Brad Chadford come on down!!

Centerfield Dec 29 2005 09:32 AM

Brad Chadford goes by the name of Mike Myers, who is now a MFY...

Edgy DC Dec 29 2005 10:00 AM

Kewl scouting report.

MFS62 Dec 29 2005 10:19 AM

The scouting report was interesting. We have been told by baseball analysts, from Garagiola through McCarver to Kiner that lefty batters like the low inside pitch, so they can "drop the head of the bat on the ball and drive it". Yet 18% of the strikes he threw to lefties were low and inside. Another 7% of his pitches were low, inside and out of the strike zone. IMHO, unless you have overpowering stuff, that is just tempting fate. By contrast, we've been told that righty batters " like the ball up" . He seemed to keep the ball down pretty well against them. Those locations tend to confirm his L/R splits. If he can adjust his thinking against lefties, maybe he can be suitable for more than a ROOGY role. AND, according to NESN, and intimated by Ed Coleman on WAFN when he was hosting on ESPN yesterday, the Mets are close to signing Julian Tavarez. Later

Yancy Street Gang Dec 29 2005 10:38 AM

Isn't a right-handed pitcher less likely to be in an "only one guy" situation. While it's relatively rare to see back-to-back lefties in the lineup, I'd guess it's pretty common to see two or three or more righties in a row. And there isn't always a left-handed pinch hitter available on the bench. I think a pitcher who's generally limited to facing right-handed batters will usually stay in a game longer than one who's limited to left-handed batters. Which is probably why you see more LOOGYs than ROOGYs.

MFS62 Dec 29 2005 10:56 AM

You're right about the lefty/ righty mix in most lineups. But when you look at Bradford's historic splits, it appears that he might be pulled if a lefty batter came up against him. But, as you said, the odds are he would be facing more than just one batter based on the numbers of righties in most lineups. Later

86-Dreamer Dec 30 2005 08:28 AM

post reporting mets on verge of trading a package headed by either Heilman or Seo to Tampa for Baez: http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/mets.htm I hate this if it is Heilman. Dislike less, but still dislike if it is for Seo. I would love it if it was for Zambrano ....

Yancy Street Gang Dec 30 2005 08:34 AM

It's also the New York Post. I'll believe it when I see it somewhere else.

Frayed Knot Dec 30 2005 10:12 AM

Doesn't sound like something I'm in favor of mainly because it doesn't really "solve" much, it merely deals pitching depth away to get pitching depth. Baez is a nice pitcher - although I could do w/o the almost 4 BBs per/game - but how much of an upgrade is this really, especially if we're talking about Heilman or Seo as the centerpiece of a "package" to get him?

Edgy DC Dec 30 2005 10:25 AM

Depends on what you think of Lugo and his .362 2005 OBP. Downside is that Lugo is the same age as Matsui. I'm really OK with the prospect of Matsui batting eighth, and having four potential replacements ready to go in Hernandez, Keppinger, Lambin, and Baldiris. The Mets want an experienced reliever to add to their pen, they should probably deal their extra experienced starter in Zambrano.

Johnny Dickshot Dec 30 2005 12:35 PM

I also don't see a whole lot of harm in simply making Seo a reliever if he doesn't fit into the starting group. But I think the Mets probably feel that they're asking for trouble with so many SP candidates and too few experienced bullpenners heading into the year, so that taking from the big pool and adding to the little one isn't such a bad thing. Is Seo finally out of options? That might drive something too.

smg58 Dec 30 2005 12:46 PM

86-Dreamer wrote: I hate this if it is Heilman. Dislike less, but still dislike if it is for Seo. I would love it if it was for Zambrano .... I'm with you on the first two, but even Zambrano would be trading a capable starting pitcher for a righty set-up guy.

metirish Jan 25 2006 10:40 AM

Look who's back...or might be at least.... ] RETURN OF MR. KOO: Reliever Dae-Sung Koo is scheduled to return to the Mets as a non-roster invitee to spring training. Koo had a memorable double against Randy Johnson during an otherwise unremarkable season. The Mets signed righthanded pitchers Jeremi Gonzalez (2-1, 6.11 ERA with Boston last season) and Jose Santiago and catcher Bobby Estalella.

seawolf17 Jan 25 2006 10:44 AM

YAY!

sharpie Jan 25 2006 10:46 AM

Estalella looks like the poster boy for steroids.