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Bullpen Help?

metirish Jun 30 2012 09:26 AM

Snooze has this , as speculated in the Quintin thread the Mets are interested in relievers NY Mets begin to pursue relievers for bullpen, including San Diego Padres' Huston Street and Brad Lidge Prospects could join the Mets soon, according to sources close to the situation. Andy Martino LOS ANGELES — Seeking bullpen help for their competitive but still flawed team, the Mets have developed a profile of the ideal acquisition, according to major league executives with direct knowledge of their thinking: a veteran reliever, ideally with postseason experience, and perhaps a history of success in New York. In other words, the Mets do not see a short-term savior for their troubled bullpen in the farm system, and will initially focus on trading for a high-impact reliever with a history of success, rather than an under-the-radar find. The team has already begun the active pursuit of relievers, and called San Diego to inquire about closer Huston Street, according to one source. Street (1-0) has 11 saves and a 1.42 ERA for the last-place Padres. Brad Lidge, recently released by Washington, won a World Series with Philadelphia in 2008, and the Mets will consider him, according to one source. The Mets are concerned about Lidge’s recent injury history, and have not yet decided whether to pursue the veteran aggressively (and Lidge has not decided if he wants to pitch again this year). Whether or not the Mets sign Lidge, their openness to him provides insight into the type of bullpen help they are seeking: older and playoff-tested. Names mentioned in other recent reports also fit that pattern: Houston’s Brett Myers, Oakland’s Grant Balfour and Street. The two prospects who could join the Mets relatively soon, according to sources, are lefty Josh Edgin and righty Elvin Ramirez. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseb ... z1zI54XCFm

Edgy MD Jun 30 2012 10:45 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Where the heck is Beato? Gary, if you're reading, listen, as this team's bullpen hasn't performed up to what they've hoped since 2006 (when Willie routinely used his Heilman, Sanchez, and Mota for two innings at a time), please tell somebody in management that it isn't the makeup but the usage. Experience in New York? Please! Stop the madness. It'd be fine to have another capable arm, but I have little reason to believe that arm isn't attached to Beato, Ramirez, and Edgin rather than a veteran with a choice makeup.

Ceetar Jun 30 2012 01:22 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

Edgy DC wrote: Where the heck is Beato? Gary, if you're reading, listen, as this team's bullpen hasn't performed up to what they've hoped since 2006 (when Willie routinely used his Heilman, Sanchez, and Mota for two innings at a time), please tell somebody in management that it isn't the makeup but the usage. Experience in New York? Please! Stop the madness. It'd be fine to have another capable arm, but I have little reason to believe that arm isn't attached to Beato, Ramirez, and Edgin rather than a veteran with a choice makeup. I agree, Beato, Ramirez, edgin, etc. (even Meija/Harvey/Wheeler?) could help the pitching, which hasn't been bad (it's been above average in June) lately. I'm curious to see how Collins starts to handle things in August and September as they remain competitive. Does he go into "You've earned my trust, I'm gonna push you" mode with guys like Parnell, and only use Batista for crap innings?

Nymr83 Jun 30 2012 02:31 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

"Experience in New York" means "Motherfucking Yankee Reject" right?

Edgy MD Jun 30 2012 03:13 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

To the extent that you take seriously a "perhaps" from "major league executives with direct knowledge of their thinking," I would say that, yes, that does imply that they are looking for a player with a track record of motherfucking.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 30 2012 03:22 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

Beato (Buffalo): 15 games, 21 IP, 18/8 K/BB, 16 H, 2 HR, 1.29 ERA.

Edgy MD Jun 30 2012 03:32 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

A few names that strike me are also ex-motherhelpers from the Mets as well: Luis Ayala and Raul Valdes.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 30 2012 04:02 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

Street and Bob Geren = not the best of pals.

Edgy MD Jun 30 2012 04:08 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Beato (Buffalo): 15 games, 21 IP, 18/8 K/BB, 16 H, 2 HR, 1.29 ERA. Get him into my kitchen.

seawolf17 Jun 30 2012 07:39 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

Nymr83 wrote: "Experience in New York" means "Motherfucking Yankee Reject" right? Considering that half their staff right now is Mets rejects, that's not heartening. The Mariners have a kid in the bullpen now, a lefty. Just called him up. Five and a third innings, five hits, one run, two walks, and six Ks. Could probably come cheap.

Edgy MD Jun 30 2012 09:09 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

The Mets are just as likely to get that sort of performance calling up a kid of their own.

Ashie62 Jul 01 2012 05:45 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Edgy DC wrote: The Mets are just as likely to get that sort of performance calling up a kid of their own. I don't know about the "just as likely" part. Doesn't hurt to look everywhere.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 01 2012 08:59 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

I don't mind a multi-pronged approach. Bring up some kids, sign a veteran or two from the scrap heap; make a small-scale deal... The more options you have for the bullpen the more likely someone will work out.

Ceetar Jul 01 2012 09:02 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

It's also possible Ramon Ramirez reverts to being the excellent reliever he's been for most of his career.

Edgy MD Jul 01 2012 10:06 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I don't mind a multi-pronged approach. Bring up some kids, sign a veteran or two from the scrap heap; make a small-scale deal... The more options you have for the bullpen the more likely someone will work out. Sure, but you only have seven slots --- four (or more) of which are pretty well nailed down.

Frayed Knot Jul 01 2012 10:47 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

btw, it's not clear from the reading if everyone here was in on where Seawolf was going there with his description of the Mariners' recent pen acquisition -- "a lefty. Just called him up. Five and a third innings, five hits, one run, two walks, and six Ks. Could probably come cheap." -- but it's a reference to one Oliver Perez. IOW, all that glitters is not necessarily gold.

Ceetar Jul 01 2012 10:48 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Frayed Knot wrote: btw, it's not clear from the reading if everyone here was in on where Seawolf was going there with his description of the Mariners' recent pen acquisition -- "a lefty. Just called him up. Five and a third innings, five hits, one run, two walks, and six Ks. Could probably come cheap." -- but it's a reference to one Oliver Perez. IOW, all that glitters is not necessarily gold. and a clear reason why not to overreact to small sample sizes, whether or not they're on our team.

Edgy MD Jul 01 2012 11:41 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Missed that. Too busy being annoying with my agenda. Go, Ollie!

Edgy MD Jul 06 2012 11:33 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Big scary Jonathan Broxton being shopped by the Royals (Los Reales). Paired with Rauch, our bullpen could really corner the market on terror.

seawolf17 Jul 06 2012 11:54 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Can the Wilpons afford that much uniform?

smg58 Jul 06 2012 04:07 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

Wilton Lopez of the Astros has very quietly been rock solid for the Astros for three years running. He'd be the first guy I'd ask about. The Padres bought low on Street, and are now in a good position to sell high. Hopefully not too high if we wind up buying. Lidge on a wait-and-see minor league deal makes some sense.

Swan Swan H Jul 10 2012 03:14 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

MLBtraderumors.com reports that J.C. Romero has been released from a minor league deal. From the site: After signing on with the Orioles the 35-year-old posted a 2.51 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 14 1/3 innings (17 appearances) at Norfolk. If they don't have faith in Edgin, Romero might be worth a look as a disposable LOOGY.

Edgy MD Jul 10 2012 03:25 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

I think "Disposable Loogy" was a King Missile song.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 10 2012 05:33 PM Re: Bullpen Help? Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 10 2012 09:23 PM

After a few hours of searching the minors, and calling every GM I could think of, I was starting to get very depressed, so I went to Tai Pan, and grabbed some breakfast. As I walked down Roosevelt Avenue towards Corona, where all those people sell tacos and fake soccer jerseys on the street, I saw my LOOGY hanging on a food truck next to a sign advertising waxy-looking Mexican tortas. Some guy was selling him for cheap. I had to buy him off the guy. He wanted McHugh, but I talked him down to Carson. I took it to the park, hosed the ex-Philly stink off, and put it on the roster. DFAed Schwinden again. Cool. People sometimes tell me I should offer him a multi-year deal, but I don't know. Even though sometimes it's a pain in the ass, I like having a disposable LOOGY.

Swan Swan H Jul 10 2012 06:10 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

King Missile of cool.

Edgy MD Jul 10 2012 09:06 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

DIS-POS-A-BLE LOOGEEE! DIS-POS-A-BLE LOOGEEE!

Swan Swan H Jul 11 2012 09:12 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Street clearing Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11-2. Alternate side parking is in effect. Padres closer Huston Street said he could “clear the air” with Mets bench coach Bob Geren if a trade sends him to New York this summer, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. "If I get to the Mets, that'll be the first bug I go squash,'' Street said. The right-hander called Geren his “least favorite person” in sports following their time with the Athletics. As reported on mlbtraderumors.com.

Frayed Knot Jul 11 2012 10:32 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Every time I see this thread I read it as: Bullpen ... HELP!

smg58 Jul 11 2012 11:34 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Brian Fuentes just got released by Oakland. He's been terrible so far this season, but he has a history of being streaky and he'd be worth a minor-league deal to see if he can get his groove back. I wonder if Street's relationship with Geren played a role in the Mets not looking at him in the winter. The Rockies dealt him to the Padres for a marginal prospect while eating payroll. The Padres basically have him for $7M this year, plus a team option for $9M.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 11 2012 11:42 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Interesting thought re: Fuentes... but he's a guy without a real platoon split (.287 opponent wOBA vs. lefties, .302 opponent wOBA vs. lefties), and has been intermittently shitty for the last half-decade, not just this year.

Edgy MD Jul 18 2012 05:17 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

Maybe what we need is a veteran catcher who has been around the league and caught a few all-stars.

Ashie62 Jul 18 2012 10:12 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

Don't know that it matters much. Feels like the window of opportunity for help is closing quickly. He who hesitates has lost.

Edgy MD Jul 19 2012 07:46 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

"He who hesitates is lost" goes the expression. It's not so much a general universally applicable principle as all that. Is there an actual opportunity that a person is hesitating to take advantage of? An advantageous one? Initiative is a virtue, but there's a clashing virtue that is prudence, and there is wisdom in knowing which virtue to yield to. Edgy DC wrote: DIS-POS-A-BLE LOOGEEE! DIS-POS-A-BLE LOOGEEE! Is that a photo of the Marlins behind him?

Ceetar Jul 19 2012 07:52 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

well, barring a sudden change in heart on Harvey, we're down to 6 relievers as I can't imagine they'll use Batista again now before his start. So someone will join the club. A MI (probably) is going to get the axe.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 19 2012 08:07 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

I think what would really help the bullpen is if the Mets had a 6 or 7 run lead going into the late innings.

Swan Swan H Jul 19 2012 02:01 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

Mets – Willets Point wrote: I think what would really help the bullpen is if the Mets had a 6 or 7 run lead going into the late innings. Yup.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 19 2012 02:21 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

Swan Swan H wrote: Mets – Willets Point wrote: I think what would really help the bullpen is if the Mets had a 6 or 7 run lead going into the late innings. Yup. I should ask for such things more often.

Swan Swan H Jul 22 2012 09:08 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Romero signs a minor-league deal with the Indians, per Jon Heyman. He will go to AAA, but can ask for his release if he is not called up by August 15, which would give him a couple of weeks to hook on with a potential playoff team..

MFS62 Jul 24 2012 07:07 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

CJ Nitkowski is in the Mets system and struck out the side in his one inning of work at Binghamton last night. I'm just waiting for the WFAN-droids to start calling for him to be brought up. When the idea surfaced earlier in the year that CJ, a player who had failed miserably everywhere he has been, might be on the Mets, I predicted the end of civilization as we know it. But that was before I saw the current bullpen. The main problem is that he's a local guy (St.John's) and I fear he would become the darling of the local media. Then, if he's as terrible as I think he would be, He'd be as hard to get rid of as a condo in Florida. I look at the current bullpen I don't see how it could get worse. Then CJ's name is mentioned, and I know it could. Later

Edgy MD Jul 24 2012 07:12 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

That post is just filled with the silliest assertions. Please. Stop wasting your fingers and your mind on such nonsense.

MFS62 Jul 24 2012 07:22 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Well then, how do you feel about the possibility of the Mets bringing him up? Would you predict positive results? Later

Benjamin Grimm Jul 24 2012 07:27 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

He certainly wouldn't be so beloved that he'd be impossible to get rid of. Is there a history of fans loving and cherishing local guys with ERA's of 8 or above? That's pretty much what you're predicting.

Ceetar Jul 24 2012 07:29 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Benjamin Grimm wrote: He certainly wouldn't be so beloved that he'd be impossible to get rid of. Is there a history of fans loving and cherishing local guys with ERA's of 8 or above? That's pretty much what you're predicting. no, there's a media history of loving and promoting these guys. Look at Isringhausen, who was not particularly good last year. Obviously simply mediocre and 8 ERA bad is completely different too. But how many times do they tell us how nice Jason Bay is, or how cool Francoeur was?

Edgy MD Jul 24 2012 07:31 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

1) Nobody is going to clamor for CJ Nitkowski. 2) Don't listen to WFAN if you don't like it. 3) The end of civilization? Sounds great. 4) He hasn't failed everywhere he's been. 5) He won't be the darling of anything if he arrives and doesn't pitch well. 6) The media doesn't run the team. He's in Binghamton, making soup money. If he comes up, it's because he's earned it. If he doesn't, it's because he hasn't. Finding new, exotic, down-in-the-system reasons to hate the team is megasilly. Please don't start a new Corey Ragsdale campaign. I don't think my heart could take it.

Edgy MD Jul 24 2012 07:32 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Ceetar wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: He certainly wouldn't be so beloved that he'd be impossible to get rid of. Is there a history of fans loving and cherishing local guys with ERA's of 8 or above? That's pretty much what you're predicting. no, there's a media history of loving and promoting these guys. Look at Isringhausen, who was not particularly good last year. Obviously simply mediocre and 8 ERA bad is completely different too. But how many times do they tell us how nice Jason Bay is, or how cool Francoeur was? Oh, Mama, don't you start. How much unearned time did the media's passion for Jason Isringhausen buy him?

Ceetar Jul 24 2012 07:36 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Edgy DC wrote: Ceetar wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: He certainly wouldn't be so beloved that he'd be impossible to get rid of. Is there a history of fans loving and cherishing local guys with ERA's of 8 or above? That's pretty much what you're predicting. no, there's a media history of loving and promoting these guys. Look at Isringhausen, who was not particularly good last year. Obviously simply mediocre and 8 ERA bad is completely different too. But how many times do they tell us how nice Jason Bay is, or how cool Francoeur was? Oh, dear, don't you start. How much unearned time did the media's passion for Jason Isringhausen buy him? I was just citing examples, he said media not fans loving/cherishing local guys. Considering the second half was meaningless last year, he didn't get any unearned time. And we're crediting him with teaching Parnell that curve, so that's a net win anyway. And neither Omar or Sandy was stupid enough to give Frenchy the 3/15 contract that was rumored in the media for a bit near the end of 2010. But who knows? Sandy's mentioned clubhouse chemistry before, despite saying he doesn't think too much could be made of it. Often clubhouse chemistry/the media likes you means the same thing. Justin Turner hasn't exactly done anything worthwhile this year. Willie Harris wasn't very good last year and they rode it out all year. (He was a really nice guy in case you haven't heard)

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 24 2012 07:43 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

This whole thread is stupid

MFS62 Jul 24 2012 07:50 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

Edgy DC wrote: Finding new, exotic, down-in-the-system reasons to hate the team is megasilly. Please don't start a new Corey Ragsdale campaign. I don't think my heart could take it. Edgy, I don't hate this team. I love this team. When the season started, I looked at all the off season moves that were made to strengthen the bullpen and had a pretty good feeling. My comment about "end of civilization" (part hyperbolic, part comedic) meant that many of those moves would have to have failed if CJ were to have made the team. He's not my whipping buy nor is he symbolic of anything. As for his record, here it is: http://www.baseball-reference.com/playe ... c.01.shtml Later

metsmarathon Jul 24 2012 07:54 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

sweet jeebus! he's got a 0.00 era and an 18.00 k/9ip, what the hell are we waiting for? bring him up now! i don't care if it's only two innings, those are two better innings than anybody else has thrown in our pen!

Edgy MD Jul 24 2012 07:54 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

This is bionically stupid. Ceetar wrote: I was just citing examples, Of what? Guys who at some point had nice things written about them? Big whoop. Writers have jobs to do. he said media not fans loving/cherishing local guys. This doesn't mean anything. Considering the second half was meaningless last year, he didn't get any unearned time. So, we have nothing further to discuss. His scenario is batshit insane. And we're crediting him with teaching Parnell that curve, so that's a net win anyway. And neither Omar or Sandy was stupid enough to give Frenchy the 3/15 contract that was rumored in the media for a bit near the end of 2010. And yet, we do. For God's sake, stop dignifying his nonsense. Ceetar wrote: But who knows? MFS62 does! Ceetar wrote: Sandy's mentioned clubhouse chemistry before, despite saying he doesn't think too much could be made of it. Often clubhouse chemistry/the media likes you means the same thing. Justin Turner hasn't exactly done anything worthwhile this year. Willie Harris wasn't very good last year and they rode it out all year. (He was a really nice guy in case you haven't heard) Yes, poorer players sometimes continue to get opportunities. It's not because they all went to St. Johns. You're gonna break the internet with this. 62, thank you, but I don't kneed to be shown where to find C.J. Nitkowski's record. Nor do I need clarification on your meaning.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 24 2012 10:19 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

metsmarathon wrote: sweet jeebus! he's got a 0.00 era and an 18.00 k/9ip, what the hell are we waiting for? bring him up now! i don't care if it's only two innings, those are two better innings than anybody else has thrown in our pen! HAHAHAHAH THEY SHULD FIRE THATPSSY SANDY AND HIRE YOU INSTEAD MAN!!!1111!!

Vic Sage Jul 24 2012 11:21 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

[Manny Acosta flies into CitiField, landing on the dugout roof and sings] Bullpen trouble never hangs around When you hear this mighty sound. "Here I come to save the day" That means that Manny A is on his way. Yes sir, when there is an out to get Manny A will be that Met. At CitiField or on the road, He turns the situation into a hold!

Ashie62 Jul 28 2012 09:55 PM Re: Bullpen Help?

Speaking of Bullpens Francisco will not be ready Monday. [url]http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/52804/setback-for-frank-francisco?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Edgy MD Aug 24 2012 10:59 AM Re: Bullpen Help?

So here's a question: Going back 30 years or so, maybe to the time Bruce Sutter become a Cardinal, how often has a team gone big on buying a free agent closer and walked away, saying, "Yup, we got every penny out of that deal." I can't imagine it's over maybe 25%. I'd guess it's closer to 20.