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Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Benjamin Grimm Nov 05 2013 12:00 PM

I think he's the Mets most likely free agent signing.

Edgy MD Nov 05 2013 12:01 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Sings GooGoo Dolls songs.

metirish Nov 05 2013 12:03 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

I have always liked him, a little bit of the goofy about him which is fine.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 05 2013 12:06 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

If pitchers got paid for how aesthetically pleasing their windup is, he'd make a fortune. He kind of came off like a punk early in his career but I've grown to appreciate him more as the years go by. As a rotation-filler, much better than erstwhile teammate Aaron Harang. Hopefully CitiField contains his dingers, at least some of them. Wears No. 61, just like another veteran who once filled that role for us, Livan Hernandez.

metirish Nov 05 2013 12:08 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Not sure how true it is but you hear things like" he's an innings eater", which to me seems like a back handed compliment.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 05 2013 12:14 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

He's been quite durable, which in my opinion is a good quality but not much of an indicator of future performance.

Edgy MD Nov 05 2013 12:18 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

But probably a point of appeal for the Mets.

Frayed Knot Nov 05 2013 12:19 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Much better option as long as he promises not to bring back his cornrows look.

TransMonk Nov 05 2013 12:27 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Frayed Knot wrote: Much better option as long as he promises not to bring back his cornrows look. Exactly my thought.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 05 2013 12:29 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

dinosaur jesus Nov 05 2013 12:32 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Always a bit better than you think he is, and sometimes quite good. I like Bronson Arroyo.

metirish Nov 05 2013 12:33 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Not sure which is worse

Benjamin Grimm Nov 05 2013 12:47 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

I like that he can scratch his ear with his foot. My dog can do that too!

Edgy MD Nov 05 2013 12:49 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

metirish wrote: Not sure which is worse Cornballs. Not even close.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 05 2013 12:53 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

I think maybe it's fate. BA is a MLBS. Arroyo’s Leg Kick Reaches Back to ’86 By TYLER KEPNER As the Mets play out the schedule of another forgettable season, their younger fans might not realize just how dynamic, and influential, their team was in the mid-1980s. For proof, they can look at three stars of today. The Detroit Tigers’ Johnny Damon wears No. 18 because Darryl Strawberry wore it for the Mets. The Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez wears white spikes in every All-Star Game because Keith Hernandez and other Mets did so in their day. And the pitcher with one of the most unusual deliveries in baseball, Bronson Arroyo of the Cincinnati Reds, said he learned his signature leg kick by trying to imitate Dwight Gooden. Like Damon and Rodriguez, Arroyo grew up in Florida before the state had major league teams. The Mets’ games were broadcast on cable — Channel 9 — and often shown on NBC’s game of the week. Arroyo caught the bug. “Living on Big Pine Key in ’86, that was one of the few teams we could see once in a while,” Arroyo said. “My parents loved the Mets, and I already knew that Dwight Gooden was from Tampa. It’s weird, when I first played for the Red Sox, I was thinking back to ’86 and how happy my family was, and I had no idea the devastation that was going on up there.” Arroyo, 33, was a steal for the Red Sox, but they lost him just as easily. Three years after grabbing Arroyo off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2003, the Red Sox traded him to the Reds for outfielder Wily Mo Pena. Arroyo has been a standout for Cincinnati, where photographers often capture him at a freakish point in his delivery. Arroyo lifts his left leg like a Rockette, as if it is the minute hand on a watch pointed at 10 o’clock. Gooden lifted his knee high, but the stiff-leg move seems to be uniquely Arroyo’s. “I really didn’t realize it was such a different leg kick than anyone else’s until I started seeing it on film in the rookie league,” Arroyo said. “Like in high school, I knew I had a decent high leg kick, but in my mind my foot is not out there. In my mind, my leg is in the same place everyone else’s is.” Arroyo is 6 feet 5 inches, and his foot reaches about head high. He acknowledges it is not the kind of mechanics one would teach a young pitcher, but he is athletic enough to pull it off. Also, Arroyo said, his father would have corrected him if he had noticed Bronson rocking back when his leg went up. In Class AA, Arroyo said, a coach tried to make him lift his leg like everyone else, keeping the knee bent. The concern was that Arroyo would not keep his back straight and lose his balance, which would throw off his arm slot. But the alteration did not take. “By the third inning I was absolutely toast,” Arroyo said. “Because without realizing it, I could just use the momentum of my foot and it’s totally relaxed. Other people have to use their hip flexor to pick up their leg, but the momentum of my foot takes my leg up and down, and it relaxes and just falls. It’s less effort than what a lot of other people are doing, but it looks like it’s more effort.” The photographic evidence would contradict that, right? Who else but Arroyo can contort his leg into that position while delivering a pitch? Arroyo has seen the photographers’ snapshots, but he tries to ignore them. “Oh, they take ’em all the time,” Arroyo said. “It messes with my head.”

Lefty Specialist Nov 05 2013 12:59 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Not sure I could watch that leg 35 times a year. It gives me the heebie-jeebies. But certainly a serviceable arm.

metirish Nov 05 2013 01:02 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

seawolf17 Nov 05 2013 01:04 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Gives up an ungodly number of home runs, but other than that, is remarkably consistent. Between 199-220 innings the last five years with 120ish Ks, doesn't walk guys, ERA in the high 3s (3.84, 3.88, 5.07, 3.74, 3.79). I'd absolutely sign him.

Mets – Willets Point Nov 05 2013 01:08 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Used to call him L'il Punk when he was with the Red Sox, although that was a compliment.

Edgy MD Nov 05 2013 01:21 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

seawolf17 wrote: Gives up an ungodly number of home runs, but other than that, is remarkably consistent. Between 199-220 innings the last five years with 120ish Ks, doesn't walk guys, ERA in the high 3s (3.84, 3.88, 5.07, 3.74, 3.79). I'd absolutely sign him. And if the team is able to field the strong defensive outfield they hope to, along with the stadiums challenging dimensions, the Mets may be in a better position to absorb his downside than most. On the other hand, that ERA pattern suggests he's about due for a hiccup year.

seawolf17 Nov 05 2013 01:39 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

I eyeballed his game logs to see what the hiccup was. He had about 15 less Ks then his five-year average, and 15 more home runs than his five-year average.

metirish Nov 05 2013 01:44 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

I assume he will command a lot of money for his innings eating mediocrity?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 05 2013 02:05 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

I would hope he comes for something like 2/25 or somewhere around that. Oh, by the way, Arroyo's agent is none other than x-Met Terry Bross. It's fate I tell you.

seawolf17 Nov 05 2013 02:36 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I would hope he comes for something like 2/25 or somewhere around that. 2005 28 Boston Red Sox $1,850,000 2006 29 Cincinnati Reds $3,000,000 2007 30 Cincinnati Reds $4,125,000 2008 31 Cincinnati Reds $4,575,000 2009 32 Cincinnati Reds $10,125,000 2010 33 Cincinnati Reds $11,625,000 2011 34 Cincinnati Reds $7,666,666 2012 35 Cincinnati Reds $12,000,000 2013 36 Cincinnati Reds $16,445,535 I'd hope that somewhere in the 2/18-22 range might get it done, or 2/15 with incentives and an option or something.

Frayed Knot Nov 05 2013 02:57 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I like that he can scratch his ear with his foot. My dog can do that too! How's your dog's curve ball?

Zvon Nov 05 2013 03:04 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Always liked Bronson and he'd fit in with the upcoming filler year fine.

Edgy MD Nov 05 2013 03:09 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

There's no such thing as a filler year, man. And there ain't no dog days. They're all precious. Either he's your man or he ain't.

Zvon Nov 05 2013 03:19 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Edgy MD wrote: There's no such thing as a filler year, man. And there ain't no dog days. They're all precious. I don't think I've ever approached a Met baseball season convinced that they would run in place all season long, but that's how I'm feeling about 2014. But it is baseball. Edgy MD wrote: Either he's your man or he ain't. Recker just got married. I'm not ready for another man.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Nov 05 2013 08:32 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

For 2/$20M, will he play whatever Alice In Chains song I want him to play?

Edgy MD Nov 05 2013 08:49 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Alice in Chains? No fway! I want "Spoonman."

Benjamin Grimm Dec 01 2013 05:19 AM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Current reports indicate that the Mets are getting serious about locking down Arroyo. Here's Adam Rubin: Source: Mets eye Bronson Arroyo Updated: November 30, 2013, 6:46 PM ET By Adam Rubin | ESPNNewYork.com NEW YORK -- New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson plans to meet with right-hander Bronson Arroyo at the free-agent pitcher's Tampa, Fla., home during the upcoming week, a baseball source told ESPNNewYork.com. Alderson, who has spent the holiday weekend in Maryland, touched base with Arroyo's representatives Wednesday to try to arrange a face-to-face meeting. Alderson has met in person with at least two free agents so far this offseason -- shortstop Jhonny Peralta and outfielder Chris Young. ... How serious the Mets' inquiry with Arroyo will be remains to be seen, since they have been averse to committing to large contracts in recent years. In fact, the largest contract Alderson has given to a free agent in four offseasons as GM is a now-expired two-year, $12 million deal to former closer Frank Francisco. A baseball source told ESPNNewYork.com that Arroyo seeks a three-year deal, but may ultimately accept a two-year offer with a vesting option for 2016. The Mets particularly need rotation help because right-hander Matt Harvey is due to miss next season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Ideally, the Mets would add two starting pitchers from outside the organization, to pair with Jonathon Niese, Zack Wheeler and Dillon Gee. That would allow upper-level pitching prospects Noah Syndergaard, Rafael Montero and Jacob deGrom to open the season at Triple-A Las Vegas. Arroyo, 36, went 14-12 with a 3.79 ERA in 202 innings with the Cincinnati Reds this past season. Since 2005, Arroyo has logged the third-most innings in the majors (1,895 2/3), trailing only CC Sabathia (1,999 1/3) and Dan Haren (1,927 2/3). While Alderson hopes to meet with Arroyo during the upcoming week in Tampa, a source indicated the meeting may be pushed back to the following week, when the winter meetings will be held in nearby Orlando, Fla. SB Nation first reported a potential meeting between Alderson and Arroyo.

Edgy MD Dec 01 2013 05:27 AM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Bronson would join Trot Nixon, Pedro Martinez, and Brian Daubach among 2004 Red Sox to later come to the Mets.

smg58 Dec 01 2013 06:04 AM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

One one hand, I think the Mets still have much greater needs in the outfield and at shortstop. On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with him and I wouldn't object to him signing on.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 01 2013 09:38 AM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

While they certainly have needs for position players, there's no denying that they also need a starting pitcher or two. As of now, their rotation is Niese, Gee, and Wheeler.

86-Dreamer Dec 01 2013 10:30 AM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Durable, consistently effective and a style that fits the ballpark. I hope they sign him. . Haren got 1 year/$10. I think Arroyo's durability gets him the second year at around the same annual value.

Mex17 Dec 01 2013 12:45 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Multiple reports are indicating that the Mets are to get more aggressive in pursuing Arroyo. Could be wrong, but this tells me that there may be a deal (or multiple deals) on the table that they like involving Montero. An Arroyo signing can set the rotation up this way: Arroyo Niece Gee Wheeler Mejia -deGrom, Torres, and veteran minor league contract type serving as immediate backups -Syndergaard waiting in the wings This would free up Montero to go in the right package. I am thinking Davis/Murphy/Montero for either Cespedes/Lowrie or Markakis/Hardy? Are those too far fetched? Then, if those moves are made, my thought is. . .just maybe. . .the positive momentum from them could lead to the purse stings being opened for Cruz or Granderson? I'm crossing my fingers.

Edgy MD Dec 01 2013 02:00 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

You 're probably looking too many steps down the road, and for what it's worth, I think Niese still clocks in as the Mets' number one, but yeah.

Zvon Dec 01 2013 02:21 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Edgy MD wrote: I think Niese still clocks in as the Mets' number one, but yeah. Agree with that as it stands now. I like how I read that other teams are signing and re-signing players and the story for the Mets is "Mets Plan To Talk To Someone". Get this done Sandy.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 01 2013 02:41 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Signing Arroyo would fill a hole, not create an excess. It wouldn't necessarily be linked to the Mets dealing a pitcher.

Edgy MD Dec 01 2013 02:52 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Certainly. It would bump out deGrom as the number five starter. The current number four is Mejia, and it's far from certain that he'll be ready to be a viable part of a big league rotation April 1 or thereafter. VBLSs are definitely a need.

Frayed Knot Dec 01 2013 03:30 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Rule #1 about pitching -- there's no such thing as having too much Rule #2 -- if you do have too much, see Rule 1

smg58 Dec 02 2013 07:32 AM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

I'll go on record saying I'm more comfortable with Mejia and Montero filling out the rotation than I am with our current outfield (Chris Young included). Naturally it doesn't have to be an "either or" as far as what we can improve on, but none of us really knows how much the Mets have to spend, and Young and Arroyo's combined salaries would get us one of the front-end outfielders. Not that I'm against adding pitching depth (FK expressed it well), but I'd be looking for 6th stater/long relief types unless I knew I could load up the outfield AND still have significant resources left over to address pitching. Like I've said before, Montero has more AAA experience than Wheeler did at the time of his call-up and pitched significantly better than Wheeler at Vegas. And Mejia pitched very well for us last year while dealing with an injury. Health remains a concern with Mejia, of course, but I don't think of him as a minor-leaguer at this point.

Edgy MD Dec 02 2013 08:06 AM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

smg58 wrote: I'll go on record saying I'm more comfortable with Mejia and Montero filling out the rotation than I am with our current outfield (Chris Young included). Maybe you're right. The problem is that attrition hits much harder in pitching rotations than in outfield units. You've got to get durable vets in place and prepare the rookies to jump in the breach when they fail or go down. Throwing a surfeit of the young and unestablished right out there is a precipitous decision.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 02 2013 08:23 AM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Not so fast... Adam Rubin wrote: NEW YORK -- Shortly after a source indicated New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson planned to meet with free-agent right-hander Bronson Arroyo at the pitcher's home or at the winter meetings, a team official downplayed the interest, saying the club is "not super high" on Arroyo. The team source said the Mets now may or may not meet with the pitcher. Alderson had spoken on Wednesday with agent Terry Bross, expressing interest in setting up an in-person chat at the pitcher's home or at the winter meetings.

Edgy MD Dec 02 2013 08:26 AM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Terry Bross! (Do we have an answer yet on whether he's one of the pitchers with the best WAR/IP?)

Benjamin Grimm Dec 02 2013 08:30 AM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

smg58 wrote: I'll go on record saying I'm more comfortable with Mejia and Montero filling out the rotation than I am with our current outfield (Chris Young included). Naturally it doesn't have to be an "either or" as far as what we can improve on, but none of us really knows how much the Mets have to spend, and Young and Arroyo's combined salaries would get us one of the front-end outfielders. Not that I'm against adding pitching depth (FK expressed it well), but I'd be looking for 6th stater/long relief types unless I knew I could load up the outfield AND still have significant resources left over to address pitching. Like I've said before, Montero has more AAA experience than Wheeler did at the time of his call-up and pitched significantly better than Wheeler at Vegas. And Mejia pitched very well for us last year while dealing with an injury. Health remains a concern with Mejia, of course, but I don't think of him as a minor-leaguer at this point. The problem is the innings limits. Wheeler and Montero (and Syndergaard) won't be allowed to pitch enough innings to get them through the season. I'm not sure, but I think Mejia will also fall into that category. They're going to have to find somebody. It doesn't have to be an expensive multi-year guy like Arroyo (that's at least arguable) but the way I see it, right now Gee and Niese (and maybe Torres) are the only starters who can pitch from April through the end of September. And of course, there's no guarantee that any of them will be able to do that either. There are a lot of innings to be eaten, and not enough diners at this point.

MFS62 Dec 02 2013 09:02 AM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

8:47 am: The Mets are not super high on Arroyo, and a meeting may never take place, according to a team official (Rubin). 8:40 am: The Mets are interested in meeting with Arroyo, but they have yet to set up a meeting with him or his agent (Cafardo). Dueling Bloggers. Wasn't that the theme song from Deliverance? Later

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 02 2013 11:25 AM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Oh, I bet Sandy will take a dinner meeting anyway, if only to meet Terry Bross and Arroyo's co-representative, Chad Kroeger of Nickelback.

Ashie62 Dec 02 2013 06:09 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

8:47 am: The Mets are not super high on Arroyo, and a meeting may never take place, according to a team official (Rubin). 8:40 am: The Mets are interested in meeting with Arroyo, but they have yet to set up a meeting with him or his agent (Cafardo). Dueling Bloggers. Wasn't that the theme song from Deliverance? Later Bloggers speak with forked tongue...

Edgy MD Dec 02 2013 08:25 PM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

Guys, with much love for my blogging brothers and sisters, those guys are professional baseball writers from major metropolitan newspapers.

Edgy MD Dec 06 2013 10:37 AM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

By the way, Terry Bross is something of a pimp.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 06 2013 10:43 AM Re: Let's talk about Bronson Arroyo

I remember hearing that about Uggla... I had no idea it was Bross-related. Ha.