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Is anyone fairly enthusiastic about Soler?

old original jb May 25 2006 12:46 PM

Just asking.

Willets Point May 25 2006 12:46 PM

Cautious optomism.

Hillbilly May 25 2006 12:49 PM

Sure, lets see what he's got for a few more turns. Maybe he sticks and moves up the rotation.

Johnny Dickshot May 25 2006 12:55 PM

I thought he looked better last night, in an overall general sense, than Brian Bannister ever did. Hell yuh I'm on board.

Rotblatt May 25 2006 12:57 PM

Yes. I think he might be a decent back of the rotation guy. If he starts hitting low 90's with regularity, maybe more than that.

Edgy DC May 25 2006 12:58 PM

Pretty optimistic. Why not? Jumping from AA and all. Jumping in against a good offense while hardly having seen anything like major league hitting thus far. If you believe the game account of our fellow posters, he has El Duque's tendency to throw any pitch at any time, which I always liked. The two of them on a team together might help, or at least be interesting. Not that Yoshii and Nomo blew anyone's minds pitching in the same rotiation. I'm more optimistic about him than about Hernandez, I think.

holychicken May 25 2006 01:06 PM

He is going to win 20 games this year. You heard it here first.

Edgy DC May 25 2006 01:08 PM

Um, OK! Prediction archives, have at it.

MFS62 May 25 2006 01:10 PM

When he loaded the bases with nobody out, I had a Koosman Karma flashback. That's what Jerry did in his first major league start (against SF). But he got out of the inning with no runs scored. But other than minor details, we're dealing with karma here, so I'd answer "hell yeah, I'm excited about him." He looks like he knows how to pitch and doesn't get rattled. Later

Rockin' Doc May 25 2006 01:12 PM

I sure like him a hell of a lot better than Lima. Of course, I guess that isn't really much of an endorsement. Hard to make a fair assessment on the basis of a single start, but he showed enough ability to offer hope for the future. I'm cautiously optomistic, that he can be a decent fifth starter this season. We'll know more after seeing him out the another start or two.

Elster88 May 25 2006 01:13 PM

]Is anyone fairly enthusiastic about Soler? Yes

old original jb May 25 2006 01:15 PM

Ok. Does anyone think he may have a bigger upside than Benson or Zambrano?

Rockin' Doc May 25 2006 01:18 PM

Zambrano - Yes Benson - Maybe, but a little soon to tell.

Hillbilly May 25 2006 01:19 PM

I like him a lot more than I ever liked Seo.

Edgy DC May 25 2006 01:21 PM

]Ok. Does anyone think he may have a bigger upside than Benson or Zambrano? He definitely has a bigger backside than either of them.

RealityChuck May 25 2006 01:38 PM

Cautiously optimistic. He showed competence and may be an innings eater, but it's too early to be sure.

Rotblatt May 25 2006 01:58 PM

old original jb wrote: Ok. Does anyone think he may have a bigger upside than Benson or Zambrano? An interesting question. I think Zambrano had a bigger upside than Benson--I mean, his stuff was just nasty--but he never came close to realizing that upside. Benson, on the other hand, had decent but not great stuff but has made the most of it. Well, he's made SOMETHING out of it, anyway. So I guess to answer your questions, I think he may have a bigger upside than Benson, but not Zambrano.

Elster88 May 25 2006 02:35 PM

After Floyd's son comes back I'd MUCH rather see him and Soler get some more starts at the ML level then see El Duque start. There's no way in the world that Willie has the brains to do this one....but once everyone's healthy I'd rather see El Duque in the pen until either Bannister or Soler proves they don't have the ability to start. What do you think, CPFers?

ScarletKnight41 May 25 2006 02:38 PM

Willets Point wrote: Cautious optimism. Same here. Not comfortable yet, but hopeful.

holychicken May 25 2006 02:38 PM

Edgy DC wrote: Um, OK! Prediction archives, have at it. Uh oh. I was under the impression that noone remembered predictions. D'oh!

MFS62 May 25 2006 02:39 PM

88, not a bad idea. His funky delivery and funky stuff would be a change in "look" from whatever pitcher he replaces. He might be effective once through a batting order. IIRC he was effective in that role for the Chisox. Later

Frayed Knot May 25 2006 03:33 PM

holychicken wrote: He is going to win 20 games this year. You heard it here first. And last. The encouraging thing about last night is that while Soler's main problem was the 1st inning walks (duh!) his overall control in his brief minor legue stint was excellent - leading you to believe that it was mostly a case of settling in rather than an ongoing concern. And while I'm still not wild about the El Ducky trade (I always hated that nickname too, but, like ARod, his actual name takes too long to type) we have - or will soon have - the pick of Ducky, Soler, Maine, Bannister & Gonzalez to cover those 4th & 5th slots in the rotation which certainly sounds better than how things were a week ago.

Elster88 May 25 2006 03:43 PM

I'd remove Gonzalez from that list of potential 5th game starters. He belongs on the emergency last-minute resort list.

holychicken May 25 2006 03:49 PM

He is going to win 20 games this year. ]And last. Or so you thought! MUAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA

Frayed Knot May 25 2006 03:50 PM

He is the last resort as far as I'm concerned but he was also the last resort coming into the season but that's what 3 simultaneous injuries plus a drug suspension will do to a rotation. Also, Maine and especially Bannister are NOT ready yet so he's not quit as far down the pecking order as you'd like.

The Big O May 25 2006 07:38 PM

MFS62 wrote: He looks like he knows how to pitch and doesn't get rattled. I liked what the radio guys seemed to be blathering about him. They commented that he didn't smile much, even after pitching his effective innings. Don't know if that's part of his general demeanor or if he was just upset about the top of the 1st. I think they said he was fist-pumping a lot. They (baselessly?) speculated that it seemed he was going to be driven to become a better pitcher, even if he has some moderate success. Ya like to see a guy who won't rest on his laurels.

Spacemans Bong May 25 2006 11:53 PM

I remember it being a fairly big coup when the Mets signed him so you have to think he's got stuff.

Frayed Knot May 25 2006 11:57 PM

He pitched for the Cuban National team at one point which made him at least a potential "get" at the time of his signing. But Cuban pitchers have been a mystery since they've been arriving; some good, some bad, and some ugly. We just traded for the one who's been the most successful to date - even though that date may have expired by this point.

Elster88 May 26 2006 09:55 AM

Elster88 wrote: After Floyd's son comes back I'd MUCH rather see him and Soler get some more starts at the ML level then see El Duque start. There's no way in the world that Willie has the brains to do this one....but once everyone's healthy I'd rather see El Duque in the pen until either Bannister or Soler proves they don't have the ability to start. I really like this idea, but it got stuck on the page before this one.

soupcan May 26 2006 10:02 AM

Elster88 wrote: After Floyd's son comes back I'd MUCH rather see him and Soler get some more starts at the ML level then see El Duque start. There's no way in the world that Willie has the brains to do this one....but once everyone's healthy I'd rather see El Duque in the pen until either Bannister or Soler proves they don't have the ability to start. Why would you think that's out of the question? I'm thinking that that IS the plan. If Soler continues to impress he should keep starting. Bannister showed no reason to take him out of the rotation when healthy and El Duque is a proven bullpen commodity. It's logical, and I'd be more surprised if it didn't happen. And I'll add that if Bannister or Soler do falter in the rotation that with the addition of Duque in the 'pen Heilman should be the first option of those two for a starting role.

Elster88 May 26 2006 10:10 AM

I figured for sure that Met management had planned for El Duque to remain in the rotation after Bannister returned and that Soler would go back to the minors.

sharpie May 26 2006 10:13 AM

I think Soupcan is right: they've got some time to evaluate things til Bannister gets back. I haven't heard anyone from Mets management say that he is a lock to remain in the rotation.

soupcan May 26 2006 10:21 AM

Elster88 wrote: I figured for sure that Met management had planned for El Duque to remain in the rotation after Bannister returned and that Soler would go back to the minors. If Soler continues to pitch well why send him down? Send the bullpen-experienced Duque to the 'pen and keep Soler starting. When Bannister comes back ship Bell back down.

Frayed Knot May 26 2006 10:23 AM

Bannister's also got to be a month or so away at this point. Rest was the prescription for his latest hammy setback so he's still got to go through the rest - rehab - minor league starts cycle again before they can even think of re-installing him. Lots of stuff can happen between now and then. I doubt there's any kind of even semi-solid concrete plans for him.

Elster88 May 26 2006 10:38 AM

soupcan wrote: ="Elster88"]I figured for sure that Met management had planned for El Duque to remain in the rotation after Bannister returned and that Soler would go back to the minors. If Soler continues to pitch well why send him down? Send the bullpen-experienced Duque to the 'pen and keep Soler starting. When Bannister comes back ship Bell back down. Well, that's exactly what I said. But I am doubting Willie and Omar's wisdom when a "winner" who can "handle New York" joins the team.

soupcan May 26 2006 10:59 AM

Elster88 wrote: ="soupcan"] Elster88 wrote: I figured for sure that Met management had planned for El Duque to remain in the rotation after Bannister returned and that Soler would go back to the minors. If Soler continues to pitch well why send him down? Send the bullpen-experienced Duque to the 'pen and keep Soler starting. When Bannister comes back ship Bell back down. Well, that's exactly what I said. But I am doubting Willie and Omar's wisdom when a "winner" who can "handle New York" joins the team. I know that's what you said, I was doubting your doubting.

SI Metman May 26 2006 05:13 PM

Best Case Scenario - Livan Hernandez circa 1997. These Cuban pitchers have a knack for coming out and having outstanding Rookie Seasons.