According to FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, the Mets are interested in bringing back reliever, Elmer Dessens, for the 2010 season.
In 2009, Dessens was quite the bargain for the Mets as he had his best year in the big leagues since 2005, posting a 3.31 ERA in 32.2 innings.
His K:BB ratio wasn’t the best (14:10), but he was still able to manage to get hitters out.
The 13 year veteran has compiled a lifetime record of 48-62 throughout his career and has an ERA of 4.53.
According to Bill James’s projections for next year, Dessens should expect to see his ERA inflate a bit to 4.11.
I have no problem with the Mets trying to bring back the 38 year old, however I think that offering anything above a minor league deal would be a huge mistake as the team should work on building around younger players, especially in the bullpen.
To me, the ideal role for Dessens would be a spot in the Buffalo Bisons bullpen. and only be used in the event that one of the relievers on the big league team get injured.
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When I read this title I had to catch my breath. Hopefully this is nothing more than a spring training invite on a minor league deal. By the way, wasn’t Adam Bostick a better choice to bring back? He had a heck of a season in AAA. Happy Thanksgiving Phil!
JOE4M, I SUPPORT THE DESSENS INVITE STAUS ONLY; BUT A BOSTICK INVITATION(IF I RECALLCORRECTLY WOULD REVEAL INTRIGUING SPLITS ELIMINATING HIM AS A LOOGEY, IN MY OPINION VERY TAKASHIIST(DISAPPOINTING). ANOTHER PETERSON 10 MIN BUST!
Thank you Joe, same to you!
Dessens is a quality pitcher with polished skills. He could replace Sean Green as a 7th-inning bridge to 8th-inning setup. He locates his pitches down in the strike zone, changes speeds well keeping hitters off-balance. He has the unique ability to discern a hitter’s weakness from the mound. Dessens is not to be underestimated. As with most older pitchers, he’ll need adequate rest between appearances to keep his arm healthy.
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I do not understand the organization’s handling of Adam Bostick. Why wasn’t he given an opportunity to throw some pitches at the ML level in September? His numbers are improving steadily since we acquired him.
Dessens has a career 4.53 ERA. enough said!
You forgot to add that nobody else in baseball has wanted him for over a year. Elmer belongs in Venezuela as a setup man. I hope Joe is right and this is a minor league deal. Signing someone like this so early in the hot stove has frightening implications for met fans.