Jul
14
2011

MetsBlog’s Michael Baron On K-Rod Trade, Closer Options, Upcoming Homestand and More…

An article by Former Writers

Earlier today I had the pleasure of being joined by MetsBlog.com blogger, Michael Baron on my radio show “Mets Talk Live! Wright or Wrong?!? and he has a lot to say on the K-Rod trade as well as the Mets going forward in 2011 and beyond.

Here is what Michael had to say on Sandy Alderson’s conference call earlier today regarding the K-Rod trade:

JS: Hey Michael, I saw the news break last night on the K-Rod trade via twitter, I doubled take and had to look it up. I didn’t really see anything but sure enough within minutes it was confirmed the closer had been dealt to the Brewers. What’s been the feeling around the Mets concerning the trade?

MB: Just in talking about the conference call, Sandy Alderson said that the option vesting was just one of many the factors in trading K-rod, I have to believe it was a larger factor than he made it out to be. He’s doing the right thing by not making a big deal of that option, I’ve been saying it all along, and as you mentioned it on your show, it wouldn’t have mattered whether they were ten games up or ten behind, from a financial standpoint this was the absolute right move to make in my opinion.

Also, here’s what Michael had to say on replacing Rodriguez:

JS: As far as replacements go for K-Rod is Bobby Parnell the first man up?

TB: He’s certainly the strongest candidate on paper, I don’t necessarily believe they are going to stick with Parnell whether they win or lose. If he doesn’t perform I think they will look for someone to fill those shoes. Okay, he throws 100 MPH but he has had his share of command problems. He’s thrown great of late, but he has to be a shut down pitcher in the 9th inning, if he can’t prove he can do that than Terry Collins probably won’t stick with him. They have Jason Isringhausen, but he’s struggled over the past month or so, and it still remains to be seen whether he’s going to remain a Met in three weeks. I think there’s still a lot we don’t know, but we’ll have a better idea when Terry Collins and Pitching Coach Dan Warthen speak at their press conference tomorrow before team work outs at Citi Field.

Hear what else Michael had to say about the Mets moving forward in 2011 and beyond. Topics include, Michael’s grading of the Mets to this point in the season, Carlos Beltran’s future as a Met, the Mets seven game home stand following the All-Star break, and Jose Reyes’ impending free agency.

If you’d like to listen to this and everything else Michael had to say concerning the Mets here’s the link:

Mets Talk Live! Wright or Wrong?!?

About the Author: Former Writers

10 Comments + Add Comment

MetFan Lou July 14, 2011 at 8:36 am

I understand the reason for K-
rod’s trade and I have no criticism in that regard, HOWEVER, if this was in their plans why didn’t the Mets try other relievers in the closer roll. Maybe they couldn’t because K-Rod’s value to other teams may have taken a hit if he wasn’t closing a lot, BUT now where does this leave the METS for the second half? We play a lot of close games and if this closer situation isn’t resolved within a week or so of starting the second half (especially with Wright, Davis and Santana out and a Beltran trade imminent (in my opinion) and let’s not forget the newest injury to Reyes) I fear we will sink further into the division abyss! What’s the chance we can got a closer for Beltran?
Justin Silberman July 14, 2011 at 8:46 am

I think if Beltran goes it’s for prospects, I don’t see this regime bringing back major league guys for Beltran. Also, I believe the Mets will be auditioning both Parnell and Beato for the closer’s role, if they struggle then maybe this off-season Alderson and his regime find someone via free agency or trade but for now I think the Mets address the problem in-house.

I don’t think this will be as big a problem losing K-rod as many think. He’s a bit overrated to me and was struggling for a time there. It will certainly be interesting to see the makeup of Parnell and if he can close down games in the 9th to start.
- MetFan Lou July 14, 2011 at 9:15 am
  
  I agree with you but Parnell seems too wild to me to be a closer. I am afraid that in a one or two run game with runners on base, he;ll throw that wild pitch. I think he is a better set-up guy. Same pitcher but maybe less pressure.
  - Justin Silberman July 14, 2011 at 12:15 pm
    
    I thought the same thing earlier in the year, but since he has come off the DL is pounding the strike zone and getting ahead in the count. His slider is finally sliding and he can throw it for strikes and even when he doesn’t throw it for a called strike it appears to be a strike so he makes hitters swing at it. We’ll see I’m very intrigued to see what Parnell has and if he can handle this closers gig.
    - MetFan Lou July 14, 2011 at 7:12 pm
      
      Thanks for the insight. Good info.
      - Justin Silberman July 14, 2011 at 7:39 pm
        
        No problem. My pleasure.
alex68 July 14, 2011 at 9:02 am

justin: who is michael baron??????
- Justin Silberman July 14, 2011 at 12:14 pm
  
  He’s a sports photographer, but more notably he’s Matt Cerrone’s right hand man over at Metsblog.com. He’s credentialed and always has the inside scoop. Very nice guy, very knowledgeable it was a treat to talk Mets with him yesterday.
  - alex68 July 14, 2011 at 3:31 pm
    
    ahh, thanks justin, i thought it was cerrone running the blog himself.. thanks bro
Justin Silberman July 14, 2011 at 3:43 pm

No problem. Yeah check out his stuff, he’s really good at what he does.

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