Sep
20
2011

Closing The Deal In 2012

An article by Craig Lerner

Adam Rubin and Jayson Stark of ESPN both posted a great snapshot into what the landscape for potential closers looks like in free agency this offseason.

Earlier today, HoJo reported that Sandy Alderson apparently hasn’t liked what he’s seen from Bobby Parnell, Manny Acosta and Pedro Beato who have all spent time closing out games since the Mets traded Francisco Rodriguez to the Brewers.It sounded very much like Alderson will be looking outside the organization for some late inning relief arms.

The cream of the crop includes Jonathan Papelbon, Heath Bell, Ryan Madson and of course Francisco Rodriguez.

Potential closers who could become free agents if their options are not excercised include Jose Valverde ($9-million option), Joe Nathan ($12.5-million option), Francisco Cordero ($12-million option), Kyle Farnsworth ($3.3-million option), Brad Lidge ($12.5-million option), Jon Rauch ($3.75-million option), Rafael Soriano ($11-million player option).

Jonathan Broxton Relief pitcher Jonathan Broxton #51 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the game at Chase Field on April 12, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks 3-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jonathan Broxton

Other options include Jonathan Broxton, Matt Capps, Frank Francisco, Kerry Wood, Octavio Dotel, Mike Gonzalez, Fernando Rodney, Takashi Saito and Ryan Franklin.

Besides money, which seems to always be the big issue with these new Mets, one other thing that should be considered is that most of the better options will most likely be Type A free agents – meaning that they’ll cost the Mets a first round draft pick in 2012 even if the Mets were to be so bold as to ink one to a deal.

In addition to those relievers mentioned by both Rubin and Stark, I have a couple of relievers I’d like to add to the list who I believe could come cheap and have been effective this season.

RHP’s Dan Wheeler (4.38/1.14) and Todd Coffey (3.59/1.21), and LHP Javier Lopez (2.79/1.29).

About the Author: Craig Lerner

I'm a data analyst and researcher for a leading news agency who loves life and is hooked on the Mets. I love following the Amateur Draft and have a particular fondness for the Mets Minor Leagues who I follow each day. Give me a cold beer, a summer day, and a Mets game, and I'm good to go.

16 Comments + Add Comment

JoeD 1966 September 20, 2011 at 10:22 pm

I hope they won’t give up a 1st rounder to sign a closer.That’s something Omar would do.We need guys who can start games before we worry about who closes them.Groom Mejia!
- OmarFan September 20, 2011 at 11:24 pm
  
  More anti-Omar stupidity from punch drunk Met fans. Punch drunk from the clowns in the media who think keeping 2006 and 2007 1st rd draft picks were more important than finding pieces to help the Mets win the NL EAST.
  
  Talk about stuck on stupid 4 years later..SMH
  - NJ stuck in TX September 20, 2011 at 11:27 pm
    
    When you are 1 or 2 players away, then the whole draft pick thing can take a back seat. When you are 6 or 7 players away… I’m with Joe on this. No sense in going Type A & higher dollar value when there is much work to do in other areas.
    - JoeD 1966 September 21, 2011 at 7:50 pm
      
      Exactly NJ but Omar fan is about as dumb,probably more so than Omar the choke maker.We’re not in a position where we’re one player(closer) away from winning.Why give up 2 picks for a closer when there are always the Joel Hanrahans of the world that a GM not named Minaya can find.But hey the Omar Fan and Omar Minaya way is logical.Spend more than Bush and Obama combined and we should win right? Screw the picks! Omar squared + multiple morons.
    - OmarFan September 21, 2011 at 8:14 pm
      
      NJ…We were 6 or 7 players away in 2006 and 2007? Are you smoking narcotics? Come on, man. Wake up and get your nostrils away from the trash you’re reading in the papers.
      
      If the Wilpons had the SACK, they trade for Manny Ramirez and who knows what happens in the playoffs in 2008.
      - NJ stuck in TX September 21, 2011 at 9:19 pm
        
        I’m talking about this year. And no. Narcotics are illegal.
      - NJ stuck in TX September 21, 2011 at 9:28 pm
        
        And regarding 2006/2007, yeah, they were close, mortgaged the future to put a very NOW team on the field that was good. But they did so at the expense of the farm system and thus could not maintain the level of play they had in 2006-2008. I enjoyed most of the competitive seasons (barring the disastrous endings), as I’m sure most did. But it was bound to end. Aging stars, nothing in the minors, relying on FA pickups and or trades (which is hindered by not having many minor league chips to part with) is not something that leads to long term excellence. Trying to stick to that plan now I guess could work, but again, you’ll see this team go back to the same thing of burning the candle at both ends to stay competitive and end up with no wax and little wick and in a dark time while looking for a new candle. Dumb analogy, but helpful when there is no power in the house.
        
        And yeah, I wanted Manny here too. Wouldn’t have enjoyed the 50 games he would have been suspended for, but whatever. He was awesome for most of that contract.
metsguppy September 20, 2011 at 10:22 pm

I don’t see the Mets signing a Type A free agent closer and giving up a draft pick. It doesn’t seem to fit with what they have been do this season. Really without a good starter or two I don’t see the need. Mets should worry about improving their bad starters and getting a replacement for Pelfrey next year. 5 innings so far tonight, 10 hits 5 ER woot!
- NJ stuck in TX September 20, 2011 at 11:11 pm
  
  I used to throw love E. Jax way. No more. He’s another Pelfrey in sheep’s clothing. And Pelf… to the curb!
  - Metstheory22 September 21, 2011 at 8:46 am
    
    The only thing he does better than Pelfrey is hit the ball and run. He is fast for a pitcher.
Lifelongmetsfan September 21, 2011 at 6:51 am

We do not sign Reyes but yet sign a closer for what we would have paid Rodriquez.
any September 21, 2011 at 7:55 am

Unless it is a guy like nathan on an incentive heavy deal, I don’t expect (and did not interpret his comment to mean) that they will be going big on the FA market for a marquee closer. More like they would be picking up some more arms to try out, maybe a current set up man, via a trade (or lower level FA signing.

And Madsen is a FA? Could have sworn the Phils locked him up, but I suppose that contract could be running out.
- NJstuckinTX September 21, 2011 at 8:21 am
  
  If his option is declined, then his status as type A/B doesn’t come into play, correct?
  - metsaddict77 September 21, 2011 at 10:52 am
    
    eh, who needs a closer when ur not winning.
Sane Mets Fan September 21, 2011 at 11:07 am

With the way the team is probably going to pan out next year, just bring back Izzy as the closer. He won’t need a high salary or cost a draft pick. Maybe in the meantime someone can be developed. Worst case scenario, we sign someone when the time is right.
Lifelongmetsfan September 21, 2011 at 11:46 am

I can close. Closed bathroom door this morning.. closed my medicine cabinet..
closed my refrigerator.. closed my front door… car door? closed that mutha F’er like an All_Star!
Sign me up! I’ll close cheap.

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	23	18	.561	-
Nationals	23	19	.548	0.5
Phillies	20	22	.476	3.5
Mets	16	23	.410	6.0
Marlins	11	31	.262	12.5

Last updated: 05/18/2013

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