Pudge Would Bring a Veteran Presence to the Mets

13 Comments + Add Comment

• MetsMan86 December 10, 2011 at 12:27 pm

  Catcher and SS are two positions where I’d gladly sacrifice offense for defense. Pudge coming to the Mets would be more than welcomed by me. Show the catchers in the system a thing or two about how to play the position. Probably a precursor to what would probably be a coaching career for him.
• Lewis December 10, 2011 at 12:53 pm

  I like this idea A LOT.
• Bayonne Mets Fan December 10, 2011 at 1:00 pm

  Now this would be not only a good move but almost no-brainer. Unless somebody better is available they have to do this. I feel the Mets would get more out of their pitching staff with Pudge and it may even help build their confidence knowing they’re working with a guy like Pudge.

  The Mets need good, solid veteran leadership & presence on this club

  Yes tagee the Mets need some more guys in their 30s on this club and if necessary – 40!
• Joe Diaz December 10, 2011 at 1:08 pm

  Absolutely! Do it already.The man can still play the position and could be like a player coach.He’d have a great influence on the young catchers in the system in training camp.
  I’d much rather have Pudge as the backup over Nickeas.Pudge won’t hit much but he’ll give a better Ab than nickeas will.Plus with the young pitchers maybe coming up mid-season,hes the guy I want catching them.
• FL Met Fan Rich December 10, 2011 at 2:01 pm

  No Thank you!…I do not want to see us bring in old guys past their prime. Look, face it, we are not going to contend and will probably finish last. We can finish last without bringing in has beens!

  Let the young guys play!
  • Bayonne Mets Fan December 10, 2011 at 2:08 pm

    a veteran like Ivan Rodriguez who’s been through things only the Mets young pitching staff can imagine would be an essential addition to any club like the Mets. I don’t buy into all this “kids only” crap. You need veterans. Every team needs veterans, especially veterans like Ivan Rodriguez who can work with this staff and share his years of experience and maybe provide some in-game experiences to facing big hitters in big situations and how to handle it. This can set some kids on the right direction

    An absolutely right move
• Moose December 10, 2011 at 5:13 pm

  How come we have not seen METS across the chest of Ivan Rodriguez yet? This move would do so much for the team 1) Working with both Pitchers confedence 2) help teach the young catchers how to improve there game calling, how to improve there defence and pick off or gun down runners. He would be able to help the pitchers with this also or to hold them on better. Which would help the for confedence and erase there errors of giving up hits. more innings and help the pen to be used less.
  Who there are the fans who said he is to old but for a one year deal incentives defensive and training the young staff for his improvement of it both pitchers and catchers. Could also write something like a coaching position after his career
• martin December 10, 2011 at 5:21 pm

  teams do not need leaders, they need people who are good at hitting or defense.
• Metsie December 11, 2011 at 10:15 am

  The only problem here is that all the defense on the planet will not stop all those SBs given up by Pelfrey!
  But I would be happy to see Pudge on our roster!

  I personally don’t care about his offense because the truth is even if he had it, it would not put a dent into our problems on the offensive side!

  Bringing in the fences might help Wright and Bay turn a few doubles into HRs but it won’t help the BA or the vulnerability to the low outside strikes both him and Bay suffer from and in fact it might actually make them MORE vulnerable as they will both be trying to pull the ball towards those fences as opposed to driving the ball by going with the pitch as they should!
• Alan December 11, 2011 at 10:51 am

  Teams don’t need good leaders? Leadership starts with the manager and in Terry Collins we have a leader based on his showing last season. The team overachieved all things considered.
  I believe it was Casey Stengel who said that every team has some players who are behind their manager, and some who are against the manager. A good manager is one who pulls those undecided players over to his side. This is especially true when a team juggles it’s lineup constantly instead of platooning players.

  As players…. never underestimate the value of a guy who steps up and keeps the other players on their toes by his own attitude and hustle. He must be focused. He has to be willing to stick his nose out to criticize his team mates in a constructive way. Sometimes in private…but sometimes in front of the entire team. Seems like we had that in 1969 with Donn Clendenon and again in 1986 with Keith Hernandez.

  Part of the teams problems over the past few years is a lack of an everyday player who can be the voice of the team and do not be surprised if the Mets bring in a veteran player to set an example and to “whip” some of the younger players in terms of keeping a positive attitude. Pudge Rodriguez would be a great addition and his experience invaluable for the young pitchers, and for polishing Josh Tiole’s game as a catcher.
  • Metsie December 11, 2011 at 11:12 am

    You have to forgive Martin he never watches a game merely how the numbers look in a spreadsheet!

    Managers have no affect, Leadership is not a factor, Team Chemistry is a myth and the stats are all that matter!
    • Jerry Klunek December 11, 2011 at 12:59 pm

      You’re right, just look at how well are country is doing since we elected a non leader. Per your comment even his statistics prove my point,
• Metstheory22 December 11, 2011 at 2:13 pm

  I’ll take Pudge over Paulino.