Mets Announce Minor League Deal With RHP LaTroy Hawkins

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• Padilla January 31, 2013 at 6:41 am

  Whoa! Where are all the comments about the great move! Did the fax machine in Queens break?
  • Metsie January 31, 2013 at 7:50 pm

    They are still in a strategy meeting over how to respond to the notion that the Wilpons didn’t limit spending Sandy did…..

    Once they come up with bullet points they can use they will reply to this as well…
  • Kay February 1, 2013 at 7:55 am

    Have you actually ever posted an opinion on a thread or are you just here to insult people, and start crap. Sorry your life is so unfulfilled.
• DrDooby January 31, 2013 at 8:24 am

  Sure. Why not. Provides more depth & options.

  Bullpen Picture for now:
  Closer: Francisco (if healthy)
  Setup 1: Parnell
  Setup 2: Edgin
  Setup 3: Atchison (if healthy) or Hawkins (if healthy) or Burke
  LOOGY: Feliciano (if healthy) or Carson or Gorski
  MR RH: Familia or Mejia (or Burke / Hawkins / E.Ramirez)
  Long relief / spot starter: Hefner or Laffey or McHugh
  • jon January 31, 2013 at 8:57 am

    thats some bullpen. Do you think it is possible that we could sign someone who isnt injured or have obvious health concerns. Or would that cost actual money. Plus whether fransisco is healthy or not he still sucks.We talk about the outfield being bad but this bullpen looks to be horrible.again and with so many health concerns in the rotation plus innings limits they will be pitching a lot!
    Also of note, you have to give Alderson credit for being able to stand up in front of crowds and tell us John Buck is a first rate catcher. Outside of figgins and bay last year was possibly the worst player in MLB. Nobody gives up more at bats than that guy.
    • taskmaster4450 January 31, 2013 at 9:03 am

      You just showed your true colors….you who who actually cost money. That is it to you. As long as they come with a nice price tag, then it is a good signing. So nobody works out unless they have a hefty salary or have experience. Young guys never come up and produce unless they are heralded like Bryce Harper.

      As for Buck, you ought to love him, he costs $6M a year.
      • jon January 31, 2013 at 9:17 am

        Grow up
        Bullpen looks to be another winner assembled by our money genuises
    • DrDooby January 31, 2013 at 9:43 am

      It´s rarely a good idea to throw money at a bullpen.
      The Braves & Nationals both had great bullpens last year – at less cost than any Mets bullpen over the past 10 years. And except for 2006, I can´t remember a recent season where a Mets bullpen was an asset.

      Unlike the outfield, the bullpen should take care of itself rather quickly.
      With a plethora of pitching coming up through the system, this longterm problem should be fixed over the next year or two.

      While I can´t really name any individual who is a lock to be successful, the sheer number of options makes it highly likely that several formidable relievers should emerge from within in due time. And instead of spending lots of money on a solid reliever like Brandon League, the Mets are better off handing out minor league deals to a bunch of candidates here.
    • Donal January 31, 2013 at 7:17 pm

      “Do you think it is possible that we could sign someone who isnt injured or have obvious health concerns. ”

      That type of pitcher is known as a starter. Most guys go to the bullpen for a reason.
      • Jon February 1, 2013 at 8:21 am

        So all relievers are injured. You’re a class ‘A’ idiot.
        • Donal February 1, 2013 at 9:19 am

          Most (not all) have a health or stamina (or they just never learned enough pitches) that prevents them from being adequate starters.

          The vast majority of relievers are damaged goods.

          And hey, thanks for the personal attack without any actual comment on my point. That really is adding to the conversation and I’m so glad everyone can see it.
• TRS86 January 31, 2013 at 8:35 am

  I like this move. He’s very experienced… VERY and along with Pedro could be great mentors to guys like Edgin and the kids.
• srt January 31, 2013 at 8:47 am

  I have honestly lost track of all the arms we’ve signed to the minors – and who all has an invite to ST. Think it’s going to be quite crowded at PSL.
  • ifthevansrockin January 31, 2013 at 9:21 am

    good. The more competition in ST for pen and OF spots the better.

    at this point, no clue what the actual depth chart is,if there even is one.

    decent mix of wily veterans and young power arms though. Just need to pick the right ones, and have plenty of replacements waiting in Vegas (and bingo) in case they don’t make the grade.
• Peter January 31, 2013 at 9:46 am

  It is a good move nothing eye popping. It is a long season and by signing these guys you are able to move guys up and down throughout the year. The youngsters have options and could be moved up and down, and if a vet or two accepts a minor league deal then they can also be moved up and down. Keeps the pen fresh.

  On a side note I like Burke the best out of that group to make the team. Not great against lefties but with the new sidearm delivery he is extremely good against right handed hitters. Might be a Chad Bradford we got here.

  Bullpens are kind of crap shoots, I am sure everyone had Pedro Strop and JIm Johnson doing there thing over there in Baltimore.

  And who the hell where these guys? Aside from Soriano who honestly stunk before last year on his deal and was hurt, can you guys really say these are big house hold names that cost a ton of money? Probably not, but both Baltimore and Yanks bullpens where very good, and Baltimores particularly helped them big time to get to the playoffs.

  D. Robertson
  B. Logan
  C. Rapada
  J. Chamberlain
  C. Eppley
  A. Warren
  C. Cabral

  The bullpen will be much better this year just because of the lefties brought in and young ones ready for a full season. Lots of depth there and the lack of that last year killed the pen. Right handed pitchers had to pitch in situations where they where set up to fail. Edgin, Carson, and Feliciano help big time. In this division you got some tough left handed hitters and you will need two or three in the pen to get out or certain situations. Brybak got killed last year and was used way to often. I would not be surprised to see all three lefties make the team or be in the pen at the same time for certain teams throughout the season.

  Parnell has been very good the past two years. Francisco is usually a consistently good pitcher, though probably better suited for 7 th or 8th inning. He needs to be healthy and he should be productive. Hopefully they sign Wilson, Krod or Valverde to compete at closer and add depth at the back end of the pen.

  Famillia has closer stuff and could be a big bright spot if he makes the team. Mejia is also there with if needed with Hefner and Laffey. Then you just hope a vet or two make the team to solidify it.The thing is they are adding lots of depth possibly and that will help throughout the season, again something we did not have. Bullpen could actually be a bright spot.

  Who did you know in this pen before last year???? I know three or four guys and they are not household names. Balfour is a good pitcher, Nehshek was always good nothing mind boggling, Resop I knew, and Blevins. Get where I am going. The youngsters Cook and Doolittle came up and where very very good. And the vets did there thing. Bullpens can be a year to year thing so I will wait for the season to get going before I start knocking it because potential. I do think they need to add that closer type at the back end though.

  G. Balfour
  R. Cook
  J. Blevins
  J. Norberto
  S. Doolittle
  T. Blackley
  P. Neshek
  C. Resop
  E. Scribner
  P. Figueroa
  J. Chavez
  • neekerbreeker January 31, 2013 at 11:00 am

    Peter,
    Neshek was phenomenal in 07 before he got hurt — 2.94 era, 74 k’s in 70 innings. He was really tough to hit (& he was even better the 2nd half of 06). He’s got that funky side-arm delivery that’s murder on right handed hitters. Also, for a side-armer he throws really hard. I always thought if he stayed healthy he’d be unbelievable but with that crazy delivery and as hard as he throws he may have a few more TJ surgeries waiting for him down the road.
• Brandon Butler January 31, 2013 at 9:50 am

  Anytime the Mets can get a veteran reliever on a minor-league deal, I don’t have a problem with it.
  • Hitman January 31, 2013 at 4:04 pm

    According to MLBTR, the Mets are not done getting relief help so hopefully, there’s more to come. Okajima just hit the FA market and I wouldn’t mind picking him up on a minor league deal with a ST invite.
• neekerbreeker January 31, 2013 at 10:47 am

  I remember this guy WAY back with the Twins. He was Parnell like back then, great stuff with the occasional melt-down. I understand he’s gone on to bigger & better things, but first impressions …
• Donal January 31, 2013 at 7:16 pm

  I like that they are loading up on relievers. At the very least, guys wil be hungry and if they are hurt or not performing, we can move on.
• Joe January 31, 2013 at 7:50 pm

  Brian Wilson, Matt Capps, Valverde…..

  Pick 2 and lets head to spring training !
  • jessep January 31, 2013 at 8:07 pm

    Capps signed with Cleveland
  • Hitman January 31, 2013 at 8:33 pm

    Mainly, I’d roll with Wilson and Lyon. The rest? Minor league deals (Contreras, Perez, Okajima, Loe, Devine, Jenks).
• Metsie January 31, 2013 at 7:53 pm

  Well if someone tells me we didn’t sign half our draft picks because there was no room to put them anywhere in the system I am going to point to this and ask if we are so chock full of Minor Leaguers why do we sign more of these guys the rest of the MLB had given up on and take up all the room our Picks could use?
  • The real cactus February 1, 2013 at 2:39 am

    Too cheap to find a better writer for your comments, Metsie?
    • Metsie February 1, 2013 at 2:31 pm

      Nope I don’t need to hire anyone….
      Unlike you who ran out of creativity the second you came up with that made up name to avoid the ban list your on….
• Joey D. January 31, 2013 at 11:57 pm

  How much more convincing does one need to understand the priority of this franchise is to keep it financially solvent when teams like the Indians and Pirates make more concrete free agent signings than we do?

  That is what one should expect when the market value of the team has gone down in percentages of four and sixteen the past two years. I do not know of any team that wanted to rebuild around a core of youth for long-term success take these types of measures to achieve it except for those that had less interest in re-investing in their teams and just kept the profits in their pockets.

  http://espn.go.com/mlb/freeagents
  • TexasGusCC February 1, 2013 at 12:25 am

    Joey, we hear you. We agree with you, it’s obvious. What do you want us to do, boycott the season? Come to think of it…
  • TRS86 February 1, 2013 at 8:10 am

    Really, so those two teams just signed their face of the franchise to 138M contract and traded for a catcher that cost 6M?
• DrDooby February 1, 2013 at 4:10 am

  I´d be a lot more comfortable regarding the bullpen shortterm if another reliever with closing experience were to be picked up. FF health seems very much in question. And Parnell hasn´t exactly proven that he´s suited best for a 9th inning role.
  Valverde – KRod – Wilson, sign one of these three candidates and at worst you may have an interesting trade piece come mid-summer.
  None of them will command more than a guaranteed deal of 4 million $, maybe with a few incentives at this point, maybe even less.
  • doekie February 1, 2013 at 4:22 am

    Dont know the status on Wilson’s injury but I read that he will not be ready before June. Do you still want to guarantee him $ 4 million. I would if a team option for the same $$ is included for next year. Otherwise I would go with KRod – Valverde – Wilson in that order.
    • DrDooby February 1, 2013 at 9:11 am

      If Wilson isn´t ready and Valverde not deemed a fit, heck, bring back Jon Rauch who also is a free agent with closing experience.
      Not sure I´d want K-Rod and his domestic violence issues back, though in the end, if that issue is under control, he´d still be an okay choice.
    • Metsie February 1, 2013 at 2:32 pm

      No one seemed to have a problem when it was Young who wasn’t going to be ready to start the season did they?
• Kay February 1, 2013 at 7:59 am

  I remember being taunted early on by Yankee Fans at their stadium at a Mets/Yankees game they were going to CRUSH us, then watched Carlos Delgado hit a grand slam, then a 3 run homerun of La Troy Hawkins.

  When they left early, I said, “Come on, What kind of fans are you leaving early, especially since you are going to crush us today.”
  • Metsie February 1, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    Please repost this Memory Kay the next time someone says Omar ruined this team with all his free spending ways and signings…..

    In the last two years the only memory anyone will have is:
    Reyes winning the batting title
    Johan pitching a No No
    Dickey winning the Cy Young

    And by this time next year NONE of those players will be here…Cause Johan is as good as gone as soon as someone shows any interest.
• TRS86 February 1, 2013 at 8:12 am

  Speaking of trying to dig up scrubs:
  The Orioles watched left-hander Arthur Rhodes throw today at Camden Yards, Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports (Twitter link). The 43-year-old Rhodes didn’t pitch in 2012 but is looking to continue his 20-year Major League career. Rhodes was drafted by the O’s in 1988, played for the team from 1991-99 and currently lives in Baltimore.

  The Orioles also recently worked out utilityman Fernando Tatis, Connolly tweets. Tatis hasn’t played in the majors since 2010 when he made 72 plate appearances for the Mets before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. Tatis, 38, played for the Orioles in 2006 and has also suited up for the Mets, Expos, Cardinals and Rangers during his 11-year career.
  • Metsie February 1, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    Yes but they are a playoff team so them signing fill ins is not as rediculous as it is on a team like us who HAS holes and is trying to fill them with the same scrubs the Orioles are signing as depth.
    And we are making that depth into our starters.