Mets Entertaining A K-Rod Reunion

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• Roxio February 1, 2013 at 9:04 am

  Francisco makes more than the rest of the entire bullpen combined.
  • ifthevansrockin February 1, 2013 at 10:53 am

    not that uncommon to see in a pen, where only 1 guy 9the closer) gets paid “big” money.

    of course, sometimes that guy ends up getting bumped out of the role, which is better than letting him keep it if not performing, just because of salary.
• DrDooby February 1, 2013 at 9:16 am

  FF health is unfortunate. It certainly seems a bit risky entering 2013 with him as the only experienced closer type.
  I´d like to take a shot at Jose Valverde who had a brutal late September and October with the Tigers but otherwise has been a very consistent frontline closer for quite some time.
  Or Brian Wilson – though he appears to be doubtful for April, I suppose.
  Jon Rauch also still remains a free agent. Maybe give him another one-year-deal at half the price of 2012 as the “backup” closer. While his stuff is pedestrian, he seems pretty stable mentally for a higher pressure role. Plus without Pelfrey & C.Young, who plays center ?
• TJ February 1, 2013 at 9:24 am

  If Sandy is Mr. Moneybags as he claims, and if he is intent on competing in 2013, as he claims, he and his posse need to do their homework and come back with either Wilson or Valverde, whomever the deem to have the best chance to handle the closer role this season. Time to back up the talk.
  • Met Maniac February 1, 2013 at 9:44 am

    Back up the talk? Alderson? Surely, you jest.
• peter February 1, 2013 at 9:35 am

  Wow, the Mets might get Bourn on 4 year deal without giving up a pick. Three years with an option would be better but this looks like it could get done.
  • jon February 1, 2013 at 9:52 am

    where did you see that?
    • Brandon Butler February 1, 2013 at 9:09 pm

      Yeah, where in the heck did you see that?

      I really hope the Mets don’t go back to K-Rod. I would rather see them get Wilson or Valverde.
  • vigouge February 1, 2013 at 9:33 pm

    Even if they get the clarification and the first rounder is protected they’d still forfeit a second rounder. Not a bad deal because they have an extra pick in the 70′s as compensation for failing to sign the 2nd rounder last year.
• peter February 1, 2013 at 9:39 am

  Supposedly Wilson does not look ready so he to can be risky, unless a minor league deal with extended spring training, maybe come up in May when he is completely ready. If they can get him on a minor league deal then they should get K rod or Valverde as well. That should fortify the bullpen in the late innings. Of course if they get Bourn which supposedly now looks like is gonna happen, then getting Valverde or Krod looks less likely and Wilson on a minor league deal looks more likely.
• srt February 1, 2013 at 9:41 am

  I’m wondering how Edgin would do in the closer roll. SSS I know, but he seemed to have the ability to get outs from both sides of the plate. Not something I can see happening right out of the gate though but just wondering if they’re contemplating it.
  • TX February 1, 2013 at 9:53 am

    Dark Horse Leathersich for the win!!!
  • taskmaster4450 February 1, 2013 at 10:04 am

    I feel he has the makings to be a closer. Reminds me some of Randy Myers.
    • Matt Mosher February 1, 2013 at 7:33 pm

      I like the idea of Edgin closing too. He certainly seems to have the moxie for it.
• peter February 1, 2013 at 9:42 am

  Oh this also just in, Mets looking at Valverde, Wilson and Krod are long shots.
• Hitman February 1, 2013 at 8:12 pm

  Pass on K-Rod please.
  • jerseymet February 1, 2013 at 8:50 pm

    pass
• DMets3 February 1, 2013 at 9:26 pm

  Valverde over K-Rod. K-Rod’s domestic incidents over the last few years has become an issue of him coming back to the Mets.
  • Just-Da-Damaja February 1, 2013 at 9:57 pm

    thats b/c the mets care more about perception than they do performance.

    someone will give k-rod a job.

    that someone will care more about performance than they do perception.
    • Hitman February 1, 2013 at 10:13 pm

      His performance hasnt been all that hot either, so there goes that theory.

      However, you’re right: someone will give him a job.
    • Donal February 1, 2013 at 10:18 pm

      Kind of hard to pitch from central booking.

      And he’s been fairly average and declining the last couple years.
    • TJ February 2, 2013 at 9:07 am

      If KRod would sign for $2 mil today no one would care about his personal issues as long as they don’t land him in the big house. I’ll take Valverde and KRod both, $5 mil guaranteed between them, with incentives. Make it a 4 horse race for closer, and trade away the vets should Familia, Mejia, or Edgin show they can handle more responsibility as the year progresses.
• Fonzie13 February 1, 2013 at 10:35 pm

  They should sign K-Rod for 17.5 million so all the folks who thought keeping him at that price was a smart move can rejoice.
  • hotstreak February 2, 2013 at 7:38 am

    Wheeler for Beltran too. We also get back Pagan. Also a box of chocolates for Reyes and we are set to contend.
    • Fonzie13 February 2, 2013 at 1:58 pm

      Sounds like a plan. 79 wins here we come!
      • jon February 2, 2013 at 7:35 pm

        as opposed to the 63 we will have this year and next
    • Just-Da-Damaja February 3, 2013 at 12:01 am

      LOL

      that would work except…

      the cardinals are trying to win this year…I doubt they trade their most productive hitter for the hope that wheeler turns out to be an ace…

      we could have both beltran and wheeler again as beltran will be a free-agent again this winter…

      but im sure sandy will cook up another reason why beltran is such a risk, so, no need to worry about that…

      And unlike Collins and the Met fans…Angel is quite popular in SF with his manager and the fanbase…

      If we somehow got beltran in the 2014 off-season and Bourn in this one…its possible we could maybe contend in 2014….maybe…

      picture this lineup…

      1 – Bourn
      2 – Tejada
      3 – Wright
      4 – Ike
      5 – Beltran
      6 – Duda
      7 – Murphy
      8 – Travis
      9
• Lareplus February 1, 2013 at 10:49 pm

  Bourn and Hairston together would have made a better outfield. With Bourn alone I don’t see that needed right handed batter coming to the plate that we need.

  I’d hold out for Brian Wilson, even if he gets a late start. Signed for one year with an option for another year, and performance bonuses. .

  When Wilson is good, he’s really good. .
  • Mr North Jersey February 1, 2013 at 10:53 pm

    “I’d hold out for Brian Wilson, even if he gets a late start. Signed for one year with an option for another year, and performance bonuses. .

    When Wilson is good, he’s really good.”

    I read your comment and what stood out to me was that if you replace anywhere that you reference Brian Wilson with Grady Sizemore your comment would still have some validity to it.
• sarge69p February 1, 2013 at 11:00 pm

  I say invite as many as possible, minor league contract with invite to ST, and see where the chips fall, lets see some serious competition for the closer, setup, 7th inning, long man because right now the BP really has not gems; maybe Edgin with some more pitching/experience and Parnell, just need another LH in BP, not go through joke of Ramirez last year that put BP and TC at a disadvantage.

  SA needs to step up and not be obstinate as he was last year with Ramirez supposedly being a LH hitter option.’
  I’m hoping that Parnell takes the job in ST and you still have FF, K-Rod if he makes it to step in plus Hawkins is a more reliable arm for BP too so it seems that BP will finally get some love this spring JoeD, if SA stands by his word.

  OF is what it is so if rotation is good and BP does not blow late leads then at least Mets won’t be a pushover and the young arms, Gee, Harvey, Niese and later Wheeler will be rewarded when their leads are not blown.
  Nothing more demoralizing than to be leading late in game and you have to worry about closing out game.

  Bring on Feb. 13, let the competition begin. Yeah!
  • hotstreak February 2, 2013 at 1:01 am

    Happy Ground Hog Day as this is Our Day All Year.
• Joe February 2, 2013 at 1:23 am

  The Beard, Oswalt, Valverde or Izzy…….Mix N Match baby…..
• DrDooby February 2, 2013 at 2:50 am

  If the Mets somehow add Valverde and Michael Bourn at an acceptable price overall while keeping # 11 overall, the 2013 Mets could actually be more competitive than expected and have a realistic shot at a .500 or better record and at least challenge the aging Phillies for 3rd place in the NL East:
  SP: Santana – Niese – Harvey – Gee – Marcum
  RP: Valverde – FF (if healthy) – Parnell – Edgin – two from the group of Atchison – Feliciano – Hawkins – Burke – Carson – and a long reliever such as Hefner or Laffey

  Lineup:
  Bourn, cf
  Tejada, ss
  Murphy, 2b
  Wright, 3b
  Davis, 1b
  Duda, lf
  Buck, c
  Nieuwenhuis, rf

  Bench:
  Recker, c
  Turner, if
  Hicks or Quintanilla, if
  Cowgill, of
  Baxter, of

  That´s mainly a much improved defense with a Gold Glove CF instead of an average CF and the Nieuwenhuis / Cowgill platoon being above average defensively in RF. The quality of the offense mainly depends on whether Duda, Murphy or Ike Davis hit closer to their 2011 performance or 2012 level.

  And several players such as Valdespin, Familia, McHugh or Mejia get more time on a loaded AAA Las Vegas roster:

  SP: Wheeler – Mejia – McHugh – Gorski – either Hefner or Laffey (whoever isn´t the long reliever spot starter with Mets)
  RP: Familia (I´d switch him here for good right away) – three of the five reliever candidates that don´t stick on the Mets roster – Germen – El.Ramirez – Rice

  Lineup:
  Valdespin, 2b
  Flores, 3b
  D´Arnaud, c
  Brown, lf
  Den Dekker, cf
  Lutz, 1b
  Havens, dh (in a rotation with Lutz – Flores – Dykstra – Valdespin at 1b-2b-3b)
  Lagares, rf
  Quintanilla (or Hicks), ss

  Bench:
  Centeno, c
  Satin, if
  Dykstra, 1b-dh
  Byrd, of
  Hoffman, of

  One of the biggest issues of past seasons was the lack of depth in case of injuries or under-performance. This year, that problem should not exist any longer.

  Of course, Bourn and Valverde aren´t here for now and may never get here. Still, if the price is acceptable, I do think the Mets will have a fighting chance.
  • doekie February 2, 2013 at 4:47 am

    I doubt that the older veterans like Byrd, Hawkins and Atchison will end up in Las Vegas when they dont make the team. I think they will be released. Kind of an unwritten rule that you invite those type of players and cut them if they dont make it. I wouldnt mind if they would stick around though.

    I also think Valdespin will be used as an outfielder. I prefer him at 2nd though.

    Other than that I like the idea of Valverde as the closer on a 1 year deal and Bourn 3 years for $ 12 million a year. If not, so be it and the Mets go with another option in CF.
  • TJ February 2, 2013 at 9:10 am

    Doobs,
    Don’t agree with every player’s role, but I agree with your overall point. This team still has a shot at being competitive, and you never know what can happen in a season. The GM must see to it hat it has no glaring holes, like the CF/leadoff and closer. Give them a chance to break the string of losing seasons…should they fall short, it will make upgradioing in 2014 that much easier.
  • hotstreak February 2, 2013 at 12:06 pm

    DrDooby:

    I try to avoid personal vendettas. However your comment on my post to the effect is starting to look like Metsblog and then and you take up space with hypothetical lineups and have Murphy batting cleanup is a bit too much without a down vote (ala Metsblog) from me.

    To be fair and balanced which I try to be but may not always succeed, your posting of the AAA lineup would receive a “like” if it was posted by itself.

    Have a nice day, and I really me it.
    • hotstreak February 2, 2013 at 12:14 pm

      oops: Should have read: ” I really mean it.”
    • DrDooby February 3, 2013 at 1:33 am

      Got carried away a bit here with the fantasy team – even if it really involves only two players that have been rumored to be added recently.
      As for the “metsblog” comment, don´t even remember the circumstances. I believe it was a reply to a “trade x for y” type of suggestion I considered quite a bit far-fetched.
      Sorry, if it sounded offensive….
• Sach February 2, 2013 at 10:39 am

  I would prefer Sandy try to swing a trade for a younger, very good set-up man that Sandy and his think tank feel might be able to step up to the closer role- somebody like the Indians Vinnie Pestano. To my knowledge, Sandy did try to trade for the Astros Wilton Lopez earlier this offseason but was trumped by the Rockies offer of Alex White & Alex Gillingham.
  • Joe D February 2, 2013 at 10:51 am

    I agree Sach. Wasn’t Pestano reportedly being shopped this Winter? For some reason I recall something about him that I read. I happen to love his make up and he could be a future closer.
    • Hitman February 2, 2013 at 11:13 am

      The Mets were interested in him during the Winter Meetings but talks were shot down for some reason.
• Joey D. February 2, 2013 at 2:43 pm

  If one wants to get past that $17 million vesting clause and look at KRod’s performance even last year, one will see the stats are misleading. He had a stretch of 3 consecutive games in July and 3 out of five in April in which he was ineffective that caused that to happen. Overall, he was much more dependable during the season than any reliever we had for Francisco, Rauch, Rameriez and Parnell each had spurts in which they were ineffective that lasted for at least a month three out of five one month and then three performances in a row three months later.

  Here’s why. In 57 of his 78 appearances he did not give up a single earned run. His ERA became inflated due to that late july when in three straight appearances which totaled just 1.2 innings he was bombed for nine earned runs. Earlier in April he had a stretch in which three out of five performances he gave up two earned runs. All relievers are going to take their lumps during the season. So,take away those combined four innings from the 72 he pitched and his ERA for 72 appearances and 68 innings is 3.44 for more than 92 percent of the other games in which he pitched. It would also mean not giving up an earned run 57 of those other 72 appearances (or 79 percent of the time).

  He also had 32 holds, almost twice as many as anyone on the Mets in which nobody had more than 18. His 32 holds alone is just under one game less than half the total 66 of the entire Mets bullpen.

  As Mark Texiera pointed out in another thread appearing today in MMO, all players are grossly overpaid in a business where even one making his first appearance in the majors gets $480,000. I don’t know of any teacher, cop or fireman with 20 years on the job ever making anything remotely resembling that kind of annual salary.

  And the average annual wage for registered nurses as of 2011 was one fifth that of a rookie so no more harping on that $17 million vesting option where even a kid gets paid five times more than one who is in the business of saving lives. Nobody in baseball – and that includes the owners – deserve the money they get. It’s the market that allows it and there is not one individual in here who would not try to take full advantage of what he or she could get if given the opportunity.

  http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291111.htm

  http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=rodrifr03&t=p&year=
  • Joey D. February 2, 2013 at 2:52 pm

    Meant to say in that first paragraph

    Francisco, Rauch, Rameriez and Parnell each had spurts in which they were ineffective that lasted for at least a month ***NOT*** three out of five one month and then three performances in a row three months later.
• Metsie February 2, 2013 at 3:58 pm

  And another door opens…..This time it’s just a source not even stated as a league or MLB source which is even less credible than the other doors we have opened only to close again….

  I’m starting to agree with Hank maybe they are simply making these noises to get Wilson to come down in price….
  • Joey D. February 2, 2013 at 7:11 pm

    Hi Metsie,

    I think they’re making noise just to make noise.
    • Metsie February 2, 2013 at 10:21 pm

      There is always a reason for noise….
      Either they are trying to foll Wilson, or Valverde or the fans….

      But it’s fooling no one in the end…Just themselves….
      The more times they say they are interested the more thier credibility turns to horse_____
  • srt February 2, 2013 at 7:40 pm

    Maybe….of the 3 though (Valverde, KRod and Wilson), I’d rather them take a chance on Wilson – if he was going to be ready by May.
    • Joey D. February 2, 2013 at 7:46 pm

      Hi srt,

      At this point with the shape we are in and the ones we are acquiring, I too think that things are so bad that we should definitely give Wilson a shot…, Mookie included.
      • DrDooby February 3, 2013 at 1:36 am

        Come to think of it, didn´t Mookie Wilson have pretty heavy splits vs. LHP too ? And he can´t be worse defensively than Duda in LF right now, can he ? What about Preston Wilson too ? He´s still a bit younger (same age as RA Dickey and myself, I believe !) and also hit lefties quite well. And wouldn´t a Mookie & Preston re-union on the field make for some extra PR and sell some tickets ?
        The sad part is, the downgrade wouldn´t necessarily be all that steep…
        • Joey D. February 3, 2013 at 2:13 am

          Hi DrD.,

          Actually, I meant Mookie trying out for the bullpen!

          Come to think of it, they should also give the original great Brian Wilson – the 70 year old leader of Beach Boys – a shot as well. We need all the good vibrations we can get!
    • Metsie February 2, 2013 at 10:22 pm

      Wilson probably has the highest upside…
      But it wouldn’t be bad to have any two of them.
• RickeyBobby February 2, 2013 at 8:30 pm

  Yea i cant see Francisco with an ambtious offseson workout program,,i really hope he’s healthy thou and ready opening day and more effective then last season, it is a contract year so there’s hope. Overall, as much as i want better signings like Valvarde, but at least Alderson is bringing in some vet arms to mix w/the Familia type —I tried to compile bullpen candidates..

  Francisco(if healthy)
  Parnell
  Edgin (unless just horrible spring)
  Burke/Atchinson/Hawkins/Hefner (pick 2)
  Feliciano/Carson/Laffey (pick 1)

  Leftovers – The Young — Familia/ERamirez/BHolt/McHugh…
  The Lefties – SRice/Gorski/Herrera/Bydak
  Contract inv – CTorres/CJames
• Joey D. February 2, 2013 at 10:15 pm

  Valverde, Feliciano, Hawkins, Burke, Carson, Laffey, Atchison……, those seven sound a lot like Young, Capuano, Carasco, Boyer, Byrdak, Beato, Bulhohlz from two winters ago.
• Mr North Jersey February 4, 2013 at 11:46 am

  Looks like Valverde signing with Fish

  @AdamRubinESPN
  Jose Valverde signing with #Marlins, according to @Enrique_Rojas1. So Brandon Lyon looks like final pen piece for #Mets.
  • Metsie February 4, 2013 at 11:58 am

    I prefer Wilson anyway….only affect here as far as I can see is there is one less option to try and chew him down now…