Baseball reporters and bloggers say the darnedest things.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the Mets should target lefthander Andrew Miller this offseason as a free agent.
An executive who expects to pursue the lefty told Sherman he believes the field will be so crowded that three years at $21 million is probably the ante and that even four years is possible.
Additionally, when asked about free agency last week, Miller minced no words when he said it will be about who gives him the highest offer.
“Being totally honest about it, I have no idea what the offers will be, but it’ll be clear what the options are when it comes down to that,” said Miller. “It’s a situation where you can pick where you want to go but that might not be your best option financially.”
“The reality is — it seems kind of cold — but this might be my chance in free agency. The hope is I get good offers. I feel I’ve put myself in good position to have that.”
So yes, here are the New York Mets and measly payroll flexibility, why don’t they squander it all on Andrew Miller and call it a hot stove season?
Are people freaking nuts?
$30 million and four years potentially on Andrew Miller?
At the July 31 trading deadline this year, the Baltimore Orioles obtained Miller from the Red Sox for minor league pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez.
He had an incredible season, posting a 2.02 ERA over 62.1 innings spanning 73 appearances, and striking out 14.9 batters per nine innings. A career year in his walk year.
But here’s the thing, the Mets can’t afford to take what little they have and put it towards an area that has emerged as a strength.
And what about Josh Edgin, remember him? He’s the 27-year old lefthander who seemingly put it altogether last season and emerged as a very viable lefthander out of the bullpen for us. Edgin posted a 1.32 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with a strikeout rate of 9.2 in 47 appearances.
This is the time of year where you read about idiotic ponderances, rumors with no hint of truth to them, and imaginary conversations with sources and baseball people. It’s called the hot stove season. Don’t get burned.
