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Tuesday, December 09, 2008

N.Y. Observer: Megdal: Mets Buy K-Rod and a Chance to Contend in 2009

Megdal, with his latest (Ok, now back to Fran-pool wanting the Yankees to sign Jon Garland…“He’s better than Burnett!”)

Rodriguez’s age also means he slots in nicely with New York’s other stars. Rodriguez will be 27 on Opening Day 2009, David Wright will be 26, Jose Reyes will be 25, and Johan Santana will have just turned 30—all should be in the peak of their careers. With secondary contributors like John Maine (27), Mike Pelfrey (25), Ryan Church (30) and should he re-sign, Oliver Perez (27) also in the sweet spot of baseball’s aging curve, the Mets will have maximized their chances of cashing in on the best seasons of their core.

And for those concerned about a player’s ability to handle pressure on the big stage of the postseason, Rodriguez even has that going for him. He has pitched to a strong 3.13 ERA in 31 2/3 postseason innings, with a remarkable 41 strikeouts—11.65 per nine October innings.

It isn’t as if it much mattered if a Mets closer could pitch in the playoffs in 2007 and 2008. But K-Rod’s signing makes it far likelier that such a talent will matter for the Mets in 2009.

Repoz Posted: December 09, 2008 at 09:30 PM | 15 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
  Related News: GeneralNY Mets

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   1. Russlan will never be fond of Jason Bay Posted: December 09, 2008 at 09:59 PM (#3024334)
How are they going to tell K-Rod and Duaner Sanchez apart? On the mound it'll be easy because Sanchez has lost his fastball.
   2. Sam M. Posted: December 09, 2008 at 10:00 PM (#3024335)
Rodriguez’s age also means he slots in nicely with New York’s other stars. Rodriguez will be 27 on Opening Day 2009, David Wright will be 26, Jose Reyes will be 25, and Johan Santana will have just turned 30—all should be in the peak of their careers.

Carlos Beltran weeps.
   3. Famous Original Joe C Posted: December 09, 2008 at 10:02 PM (#3024336)
And for those concerned about a player’s ability to handle pressure on the big stage of the postseason, Rodriguez even has that going for him. He has pitched to a strong 3.13 ERA in 31 2/3 postseason innings, with a remarkable 41 strikeouts—11.65 per nine October innings.

Includinig a sparking 0-3, 4.86 line with 9 walks and 13 Ks in 13 innings since 2002.

Which, granted, means absolutely nothing.
   4. Famous Original Joe C Posted: December 09, 2008 at 10:04 PM (#3024337)
   5. Long John McCaine Mutiny on the Bounty (scott) Posted: December 09, 2008 at 10:17 PM (#3024357)
Yeah, awesome. Now if only there was someone in the bullpen who could actually get a lead to him. Sign Juan Cruz, damnit! And Kerry Wood!
   6. HowardMegdal Posted: December 09, 2008 at 10:41 PM (#3024389)
Carlos Beltran weeps.

So do I. He's the outlier, age-wise, among their best players- and he's not exactly 40. But I didn't think it was right to include him as "in his prime" age-wise.
   7. Sam M. Posted: December 09, 2008 at 10:47 PM (#3024395)
But I didn't think it was right to include him as "in his prime" age-wise.

Sure, but nevertheless, he's among "New York's other stars." Probably their best one, in fact. Which is why since he's also the one about to leave his prime, they really ought to be as serious as possible about winning. Now.

Sign Juan Cruz, damnit! And Kerry Wood!

And Tug McGraw! Ya gotta believe!
   8. Russlan will never be fond of Jason Bay Posted: December 09, 2008 at 10:53 PM (#3024400)
I think we all agree that the Mets still need to improve their bullpen but who gets replaced?

Heilman: He was horrible in 2008 but has been a reliable setup man prior to this year.
Sanchez: He had a very inconsistent season but he could be very good if he can get back some velocity on his fastball.
Stokes: He has the best "pure" stuff of anyone on the team but his track record is less than mediocre.
Feliciano: He's more of a LOOGY than a setup man. Even in 2006-2007 when he did well against righties, his peripherals weren't very good.
Schoeneweis: Righthanded pitchers enjoy hitting against him but he still dominates lefties.
Smith: Good ROOGY.

It's going to be interesting to see what Minaya does with these guys.
   9. andrewberg Posted: December 09, 2008 at 11:26 PM (#3024424)
Schoeneweis: Righthanded pitchers enjoy hitting against him


That's pretty faint praise.
   10. Long John McCaine Mutiny on the Bounty (scott) Posted: December 09, 2008 at 11:33 PM (#3024434)
#### that ####### Heilman, if Sanchez comes back strong then it's a bonus, Stokes is meh, Feliciano and/or Schoensuck are fairly reliable loogys, Smith is a fringy roogy.

Closer: K-Rod
Setup: Juan Cruz or Kerry Wood
Short: Will Ohman
Short: Stokes/Sanchez
Short: Smith
Loogy: Feliciano/Schoenweis
Swingman: Heilman

Label them with bright colors so the manager knows not to ever let Schoenweis or Feliciano face a righty.*

* How in Gods name did both of them get nearly as many more at bats vs. righties than lefties last year?
   11. MM1f Posted: December 09, 2008 at 11:35 PM (#3024436)
Geez, I always forget K-Rod is only 26. Hes been around forever.

There are plenty of good relievers they don't even make their MLB debuts til age 26.
   12. Russlan will never be fond of Jason Bay Posted: December 09, 2008 at 11:43 PM (#3024443)
* How in Gods name did he get more at bats vs. righties than lefties last year?

It's not that surprising really. It's not like Manuel wasn't aware of the fact that Schoeneweis can't get righties out at all. But what would happen is that the Mets would waste 4 relievers trying to get 6 outs in an attempt to hold a lead, fail to do so, and then be forced to use SS against righties.

Schoeneweis is a guy who needs the rest of the bullpen to be good for him to be useful. I don't think there's a spot for him and Feliciano on the team.
   13. Long John McCaine Mutiny on the Bounty (scott) Posted: December 09, 2008 at 11:47 PM (#3024448)
That's true. But with Schoenweis signed for another year at 3.5m and him and Feliciano both being death on lefties, I bet he sticks around.
   14. MM1f Posted: December 10, 2008 at 12:55 AM (#3024483)
Don't almost all LOOGYs wind up facing more RHBs over the course of a year?
   15. RB in NYC (Now with New Running Goal!) Posted: December 10, 2008 at 01:22 AM (#3024499)
That's true. But with Schoenweis signed for another year at 3.5m and him and Feliciano both being death on lefties, I bet he sticks around.
3.5 million isn't that much for a LOOGY, Marte just got $4 million from the Yankees. Now admittedly he's better than a LOOGY, but I'm not sure the market sees him that way
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