If you can get K-Rod to take a 4-year deal, I think you make that move. I like him better than Fuentes.

Bobby Jenks is available - three arb years ahead of him!

I like him better than Fuentes.

Other things being equal, give me the lefty in the NL East, and given the composition of the Mets' pen as it stands right now (with -- whether I like it or not -- RHPs Heilman and Sanchez as the likeliest set-up guys for the closer). And even if the pen is re-shaped significantly, they are more likely to be able to find a righty 8th inning guy (Street) to complement Fuentes than a LHP to complement K-Rod. Add in the fact that Fuentes will be cheaper and may be gettable for a shorter deal, and I favor Fuentes.

But the other things are not equal. K-Rod is a lot younger and it's looking like it'll only take one less year to get K-Rod. I also think K-Rod is better.

I like K-Rod much better - superior K rates and also much younger. I don't really like big-time contracts for relief pitchers, but the Mets need big-time bullpen help.

Fair point about the lefty/righty aspects of the bullpen, Sam. K-Rod is pretty darn good against lefties, though:

K-Rod vs lefties, 2008 : 154 PA, 22 BB, 46 K, 227/346/336. Not as good as Fuentes (184/226/245 in only 41 PAs), but I'd still take it against the parade of dangerous lefties in the division. Of course, contract length and $$ will be determining factors, but all else being close to equal, I'll take K-Rod and then find another set-up guy (and, ideally, about five more new relievers).

I certainly wouldn't cry if they signed Fuentes instead, however.

-Rod is a lot younger and it's looking like it'll only take one less year to get K-Rod.

K-Rod is a lot younger, but he's consistently putting more wear on his arm. He's been throwing a few more innings, and taking more pitches to get through them, than Fuentes the last three years:

K-Rod

2006: 73 IP -- 1222 pitches
2007: 67.1 IP -- 1205 pitches
2008: 68.1 IP -- 1174 pitches
Total: 208.2 IP -- 3601 pitches (17.26 pitches/inning)


Fuentes

2006: 65.1 IP -- 1065 pitches
2007: 61.1 IP -- 1005 pitches
2008: 62.2 IP -- 1117 pitches
Total: 189.1 IP -- 3187 pitches (16.83 pitches/inning)

Not a huge difference, but a difference.

Is it taking its toll? Maybe, maybe not, but his K rate did decline quite a bit in 2008, down to the point (10.14 K/9 IP) where Fuentes (11.78) actually had a better one last year. I don't make too much of that, but when you factor in a longer deal for the guy whose stuff may -- may -- be declining despite being younger, and I worry.

To me, K-Rod is the higher upside, but also a riskier choice, at a position where what the Mets need is greater certainty of solid performance. They don't need the best guy in baseball; they just need good. Fuentes is that, and is a better fit because he's a lefty. Since K-Rod is also more expensive, I would prefer Fuentes. The Mets should spend for what they need, which is a very good closer, but should not spend MORE than that. K-Rod is more than they need.

Given the way they're used, I don't think handedness of a closer really matters much. He's coming in for the 9th inning regardless of who's up. In theory, the opponent might have brought in lefties to pinch-hit against the 8th inning guy, but hopefully your closer won't end up facing anyone who batted in the 8th.

Given the way they're used, I don't think handedness of a closer really matters much. He's coming in for the 9th inning regardless of who's up.

Exactly. Which means that if the most dangerous hitters on the teams you're going to face the most and have to beat to win the division are predominantly left-handed, and your closer is GOING to face them because he's "coming in for the 9th inning regardless of who's up,", you'd rather he be left-handed than right-handed. Now, if you happen to develop a Mariano Rivera in your system, fine. You have a RH closer. But if you are choosing between two free agents, it's a reason to pick the lefty.

Not only is Sam right, he deserves a good year from the Mets, after the beating Louisville just took. And yes, I know Rutgers is unstoppable at home. But still.
63-14.
That is all.

Wow, was that gratuitous, Howard.

True, but gratuitous.

In two short years, Steve Kragthorpe has managed to turn the Louisville program from one of the co-powers with in the conference with West Virginia . . . into a shambles. What a debacle. And right now, he has a recruting class with a grand total of eight players committed, currently rated by Rivals.com as the next-to-worst in the Big East. He can't coach, he can't recruit.

Apologies- seriously. I should have been more gracious in victory. You would have been.
But look at it from my perspective- I'm a longtime Rutgers fan. I went into halftime figuring out how Rutgers would manage to eventually lose, 52-49.
I still haven't gotten my mind around the idea that Rutgers is going to a fourth straight bowl game. Or that 7-5, regardless of 1-5, is still a disappointment.
My craziest sports dreams can come true. Next up, Bard basketball!!!

Apologies- seriously. I should have been more gracious in victory. You would have been.

Oh, don't worry. I look at it this way: the more ridicule that is heaped on the program nationally, the more heat that will be placed on Jurich to dump Kragthorpe. Losing two straight years . . . to Syracuse??? Here's my rule of thumb: you can't beat Greg Robinson, you can't coach. Go from 5-2 (after a win over S. Florida) and proceed to lose your last five, and fall out of bowl contention and to last in the Big East? You can't coach.

So please -- don't just post here making fun of U of L football. Write an article, will ya?

So please -- don't just post here making fun of U of L football. Write an article, will ya?

No time: I'm off to pitch my Season on the Brink book focusing on Bard basketball.

For what its worth, K-Rod's declining K rate was not season long. He struck out 41 in 42 innings pre all star break, and then upped it to 36Ks in 26 innings post break.

Aside form his first month, where he had a 9-9 K-BB ratio, he went 68-35 the rest of the way over 57 innings. He had a bad month - don't know why - but the rest was vintage Frankie. Whether that is cause for worry is beyond me to say.

His FIP over the last five years has steadily increased. From 2006 to present, it escalated from 2.77 to 2.78 to 3.26.

His most comparable player on B-R is some guy named Gregg Olson who dominated from age 22 to 26 then disappeared. #2 is Sutter. #3, ironically, is Bobby Thigpen, who sucked after his record setting season. #4 is Chad Cordero. There aren't a lot of good comps for guys who throw a ton of relief innings as such a young age (his motion notwithstanding).

For my money, I'd prefer Fuentes. Give me Fuentes and Putz/Jenks/Street without trading F-Mart and I'm a happy camper.

Street? The Rockies are going to lose Fuentes, and then trade Street too?

Losing two straight years . . . to Syracuse???

You warm-weather midwesterners and shouldn't #### with the Leatherstocking region, we eat snow and #### ice bricks.


I kind of feel that both Fuentes AND K-Rod will break our hearts if signed by us. I currently have no other or better solution, but neither of those guys really gets my blood pumping.

I believe Joel Sherman made this point on his blog and I think it has some merit - K-Rod is a bit of a ham who might be more likely to thrive in NY than Fuentes. K-Rod has been pretty good in the postseason while Fuentes (in limited appearances) has been poor. That might tell us much, but it gives us a little window as to how the pitchers handle the big stage. Normally, I'd discount that sort of thing, but closing is one position where some guys just get spooked and NY only amplifies that possibility. In all likelihood, Fuentes would probably be fine, but I'd rather spend the extra money on K-Rod for the extra certainty that the Mets will be getting production that reasonably approximates what they will be paying for.

Can the Mets spend some effing money? All I hear is that they think all these guys are too pricey. Apparently they are not going after Lowe because he's too expensive, now they might be considering Hoffman because he'll be cheaper. Jesus Christ. Omar needs to take advantage of the tepid demand for FAs and really go to town this offseason. Sign K-Rod for 3-4 years, add a stud setup man (I like Street a lot), pick up Dunn or Abreu on the cheap, and go get a starter that won't break down mid-season (Lowe):

1. Reyes ss
2. Abreu rf
3. Beltran cf
4. Wright 3b
5. Delgado 1b
6. Church/Murphy/Evans LF
7. Castro/Schneider C
8. Castillo (with Murphy putting time here)

1. Santana
2. Lowe
3. Maine
4. Pelfrey
5. Neise

1. K-Rod
2. Street
3. Feliciano
4. Smith
5. Sanchez
6. Parnell
7. Long Man

1. Murphy/Church
2. Evans
3. Castro/Schneider
4. Endy
5. Backup INF

Omar isn't doing diddly until he signs a closer. He takes things one step at a time.

When all is said and done, the Mets will probably end up with Garland, Ibanez and K-Rod. YAY!