According to MLBTR: Mariners On Verge Of Signing Chone Figgins
The deal is rumored to be for 4/36. That’s a high price to pay for Figgins in my opinion. He is a guy who I love his speed and OBP but to me is like an amped up version of Castillo and as he gets older may resemble him more and more.
But anyway, this matters to the Mets because they were at one point interested in Figgins for 2B or for LF with potential to play 2B. How else does this impact them? It has been rumored that Seattle is in on Lackey. With Figgins going to a rival team will the Angels now step up their efforts to re-sign Lackey to keep up with Seattle? It’s easy to forget that the M’s won 85 games last year and could be a move here or there away from jumping back into competition with the Angels. For sure having Figgins and Ichiro at the the top of their lineup is a start.
Thanks to Whataputz for letting us know the news.
106 comments
GravediggerHebner
12/4/2009-3:09pm at 3:09 pm (UTC -4)
As with so many available free agents, I have read conflicting reports about the Angels and whether they are interested in retaining Lackey or not.
The overriding theme of many of those reports was that the Angels wanted to retain EITHER Figgins OR Lackey but would not budget for both. If Figgins to Seattle turns out to be true, I personally believe the answer to your question “will the Angels now step up their efforts to sign Lackey” is “yes.”
trs86
12/4/2009-3:13pm at 3:13 pm (UTC -4)
I agree, either that or they get Wolf AND get in the market for Holliday or Bay. Rumor is the M’s are still on the market for Lackey and Bay (assuming not both) as well as Molina.
stickguy
12/4/2009-3:14pm at 3:14 pm (UTC -4)
Fine by me. One more guy off the list of players that I was worried Omar would get, and probably for too big a deal. Figgins and Polanco down, Hudson, Molina and Bay to go. And probably a few others that I have blanked on.
The Angels and Red Sox do a great job of converting again players into high draft picks. Combine that with a bright and well-funded scouting department (and player development), and no wonder they are both on a sustained run of success.
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-3:21pm at 3:21 pm (UTC -4)
Seattle is really following through with its plan to build around speed and defense.
Sound familiar?
trs86
12/4/2009-3:26pm at 3:26 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah and interesting on the reports about how much they buy into UZR that they would take Figgins who was off the charts last year at 3B. It would seem the Molina rumors would contradict that philosophy about 10 fold.
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-3:34pm at 3:34 pm (UTC -4)
except he still has a cannon for an arm
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/4/2009-3:39pm at 3:39 pm (UTC -4)
Are you talking about Benji?
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-3:47pm at 3:47 pm (UTC -4)
led the league w/ 23 runners caught stealing
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-3:52pm at 3:52 pm (UTC -4)
i take it back. 25 of 85 caught stealing is not good.
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-4:13pm at 4:13 pm (UTC -4)
As TRS points out below, it’s not 25 – 85. It’s 25 caught and 85 successful.
trs86
12/4/2009-4:20pm at 4:20 pm (UTC -4)
YIPPPIE I got something right. LOL.
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-4:22pm at 4:22 pm (UTC -4)
Your new nickname: Blind Squirrel
kidding!
trs86
12/4/2009-4:23pm at 4:23 pm (UTC -4)
Hey I was always taught even a blind nut can find a squirrel? Wait is that right?
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-4:30pm at 4:30 pm (UTC -4)
I suppose it is from the nut’s perspective. Afterall, does one need to be seeking something in order to have found it?
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-4:31pm at 4:31 pm (UTC -4)
even worse
trs86
12/4/2009-4:32pm at 4:32 pm (UTC -4)
True, sometimes I guess you just luck upon it.
Of course tell that to me roaming Best Buy after Thanksgiving.
trs86
12/4/2009-3:52pm at 3:52 pm (UTC -4)
That’s not much of a way to tell. He also gave up an incredible 85 stolen bases for a 23% rating. For comparison Santos was at 35 SB and caught 15 for a 30% rating. If you factor Santo’s out for an entire season like Molina he would give up 54 SB and throw out 23.
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-4:12pm at 4:12 pm (UTC -4)
Yadier Molina is ridiculous. In 138 games there were only 54 attempts against him, 22 of whom were caught.
Gerald Laird caught 42 while only 59 were successful. Why did they even try so often?
Believe it or not, Kenji Johjima caught 22 runners in only 70 games… only 19 were successful!
Blanco caught 18 with only 27 successful.
Hanigan: 21 caught 28 successgful
David Ross: 19 caught and 21 successful.
trs86
12/4/2009-3:43pm at 3:43 pm (UTC -4)
Must have been out of ammunition when the Mets stole 11 bases in 3 games against him including 7 (YES 7) in one game including 4 from Wright when the Mets went to SF.
GravediggerHebner
12/4/2009-3:50pm at 3:50 pm (UTC -4)
The league stole 85 bases in 110 attempts against Bengie last year, a success rate (for the runners) of 77%.
I’m going to try and whip up the NL starting catchers numbers for comparison.
trs86
12/4/2009-3:53pm at 3:53 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah I did a little for Santos above. According to that Santos would be a better guy against steals.
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-3:52pm at 3:52 pm (UTC -4)
Except their is no UZR for the C position for them to rely upon.
And while he can’t move or throw as well as he used to (let alone fit into his pants), Seattle may (I mean, hopefully) find his defensive value is in his ability to call the game and work with young pitchers.
trs86
12/4/2009-3:54pm at 3:54 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah I know but I was saying it seems as though most stats point to his declining defense so it would seem strange they would be interested.
GravediggerHebner
12/4/2009-3:38pm at 3:38 pm (UTC -4)
And the rumors they may target Bay go against that philosophy as well, although to be fair when I read they may go after Bay the author stated specifically “they feel his bat outweighs his defensive deficiencies.”
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-4:05pm at 4:05 pm (UTC -4)
Someone’s got to hit…
But I put little faith into any of these rumors anyway.
trs86
12/4/2009-4:11pm at 4:11 pm (UTC -4)
Interesting but now it seems as though there are so many rumors out there that someone has to be right.
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-4:14pm at 4:14 pm (UTC -4)
This is true. If Heyman and Rosenthal flig enough mud at the wall, some of it will eventually stick.
trs86
12/4/2009-3:23pm at 3:23 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, Braves are rumored to be looking at Byrd and all 5 Braves fans came out of the woods and were pleading no.
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/4/2009-3:28pm at 3:28 pm (UTC -4)
This is off topic, why do you think Omar is collecting all the catchers on the market? You think Omir Santos will be sent back down to AAA or use him in a trade?
trs86
12/4/2009-3:32pm at 3:32 pm (UTC -4)
Depends on the next move. If it’s sign Molina (God help us) then Santos gets traded. If they are done then it’s Santos Blanco with Coste either in AAA mentoring or (God help us) as a 3rd catcher and 1B option.
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/4/2009-3:38pm at 3:38 pm (UTC -4)
(God help us) is right.
I don’t understand this collecting of catchers.
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-3:39pm at 3:39 pm (UTC -4)
Glad that is done with. Any interest in Hairston Jr as utility player? Poor man’s figgins.
GravediggerHebner
12/4/2009-3:40pm at 3:40 pm (UTC -4)
or Ryan Freel, poor man’s Hairston Jr?
trs86
12/4/2009-3:44pm at 3:44 pm (UTC -4)
Not in Freel at all. I think he is more like a poor man’s McEwing at this point. However, Hairston Jr does intrigue me.
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-4:16pm at 4:16 pm (UTC -4)
With TRS on this rare occasion. Freel looks washed up.
Hairston could be a good candidate for Tatis’s role. Though I wonder if Omar is hoping that one of Carter or Evans might stick.
trs86
12/4/2009-4:19pm at 4:19 pm (UTC -4)
True, it would help if Carter was RH so he could slot in for Murphy. Evans I would be afraid of going with off the bat. He really needs some good production at AAA in my opinion after last year.
What about trading for Wiggy? You would think the O’s would move him.
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/4/2009-3:40pm at 3:40 pm (UTC -4)
Where are you guys getting UZR number?
GravediggerHebner
12/4/2009-3:40pm at 3:40 pm (UTC -4)
fangraphs.com has defense ratings
GravediggerHebner
12/4/2009-3:42pm at 3:42 pm (UTC -4)
as an example, this link will take you directly to defense stats for 3B last year
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=3b&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=0&season=2009&month=0
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/4/2009-3:45pm at 3:45 pm (UTC -4)
THANKS!
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/4/2009-3:48pm at 3:48 pm (UTC -4)
I read the glossary, but I still don’t get the definition of UZR and what it represents. Can someone explain please?
GravediggerHebner
12/4/2009-3:51pm at 3:51 pm (UTC -4)
I politely and respectfully request Case to please do that!
trs86
12/4/2009-3:55pm at 3:55 pm (UTC -4)
Case and Wanny both do a good job.
However, in the mean time you can look on Fangraphs and I think they give a definition.
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/4/2009-3:58pm at 3:58 pm (UTC -4)
I re-read it and got the concept now. But according to UZR, Wright is a terrible defensive 3B. I don’t think he’s that bad at all.
trs86
12/4/2009-4:08pm at 4:08 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I think (looking around to see who is here and fearing the inevitable) that it is a good tool but has it’s flaws like any defensive stat. However, it looks a little more accurate when you take 3 year averages. Example roughly Wright’s would be -0.7 instead of -10.4 or a median of 3.4. While still not good if next year he rebounds to say 3.4 again those numbers over a 4 year span change dramatically.
So what am I saying? In some cases it’s wildly inconsistent if you just look year to year.
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/4/2009-4:01pm at 4:01 pm (UTC -4)
Not having to dive in much further than its definition, I’m not sure how accurate these measures are.
I guess it is something to reference, but I don’t know if we should base our opinion solely on UZR.
GravediggerHebner
12/4/2009-4:10pm at 4:10 pm (UTC -4)
Your second paragraph pretty well sums it up for me. It’s great for a discussion starter, we still need to use our eyes too, in concert with it, for it to work best in my opinion.
Also important and I think Case and Wanny would agree, we need to look at more than one season, a consecutive 3 season sample is a baseline I think Case uses in his related posts.
trs86
12/4/2009-4:14pm at 4:14 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, there are some things that are just good baseball that may not show up in UZR like hitting the cutoff man or as I have mentioned the stretch or positioning of a 1B.
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-4:16pm at 4:16 pm (UTC -4)
I’m definitely not an expert on UZR or how it is calculated, though I hope to be one day.
fangraphs describes UZR as, “The number of runs above or below average a fielder is in both range runs, outfield arm runs, double play runs and error runs combined.”
They’ve calculated it so that they can figure out how many runs a player has saved using range, arm, double play ability and limiting errors.
So, guys like Carlos Gomez have tons of range and get to balls most people don’t which gives range points.
Similarly, guys like Church and Frenchy keep guys from advancing on bases and gets arm points.
In this post I wrote, there are some good links that describe how teams are using stats like UZR to build up their defense.
http://realdirtymets.com/2009/11/13/mets-need-defense/
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-4:19pm at 4:19 pm (UTC -4)
What he said.
And UZR is a measure of runs above average. It measures range, throwing arm, errors, etc. to formulate how many runs a player might save.
It’s far from perfect because it requires some judgment calls. But by and large it is ually consistent with the opinions of scouts and skilled talent evaluators.
trs86
12/4/2009-4:22pm at 4:22 pm (UTC -4)
That’s the part I am curious about. Do you have some good links on that? Are their some old school guys that just don’t like it? Are their some that say it is one of many tools or point out things they like and don’t like about it? Just curious as you seem well read on it.
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-4:27pm at 4:27 pm (UTC -4)
Nothing I can specifically point to (or have saved) other than what’s written on fangraphs. I also recall a good article written on Baseball Prospectus but I couldn’t seem to locate it using a quick search.
Rob Neyer has written about it. And often I like to fact check what I read in the news and from people like Keith Law who talk to lots of scouts and compare to fangraph’s UZR.
For example, Law had been saying before the 2008 season even that Gutierrez is a plus plus defender. Sure enough his 2008 and 2009 UZRs are off the charts.
trs86
12/4/2009-4:31pm at 4:31 pm (UTC -4)
True, I wonder if it’s like you take a guys with the most HR and naturally their slugging percentage will be high. Or in football if you take good QB’s even that crazy formula for passer rating will be high.
Where I wonder if it gets lost is the average player?
Don’t take it the wrong way because I have already admitted it’s the best we got.
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-4:35pm at 4:35 pm (UTC -4)
A related note is that one extremely good category can skew an average player into looking like a good one.
For example, a guy with little range, good hands and a great accurate arm might score well as an OFer, even though the weakest part of his game is probably the most important.
trs86
12/4/2009-4:38pm at 4:38 pm (UTC -4)
True, I am still getting lost with Tex and Wright’s numbers for this season and where they ranked. I just wonder why it seems so wildly inconsistent at times. It’s not like offensive numbers where you can point and say this player is a career .375 OBP guy so that’s most likely where his number will be.
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-4:53pm at 4:53 pm (UTC -4)
Blengino cautioned that the department is not meant to replace the work of traditional scouts. Instead, it’s merely a way to cross-check and verify information being gathered in the field and help the team operate more efficiently.
“It’s one tool among the others we have,” Blengino said. “But as we’ve already seen, it’s something that, if we use it wisely, can bring good things to us.”
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/4/2009-4:33pm at 4:33 pm (UTC -4)
Is this ONLY related to runs saved?
For example, if Beltran takes a double away and the runner on 1B stays on 1B. This would count for Range points. Or does the runner have to be on 2B?
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-4:36pm at 4:36 pm (UTC -4)
That might be considered into his Arm score. The Arm score considers when a runner does not advance on a play in which he might be able.
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/4/2009-4:37pm at 4:37 pm (UTC -4)
And how does one determine whether the runner on 1B can score on double or not? A double from Howard with Rollins at 1B is different from a double from Werth with Howard at 1B.
I’m not trying to argue here. Just curious.
trs86
12/4/2009-4:41pm at 4:41 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, lots of variables. I would assume it measures their ability to keep them from taking an extra base but as you said that would depend on the runner.
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/4/2009-4:45pm at 4:45 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, but then I’m pretty sure offensive numbers that we look at are just as subjective.
Again, I’m not trying to open a can of warm here.
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-4:52pm at 4:52 pm (UTC -4)
from the Mariners’ article:
Instead of having their scouts do advance-data compilation on teams they are about to play, the Mariners leave that to Percival and their four interns. They sit in what Blengino calls a “quiet and private area” of team offices and watch videotape of nearly every game played previously by Mariners opponents.
They break it down into various statistical components from there. A stat package is given to coaches before each series, while other evaluative information is passed on to the front office for trades or free-agent signings.
That frees up the team’s scouts to work on other things while on the road. It also gives the Mariners potentially more information.
“With scouts, they’re getting five days of information,” Blengino said. “With our video guys, they’re getting 162.”
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2009996155_mari04.html
stickguy
12/4/2009-5:42pm at 5:42 pm (UTC -4)
such poppycock. Why waste the money on all those interns when you can just go with Jerry’s gut?
GravediggerHebner
12/4/2009-5:51pm at 5:51 pm (UTC -4)
Umm, interns don’t cost money, they’re interns.
trs86
12/4/2009-3:48pm at 3:48 pm (UTC -4)
Looks like I could be right on Meche. “As tweeted by NYBD contributor Joe Demayo the Mets, and to a lesser extent, the Yankees are showing interest in Kansas City RHP Gil Meche who is reportedly on the block.”
GravediggerHebner
12/4/2009-4:07pm at 4:07 pm (UTC -4)
NL starting catcher stats for caught stealing, listed as # of SB allowed, # of runners caught, and percentage caught:
Ruiz: 61 (allowed)/23 (caught)/27%
Baker: 79/20/20%
McCann: 76/24/24%
Santos: 35/15/30%
Bard: 43/16/27%
Y. Molina: 32/22/41%
Soto: 59/23/28%
Kendall: 64/16/20%
Hanigan: 28/21/43%
I. Rodriguez: 41/22/35% (total Hou & Tex)
Doumit: 44/20/31%
Martin: 74/33/31%
Iannetta: 50/18/26%
B. Molina: 85/25/23%
Hundley: 56/14/20%
Montero: 67/23/26%
Obviously some guys played more games than other guys, but these are the starting catchers. Also obviously, the pitchers have an impact on these numbers. Anyway, there they are.
trs86
12/4/2009-4:09pm at 4:09 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I was surprised by that when I looked back in September at Santos’ numbers. Not bad but who knows if he could keep that up for an entire season. Besides Johan I can’t think of anyone on the Mets who was great at keeping runners from stealing.
GravediggerHebner
12/4/2009-4:16pm at 4:16 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah he’s a much smaller sample than Bengie, Yadier or Russell Martin. Still impressive though.
I also took from this that Pudge has still got something going on (whether he calls all FB to make that happen I can’t say), and boy the Reds must’ve been impressed with Hanigan, I sure am.
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-4:21pm at 4:21 pm (UTC -4)
The Reds previously had David Ross, against whom it is best to just sit on 1B. Maybe they have a Sandy Alomar, Jr. there teaching their guys how to throw.
trs86
12/4/2009-4:22pm at 4:22 pm (UTC -4)
Hmm you bring up a good point. Will the Mets catching take a step back without Alomar?
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-4:28pm at 4:28 pm (UTC -4)
It depends if you think it took a step forward with him!
trs86
12/4/2009-4:29pm at 4:29 pm (UTC -4)
I think based just on CS percentage a definite maybe. Don’t have time to really research but it seems like we have had good numbers while he was here.
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-4:32pm at 4:32 pm (UTC -4)
Not sure we could make this call without honest input from Alomar’s subjects.
Schneider is a vet who probably did not rely much on coaching. And although a rookie, Santos had quite a bit of experience too.
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/4/2009-4:41pm at 4:41 pm (UTC -4)
Robbie Alomar is retired I believe. I’m not sure whether he came back to become a catcher…
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Sorry… not funny… just trying to waste some time before I go home…
royhobbs7
12/4/2009-4:39pm at 4:39 pm (UTC -4)
As Casey once said, you need a catcher or else you have alot of passed balls.
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/4/2009-4:47pm at 4:47 pm (UTC -4)
But the Mets have 2 catchers too many. And looking to add more.
trs86
12/4/2009-4:44pm at 4:44 pm (UTC -4)
Have fun guys, gotta go coach some basketball.
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/4/2009-4:50pm at 4:50 pm (UTC -4)
MLBTR.
A tweet from ESPN’s Buster Olney:
Yankees finished org. meetings — they’re cutting payroll. I’m not sure yet by how much, but during season, expectation was to $185 million.
Yeah right I’ll believe it when I see it.
metsfan4decades
12/4/2009-5:15pm at 5:15 pm (UTC -4)
Just from an Angel fan perspective from Halos Heaven that I’ve read:
Those fans were leaning towards, between the two of Figgins and Lackey, they really believed the FO would keep Figgins before Lackey. Most I read preferred that as well – even with his poor showing in post season play.
So does the fact that they did not retain Figgins mean they will be all in on Lackey? I honestly don’t know. I haven’t remotely come close to evaluating the Angels payroll and needs for 2010.
Dang…I still really wanted Lackey. I know he’s probably going to get more than he’s really worth but he’d be that solid #2 behind Johan.
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-5:21pm at 5:21 pm (UTC -4)
Excellent blog by Rob Neyer, who unlike some refuses to ignore facts:
After writing some unflattering things about Mike Pelfrey, Bob Klapisch wonders about David Wright’s odd power outage this season:
“They’re just as pressed for time with Wright, who everyone assumes will return to his power-hitting ways in 2010. The wishful thinkers in the organization are ready to call 2009 an aberration, but the question is why. Wright is playing in a new ballpark he obviously hates – it’s 37 feet deeper in right-center than at Shea — and ownership made matters worse by announcing the dimensions won’t change next season.
“If the Mets couldn’t bring themselves to make the power alleys more symmetrical and less daunting, they could’ve at least removed the second 8-foot panel in left-center, the one that turns the wall into a 16-foot skyscraper.
“Yes, we’ve heard the counter-argument. Making Citi Field more home run friendly will only sharpen the fangs of Met-killers like Chase Utley, who hit nearly as many homers in Flushing last year (four) as Wright (five) and actually finished ahead of Carlos Beltran (three).
“But Wright and Beltran have to love Citi Field if they’re going to flourish, and the Mets need both to be more than glorified singles and doubles hitters at home. Clearly something was amiss with Wright. A hitter can’t go from 33 homers to 10 without some underlying reason. Either Wright’s swing needs to be recalibrated, or someone has to get in his head, just like Pelfrey’s.”
Prior to 2009, Wright averaged 29 home runs per season. He was consistent, too: 27-26-30-33. He’s always been consistent. In his four previous seasons, Wright’s batting average and on-base percentage and slugging percentage never strayed far from his career averages. Over the course of four years, he firmly established himself as a .310/.390/.530 sort of hitter. You could set your watch by the guy.
Until 2009. Oh, his batting average and on-base percentage were still dead on target, same as usual. He hit 40 doubles, as usual. But the home runs disappeared. Instead of hitting 30 home runs, Wright hit 10. Which is what has Klapisch all worked up.
Is Flushing’s new yard the problem, though? Wright hit only five homers there … but that means he hit only five homers on the road, too. I can’t get inside his head, but I’m not sure it was Wright’s head that kept him from hitting more homers in road games.
For what it’s worth, Wright’s line-drive rate was the highest of his career (by an eyelash) and his fly-ball rate was down slightly. The outlier was his home runs per fly ball, which was just seven percent, compared to roughly 16 percent entering the season. So either his fly balls weren’t going as far as usual, or they were simply flying to the wrong part of the outfield.
Yes, the deeper dimensions in the new ballpark probably played a part. My guess is that if you accounted for the ballpark and the time Wright spent on the disabled list and poor luck, you could reasonably push him to 20 home runs.
Which isn’t 30. But if he’d hit 20, nobody would be worrying too much about him.
So I’m not going to worry. Not yet. In 2009, there were more home runs hit by right-handed batters in Mets home games than in road games. Sometimes the statistics trick us, and sometimes our eyes do. I’m willing to bet that David Wright’s pre-2009 body of work shows up again in 2010.
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-5:27pm at 5:27 pm (UTC -4)
yeah, didn’t Wright say he was working on being more of a line drive hitter? I see no problem with that.
fongy2
12/4/2009-5:37pm at 5:37 pm (UTC -4)
this is an excellant post
wanny. what I still don’t understand given Wrights ave. stayed at or above his norm last yr were all the strikeouts.
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-6:04pm at 6:04 pm (UTC -4)
I want to say he was walking more and getting more hits, but I can’t figure out the rates to compare it to 08. Damn stupid math.
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-5:22pm at 5:22 pm (UTC -4)
To all those Mets fans hoping for a Mets Halladay Jersey for the Holidays, I must remind you that when Santana was rumored to be traded, the Mets were a long shot and the trade didn’t happen until January.
On the other hand, Yankees are cutting payroll.
If Doc can’t pitch with his buddy Burnett, maybe he would want to pitch in the same town.
In a perfect world:
Red Sox – Bay
Angels – Lackey
Yankees – Holliday
Mets – Halladay
Phillies – Mo Vaughn
Who’s with me?
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-5:26pm at 5:26 pm (UTC -4)
Mo knows cheesesteaks.
metsfan4decades
12/4/2009-5:28pm at 5:28 pm (UTC -4)
LOL – Phillies, Mo Vaughn. I like that the best.
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-6:22pm at 6:22 pm (UTC -4)
well, someone has to replace Matt Stairs
wannybackstra
12/4/2009-5:24pm at 5:24 pm (UTC -4)
Klapisch’s comments on Pelfrey:
After posting a dismal 5.03 ERA last season, the only dividend Pelfrey can offer is that he now comes cheap. The Mets picked up Pelfrey’s $500,000 option for next season, which means he’ll take a $2.4 million pay cut.
It’s hardly the trend line the Mets envisioned for Pelfrey when they made him a first-round draft pick in 2005. Back then he had a DNA to die for, including a moving 94-mph fastball that’s programmed to destroy right-handed hitters. You can’t teach that kind of late, heavy sink, which is why the Mets awarded Pelfrey a contract worth nearly $10 million before he’d ever thrown a pitch in the big leagues.
Four years later, however, Pelfrey seems to be a long, flat road to nowhere. It’s true, the Mets’ defense hurt him and that partly explains his increase in BABIP (batting average of balls in play) from .307 to .316. But there’s no question Pelfrey regressed in 2009; it’s a surprise pitching coach Dan Warthen kept his job.
Maximizing Pelfrey’s talent will require more than just refining a sloppy slider, which is his only secondary pitch. Teaching Pelfrey how to remain composed when he’s behind in the count is the real key. “Good luck with that,†said one person familiar with the right-hander’s characteristic over-reaction to stress.
Pelfrey, a polite, respectful major-leaguer, is less than intuitive on the mound. He’s no deep thinker and was never overly receptive to the brainy Rick Peterson. On the scale of one to pitching genius, like Greg Maddux or Santana, Pelfrey, like Oliver Perez, is stuck on the ground floor.
The good news is that Pelfrey is young (he turns 26 next month) and, barring injury, will be blessed with a high-velocity, moving fastball for years to come. But the Mets, specifically Jerry Manuel, don’t have that long to wait.
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-5:31pm at 5:31 pm (UTC -4)
Pelf’s walk rate balooned last year. I’d guess that has as much to do w/ his poor performance as anything.
fongy2
12/4/2009-5:50pm at 5:50 pm (UTC -4)
I like the kid and hate to judge but shaking his hand as
he sat 2 rows i/f/o
me and my wife(then,girlfriend) @ a
Sens-Bingo game in I believe June of ’07…
the kid is a big dopey gooom!
He was scouting, I think on Saturday for
Sundays game and as
we left our seats(directly behind the plate),I put out my
hand a told him “good
luck when you get to Shea kid”. My girl said upon walking out
“I think you scared
him with your accent”.
I does seem to me that when things are going well,he’s fine
but when he gets in a little trouble he really melts down.
HAving said that though, I wouldn’t be moving him too quick.
It was only a yr ago
that many in the media
were compairing him to
Webb when he first came up.
A real solid #2 would
take alot of pressure
of him, Maine & Ollie…to state the
obvious.
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-6:10pm at 6:10 pm (UTC -4)
I’d imagine he’s done some maturing in the past 2 years.
I agree, not asking on Maine or Pelf to be the #2 would do downders for their confidence.
Ollie, I hope the conditioning in AZ is working.
GravediggerHebner
12/4/2009-6:41pm at 6:41 pm (UTC -4)
I think the 2009 Met season already did “downders” for their confidence.
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-5:40pm at 5:40 pm (UTC -4)
Interesting Mets related story. Didn’t know Valentine and Phillips hated each other.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2009/12/these_are_bette.html
GravediggerHebner
12/4/2009-5:55pm at 5:55 pm (UTC -4)
You didn’t know that? I lived in Boston during that time, didn’t have a computer, and I knew that. Their power struggle was epic. You must’ve been busy with college studies or something then.
fongy2
12/4/2009-6:05pm at 6:05 pm (UTC -4)
I side with Bobby V. on that one!
It’s obvious Omar has
alot of the same GM traits as his teacher,
Little Stevie!
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-6:08pm at 6:08 pm (UTC -4)
yeah, I was more of a casual fan then. I now consider myself business casual.
fongy2
12/4/2009-6:09pm at 6:09 pm (UTC -4)
What’s a casual fan?
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-6:13pm at 6:13 pm (UTC -4)
go to some games, watch some on tv, but not really paying attention to the team dynamics, or the outcome of every single game.
fongy2
12/4/2009-6:17pm at 6:17 pm (UTC -4)
It was a joke
Dude.
You gotta learn to relax
my fellow Met fan.
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-6:37pm at 6:37 pm (UTC -4)
sorry fongy,
i don’t get phillie mole humor. lol
GravediggerHebner
12/4/2009-6:19pm at 6:19 pm (UTC -4)
Does that mean you wear a suit to the games?
fongy2
12/4/2009-6:24pm at 6:24 pm (UTC -4)
Me or him?
Although its always interesting to see old film even as late as the 60s and note almost every guy wearing a suit to the ball game.
GravediggerHebner
12/4/2009-6:37pm at 6:37 pm (UTC -4)
Case. It was a joke response to “business casual fan.”
I love that old footage of all the guys in suits.
When I was in HS back in the early 80′s, me and a fellow Met fan friend wore suits to Shea just for kicks once. They sold us beer, so I guess it was good for something.
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-6:36pm at 6:36 pm (UTC -4)
if it wins games, sure.
plus, nobody wants to see me w/ body paint
GravediggerHebner
12/4/2009-6:39pm at 6:39 pm (UTC -4)
Well, if you say “nobody” wants to see you in body paint, I guess you haven’t asked my opinion yet
CaseStreet
12/4/2009-7:08pm at 7:08 pm (UTC -4)
well, if it’s for charity, maybe