Who is the lucky recipient of the nickname "The Albatross"?
Today, it was announced that Jason Marquis will sign with the Washington Nationals. Marquis, a Staten Island native who said he would be a perfect fit for the back end of the Mets rotation, signed with the lowly Nationals. I know what you are thinking: “Do the Mets really NEED Jason Marquis?†The answer is yes, we need Jason Marquis. We needed John Lackey, need Matt Holliday or Jason Bay, need Orlando Hudson. And we needed Marquis. Why, do you ask? Look at who started games for us last year. Livan Hernandez. Nelson Figueroa. Pat freaking Misch. And your telling me we don’t need Marquis to have 28 starts, 12-14 wins, and a 4.00 ERA? Another wasted opportunity for the Mets to better their club in terms of depth and overall quality, and most people will think it is because Omar Minaya blinds himself with the shiny apple every year (Johan in 2008 (which I’m not complaining at all about getting Johan, but what else did they do to improve the squad?), K-Rod last year, Bay this year), and fails to look at improving the Mets as a whole. Although this is true; the root of the Mets problems for this off-season specifically is the giant financial albatross hanging around the neck of the entire Met organization. No, I’m not talking about Bernie Madoff. Here’s looking at you, Ollie.
You guessed it! Oliver "The Albatross" Perez!
Oliver Perez is the poster child of the Mets ineptitude. He is over-priced, over-rated, (fake) injured last year, wildly inconsistent, terrible with the media, hated by fans. He is the complete opposite of what makes a New York Met. Mets are tough, gritty, smart, and intelligent; they take no prisoners, and are lunch-pail blue collar ballplayers who have no regard for their opponents. They do whatever it takes to win, and they don’t care what anyone else thinks about how they get to their goals. A New York Met is the ultimate underdog, and always is out to disprove the doubts of their critics. Ollie is nothing of this. He makes $12 million dollars a year, and is worth none of it. He needs to be babied to produce any positive results. He pouts on the mound. Argues with umpires. Loses interest in performing. Places blame on others. Fakes injuries. (Seriously, if you think his knee was hurt, I got a bridge to sell you. It’s in Brooklyn.) He is everything a Met shouldn’t be, and the fact that he was given a 3 year, $36 million dollar deal based on one LOSS that he pitched well in (2006 NLCS Game 7, thanks again, Aaron Heilman) has turned into a huge burden on the franchise. The Mets need to rebuild, but cannot spend the money they want to since 12 mil is tied up with this worthless head case diva. His contract hangs around Omar’s neck as the ultimate restrictor when the opportunity arises to improve pitching depth, eat Castillo’s contract to get O-Hud, or even have the upfront money to not have to backload a Jason Bay offer and get him signed, if Omar insists on only buying one shiny apple, as opposed to getting a bushel of quality apples that aren’t wrapped in gold. Here’s to you Oliver “The Albatross†Perez. Your presence on this team means Jason Marquis won’t be coming home, other players who can help us next year won’t be coming to City either, and I get to watch you have a 7.50 ERA and fake an injury again next year. You know what? Screw it. I won’t be watching. You don’t deserve to have me show up at the ballpark to watch you pitch. Or even turn on the TV.  On the bright side, I will get out of the house more this summer, that’s always a good thing. Oh, and I finally have a professional athlete who I can call “The Albatross”. Looks like Rime of the Ancient Mariner was worth reading in 8th grade after all…..
49 comments
CaseStreet
12/21/2009-3:59pm at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
ha, you think Ollie is overpriced at $12M. Marquis just got $7.5M. Now that’s overpriced.
CaseStreet
12/21/2009-4:00pm at 4:00 pm (UTC -4)
MLBTR has a more rational take on the Marquis signing.
My take: this is an uninspired move by the Nationals. I understand that an innings-eater is needed to take pressure off young pitchers, but it’s likely that similar pitchers will be available in March at a fraction of the commitment. Plus, unlike an Erik Bedard type gamble, Marquis doesn’t have upside.
mikemattone
12/21/2009-4:03pm at 4:03 pm (UTC -4)
I rather have Marquis at 2 and 15 million than Perez at 2 and 24. At least you know Marquis you will get a decent #4 starter who goes out there and competes. How many more 2/3 of an inning, 5 walk 5 run performances can you take from Ollie?
CaseStreet
12/21/2009-4:15pm at 4:15 pm (UTC -4)
fine, they’re both overpriced.
fongy2
12/21/2009-4:23pm at 4:23 pm (UTC -4)
Thats exactly what it is! Not to pat myself on the back or anything but its exactly what I thought
when I just got home &
saw this…”We dodged
a bullet BUT for the Nats,it makes sense.”
They need to baby their young Pitchers for the next yr or two and if nothing else Marquis should give them innings.
But Mike, thats about
all he’s good for.
This is a very,very ordinary Pitcher whos
production has never matched his talent and at this point likely won’t ever.
So, he’ll go 10-13 w/a 4.5era w/200ip.
Great, you wanna save a spot for a 4th/5th
starter whos barely been good enough to
crack a playoff roster
despite being on good teams most of his career?
We already have two pitchers similar to
him in Pelf and Maine
who work cheaper.
As for the discussion about Ollie, theres no relevence.
We all know it was a bad contract but this is another one where
Omar made his bed, so,
well….you know.
I can’t stand him or
that contract but lets
slow down a little calling him a dog and
stating he made up injuries. Further in defense of him, his
2007 season was better than any season Marquis ever
had AND doesn’t strike you as strange
that two teams know for being able to develop and/or rebuild
Pitchers,The Braves&
Cardinals gave up on him? Plus, isn’t it strange to you that
The Rox showed NO INTEREST at all in bringing him back?
Plus,plus, Don’t you think the reason he
signed quickly with the Nats was BECAUSE
he knew he wasn’t likely to get a better offer from anyone else despite the dirth of pitching in the majors?
Lets calm down a little. This is Jason Marquis we’re talkin”bout here.
fongy2
12/21/2009-4:05pm at 4:05 pm (UTC -4)
Wow!!!………
And I’M tough on Omar???
Mr North Jersey
12/21/2009-4:09pm at 4:09 pm (UTC -4)
I never thought someone could trump you Fongy.
fongy2
12/21/2009-4:29pm at 4:29 pm (UTC -4)
Me either!
At least, I try to be
fairly rational in my
criticism of Omar,
although due to the fact that I’ve been a
fan alot longer than Omar, I’m not always
successful!
mikemattone
12/21/2009-4:34pm at 4:34 pm (UTC -4)
I feel Omar Minaya’s job with the Mets does not merit me using rationale when pointing out his terrible track record. And if you argue NLCS apperance, I will counter with Steve Phillips getting to a World Series.
fongy2
12/21/2009-4:56pm at 4:56 pm (UTC -4)
Not arguing
As anyone
here and most anywhere can tell you,I’m
no fan of Omar.But NOT signing
Marquis,isn’t one of the reasons why.
stickguy
12/21/2009-4:12pm at 4:12 pm (UTC -4)
So wait, you Don’t like Ollie, right? Not sure it was clear…
Yeah, he had a lousy year, but I really can’t see the 2/24 due Ollie at this point as preventing Omar from making any substantial move. And certainly it didn’t prevent him from Getting Marquis.
Marquis puts up numbers that you should be getting from much cheaper options (plenty of which are available, including many coming out of AAA).
I really don’t think they have much to do with each oterh, but Jason on a 2/15 deal (even if Ollie retired tomorrow and took his salary with him) isn’t something I really want to add to the team.
Garland is still out there. Overall better pitcher. And still time to get someone like Arroyo, a definite upgrade.
I also think Ollie did have a problem with his knee. Maybe it was coincidnetal, but I expect it contributed to some of hi sother problems.
I also expect him to be much better next year, hopefully more like 2008, when he did have a pretty good 2nd half. Not worth his contract, but it isn’t an albatross one by any stretch.
mikemattone
12/21/2009-4:32pm at 4:32 pm (UTC -4)
How is it not an albatross contract? It is $12 million for ZERO production, and you need that money to fill in big holes. Marquis isn’t a world beater, but I would take his consistent 4th starter level production and $4.5 million over Perez any day of the week, and I’m sure every single GM not named Minaya would agree.
stickguy
12/21/2009-4:39pm at 4:39 pm (UTC -4)
well, it wasn’t quite zero, but I concede the opint that he did not do much for the team last year. But I think it is disingenous to say that he was not injured at all. SOmething was wrong (and I actually thought he had some kind of procedure? ).
Plus, it is a good sign that he went to the sports training institute.
so no, I don’t expect Ollie to be that bad again. And before 2009, for his career, Ollie has probably been better than Marquis, who pretyt much defines mediocre. Ollie at least still has some upside!
I also disagree that it is an either/or. Ollies deal is not keeping them from adding players, especially if the TRS sanctioned 32mill bankroll is accurate.
fongy2
12/21/2009-4:41pm at 4:41 pm (UTC -4)
You are right about the contract Mike.
You argument is wrong though. In that, it’s not Ollie’s or Marquis’contract BUT
BOTH if we’d signed him. Look, none of us like it BUT we’re stuck with him in the rotaion provided he’s healthy. Thats how these things work.Unless your the Yankees. THAT is a large part of my problem with Omar, Ollie’s contract, Castillo’s contract.
18 million for little to no production, if
healthy. But The Wilpon’s acted quickly
and brought him back so decision made,period.
Nothing we can do but hope to get something positive out of Ollie.
mikemattone
12/21/2009-4:47pm at 4:47 pm (UTC -4)
I truly think that the amount of money tied up is making the Wilpons force Omar to either low-ball free agents, back-load contracts, or hold off on taking any chances. I think Ollie’s contract also has mentally hindered the franchise, since Fred and Jeff are reluctant to throw money at guys and get completely burned again. And as to Ollie’s upside, I personally believe he is done. The procedure he got for his knee is something guys get at the end of the year but they can play with it no problem, but he is such a head case that he used the knee as a crutch, and made himself believe he needed surgery right away.
metfreak
12/21/2009-4:41pm at 4:41 pm (UTC -4)
I wont be surprise if they go to camp with the players they have now Santos catching, Pagan in Left and Murphy at 1st WoW this team just wants me to spend hundreds on them
stickguy
12/21/2009-4:51pm at 4:51 pm (UTC -4)
it is possible, but I don’t see that unless they blow the wad on pitching.
Plus, I would expect it to be an open competition for jobs at C, 1B and LF in that case.
metfreak
12/21/2009-4:50pm at 4:50 pm (UTC -4)
Home Forums Contact About Advertise Archives Widget Twitter RSS Usage
Mets Have Looked Into Bringing Pedro Back
By Mike Axisa [December 21 at 3:43pm CST]
ESPN’s Jayson Stark reports that the Mets have looked into bringing Pedro Martinez back to Flushing, and are “continuing to kick around the idea internally.” One official with a club who had interest in Pedro said he’s looking to exceed Brad Penny’s deal, which means one year and $7.5MM guaranteed.
The 38-year-old Pedro earned about $1.5MM with incentives in 2009, when he made nine starts with a 3.63 ERA for the Phillies. He’s looking to play a full season in 2010…………………………WTF I would fire Omar just for thinking his name
fongy2
12/21/2009-4:59pm at 4:59 pm (UTC -4)
Few bigger Pedro fans than me
but, c’mon!…That ship has not only sailed…But sunk!!
metfreak
12/21/2009-5:05pm at 5:05 pm (UTC -4)
I swear if this is the guy Omar is waiting to sign then I will not even bother watching some think that the Mets are laughingstocks wait if they sign Pedro
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/21/2009-5:26pm at 5:26 pm (UTC -4)
MC has put it nicely in the Mattsblog. He said something like, I’d rather spend that money on Sheets.
Mr North Jersey
12/21/2009-5:28pm at 5:28 pm (UTC -4)
MC gets a lot of quotes here lately.
stickguy
12/21/2009-4:59pm at 4:59 pm (UTC -4)
OK, since we are haggling pitching, here’s my Plan “C” du jour.
-Get harang on the salary dump ($ vs. prospect depending on how much the Reds eat).
-Get Sheets if he seems likely to pitch and isn’t too pricing, otherwise zig and get Garland if he can be had on say a 1+1. Probably gonna cost the same $$ so do you want upside with risk, or consistancy?
-Blow the IFA budget and sign Chapman for the future. Don’t even consider him for the rotation unless he absolutely dominates in ST.
The Pen is already shaping up to be potentially pretty good, but if they can get another live arm, certainly do it. But I prefer they go with yong and cheap if a major stud isn’t falling into their laps.
A rotation put together from the group of johan, harang, pelf, ollie, maine, neise, neive, and (sheets or garland)? Lotta upside ther, and plenty of depth. Can also use overflow to shore up the pen (neive, even maine).
a #8 being Neise or Neive is a hell of a lot better than what they had last year!
fongy2
12/21/2009-5:04pm at 5:04 pm (UTC -4)
pleasee stick stop with this
Harang/Sheets nonsense.
One guy clearly is either on the down side or somethings
wrong with him and the other
,we dont know if he can even
pitch this season.
Not ripped off on Garland but we could do worse.
And while Chapman looked pretty good(from what I remember,in the WBC), he won’t
be helping THIS season and we
can’t quite be sure what he’ll
be, if anything.
We need answers my friend not more questions!
GravediggerHebner
12/21/2009-5:12pm at 5:12 pm (UTC -4)
I appreciate your perspective on this topic Fongy but a Mets team so desperate to have a quality SP close to the front of the rotation, having let the other options slip through their fingers, needs to take a gamble that Sheets can return to his ace form.
Yes, he might not even pitch. It’s too late for beggars to be choosers. They need someone who, if/when healthy, is capable of that high end production. Garland or Pineiro is not going to do that however healthy they may be. Chapman might do it, but years from now. Sheets has proven he can do it and he’s about the only guy left we can say that about.
fongy2
12/21/2009-5:15pm at 5:15 pm (UTC -4)
Give me the quasi-sure thing in Piniero or even Garland
instead of the huge question mark that is
Sheets.
Thank You!
GravediggerHebner
12/21/2009-5:19pm at 5:19 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry my fault I wasn’t clear, I don’t want Pineiro at all but I would say in addition to signing Garland who is remarkably consistent year to year, and remarkably healthy throughout his career, also sign Sheets and if healthy allow him to displace Maine or someone.
Santana, Sheets, Perez, Garland, Pelfrey if all are somehow healthy is superior to
Santana, Garland, Perez, Pelfrey, Maine.
fongy2
12/21/2009-5:23pm at 5:23 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah BUT what happens if 2nd yr out of surgery,the bulb goes on for Maine?
stickguy
12/21/2009-5:35pm at 5:35 pm (UTC -4)
I actually expect thi sto happen.
and the answer to your question is, the Mets get lucky for a change!
stickguy
12/21/2009-5:21pm at 5:21 pm (UTC -4)
I agree they need to take some risk, but I was assuming that Sheets would hae to prove some likelihood of pitching before he gets signed!
SO fine, get garland for the boring, innings churning, healthy guy instead.
part of the vision probably has to include the fact the mets plan on maine, ollie and pelf (especially the last 2) being major parts of the rotation.
so that leaves 2 spots. Say Maine/neive/neise are expected to compete for 1 (with the others being pen/AAA depth).
Using that logic, they have 1 hole to plug. Harang or Arroyo or Garland could certainly plug it (arroyo and garland especially as reliable innings guys).
Or, you can roll the dice with a guy loike sheets, and hope he is healthy enough to put together another 2008 season, with your depth guys in reserve in case he isn’t.
GravediggerHebner
12/21/2009-5:07pm at 5:07 pm (UTC -4)
I only take issue with one aspect of your argument: the fake injury thing. I don’t think we can assume that he wasn’t injured. Otherwise I certainly agree that $36 million on Oliver Perez was/is a mistake, especially when I have yet to learn who else was bidding for his services. It sure seems that 1/$8 mil would have been reasonable from the Mets perspective.
The funniest thing is, if through divine intervention somehow Perez gets back to his 15 win, sub 4.00 ERA, more than 2 to 1 K/BB ratio ways, he will be a bargain. I am not expecting that nor will I be surprised if it happens, that’s how unpredictable ‘the albatross’ is.
Since you brought up “Ancient Mariner,” in 8th grade (1978) my class was asked by the teacher for “our interpretation” of it. I handed in mine and received and “F.” I lost my mind. I questioned how she could fail anyone on “their interpretation.” She claimed that mine “was wrong.” I argued vehemently that it was “my interpretation” and could not be wrong, nor could anyone else’s because each interpretation belongs to the individual doing the interpreting (not like Spanish to English interpreting, but interpreting art), and that grading students on such things was counterproductive, to no avail. I lost all respect for her that day and from that moment on my school grades were never as good overall as the near perfection they had been up to that point. That was the day I realized without a doubt that life wasn’t fair, and that adults in positions of responsibility were just as likely to be dicks and do the wrong thing as the right thing. I hate that woman to this day. Mrs. Noha, if you’re reading this, I’ve got an “F” for you too.
Thanks for the bad memories Coach.
fongy2
12/21/2009-5:13pm at 5:13 pm (UTC -4)
RE:Ollie,him repeating his
2007 is unlikely BUT even if
he did…$12million,a bargain?
RE:Your 8th grade teacher,
sounds typical BUT Heb my man,
HATE is a strong, strong word.
Time to let that go buddy
GravediggerHebner
12/21/2009-5:16pm at 5:16 pm (UTC -4)
That’s fair, would “despise” be an acceptable compromise?
fongy2
12/21/2009-5:21pm at 5:21 pm (UTC -4)
Still kinda strong!
Heck, I don’t despise Omar.
Dude,did you go to Catholic school?
’cause the sisters at
Holy Cross were
hard core but
I got over it…………….Last year
Mr North Jersey
12/21/2009-5:16pm at 5:16 pm (UTC -4)
Queue “The Wonder Years Theme Song”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ob59hsRaFU
stickguy
12/21/2009-5:48pm at 5:48 pm (UTC -4)
How about that stuff poopping up related to the 4 way deal that fell through?
ANd who says Omar isn’t being active!
Although as much as I want Luis gone, I think I would rather keep him than to add GM Jr.!
heck, unless LAA was eating all the money, I would think the Mets to be better off just releasing Luis outright, and not being stuck with that dog back.
Kingman 26
12/21/2009-6:19pm at 6:19 pm (UTC -4)
UGH!
I do not hate any Met.
The root of the team’s “problems” is Ollie’s contract?
Jason Marquis is quality? Why did he sit for the postseason last year? Why did Hudson sit for the postseason last year?
I guess you are smarter than at least three organizations!
No one wants Hudson for the 2nd straight offseason, and Marquis signed with one of the very worst teams in baseball.
Jason Marquis stinks, and NO TEAM wants Hudson, and “fans” like you would be the first to whine when Marquis has a 5.00 ERA and Hudson is on the bench in August.
And you have no idea if Ollie’s injury was fake.
Ollie’s contract is clearly excessive, but he was very, very good in 2004, pretty good in 2007, and OK in 2008. His contract is excessive, but still, how many lefties his age with his success were available?
Ugh.
hdarvick
12/21/2009-10:49pm at 10:49 pm (UTC -4)
Memo to Jeff Wilpon: Sign Nelson Figueroa to a 2010 $3 million contract with bonuses for 200 innings pitched, quality starts, and wins, and an option for 2011. He started 8 games as part of the rotation in August/September, averaged 6+ inninfs per start, and was 2-6: the Mets scored an average of less than 2 runs per game in his 6 losses. Only Johan Santana averaged more innings pitched per start. Figgy led the staff in strikeouts in September. He had a 3.38 ERA in those 8 starts, a 2.23 ERA in 7 of the 8 starts. Even his season ERA wasn’t that bad: 4.09 (better than Pelfrey, Maine, or Perez) with a career-best 7.5 strikeouts per 9 innings (Johan averaged 7.9 Ks per 9 innings). If Nelson Figueroa is given the chance at starting every fifth game for an entire season, and the line-up is injury-free, I can see Figgy following his first career shut out in 2009 with his first career 20-win season in 2010.
trs86
12/21/2009-10:51pm at 10:51 pm (UTC -4)
UH, too much to drink tonight?
I won’t even go into the argument of if Figgy is a good pitcher. But considering how many times we have released him and he has been free for the taking and NO ONE would take him, why on Earth would we give him 3 million? Has he made 3 million in his life?
CaseStreet
12/22/2009-10:26am at 10:26 am (UTC -4)
Hdarvick is a personal friend of the Figueroas. Whether Figgy can be a decent back-end starter is something we can all debate (and have). However, I find it very weird when a personal friend of Figgy makes comments like this without sharing his relationship with Figgy.
Kingman 26
12/22/2009-2:42pm at 2:42 pm (UTC -4)
“If Nelson Figueroa is given the chance at starting every fifth game for an entire season, and the line-up is injury-free, I can see Figgy following his first career shut out in 2009 with his first career 20-win season in 2010.”
Wow, I wish I had not revisited this incredibly embarrassing thread!
Figgy’s 7 years in the bigs have resulted in a 13–28 record, so I can see why one would project a 20-win season for him….if the season was about 1100 games long maybe….
CaseStreet
12/22/2009-2:55pm at 2:55 pm (UTC -4)
you are on a roll today
Kingman 26
12/22/2009-3:00pm at 3:00 pm (UTC -4)
Case, I need a break, and I will get one when I go to Seattle over the holidays.
The damn team is NOT in disarray right now. It just isn’t.
OK, Figgy is not as bad as I say, but a 20-game winner?
And weren’t the Mets in first place almost every day in 2006, 2007, 2008, and the first half of 2009?
A championship? No. Major disappointments? Yes. But in disarray? No, no, and no.
CaseStreet
12/22/2009-3:20pm at 3:20 pm (UTC -4)
enjoy Seattle, try to bring back Jack Z.
BTW, I’m of getting an Epiphone Les Paul Special II or a Strat to learn to play.
What do you suggest?
CaseStreet
12/22/2009-3:29pm at 3:29 pm (UTC -4)
I’m *thinking*
Kingman 26
12/22/2009-3:53pm at 3:53 pm (UTC -4)
US Strats are awesome….I know more about basses…let me ask my brother and I will respond in the next day….he is a serious guitarist and guitar expert…I am guessing he will recommend the Strat, but I really don’t know much about Epiphones…Gibson Les Pauls are absolutely magnificent.
He plays a Gibson ES335, which is great for jazz, and I play a Fender Precision bass from the mid-70s with Bartolini pickups..it shreds.
And one safe bet is that I will enjoy Seattle! I will try to fit King Felix in my checked bag if I see him downtown….
CaseStreet
12/22/2009-4:17pm at 4:17 pm (UTC -4)
tnx
mikemattone
12/22/2009-10:34am at 10:34 am (UTC -4)
It’s not the contract itself that is the albatross, it’s the fact that the Wilpons see Minaya pay Ollie $36 million to do jack-crap, then say “Omar, no more throwing money out there”. Because Omar spent all this money on Ollie, the Wilpons are forcing Omar to low-ball, not take on salary dumps, not pick up quality role players, I could go on. When you have $12 million locked in the next two years on someone who had a good 2004 with the Pirates and a good 4 months thanks to Rick Peterson but is otherwise worthless, you’re not inclined to let your GM go spend more money to fill holes when his last hole filler is now himself a hole. And in regards to the injury, funny how he has soreness but can still pitch, then needs surgery after going 2/3 of an inning and getting rocked. Between that, arguing with teammates on the mound, and other factors, it is clear the guy is a head case that used the soreness as a crutch and got surgery to tie up loose ends so to speak in his knee. If you are a professional athlete and don’t have soreness, you probably aren’t playing.
Kingman 26
12/22/2009-2:37pm at 2:37 pm (UTC -4)
“It’s not the contract itself that is the albatross, it’s the fact that the Wilpons see Minaya pay Ollie $36 million to do jack-crap, then say “Omar, no more throwing money out thereâ€. Because Omar spent all this money on Ollie, the Wilpons are forcing Omar to low-ball, not take on salary dumps, not pick up quality role players, I could go on.”
Complete nonsense, and really silly. Thanks for not going on.
Jason Bay was offered 10% more than the Red Sox offered. This is lowball? No, but suggesting it is whiny baloney–and really childish.
Not picking up quality role-players? Many would argue that Cora, Blanco, and Igarashi are exactly that.
And what is your source for the above quote regarding what the Wilpons told Omar?
And pssst–Jason Marquis is really, really mediocre…..ask the Rockies….or the Cards….or the Cubs…or the Braves….hmmm, at least three of those teams have had a LOT of really good pitchers over the last decade, and none of them wanted Marquis….