Jun 21
Video: Kerel Cooper’s 3 Reasons Why Mets Need Another Starter
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21 comments
njstuckintx
6/21/2010-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
He must read this blog often.
CaseStreet
6/21/2010-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
Can’t argue with the man.
CaseStreet
6/21/2010-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
BTW, what’s taking Maya so long to sign with a team. I imagine his agent has had time to see what teams are interested.
Any thought on how long before he’d be ready to start in the majors?
stickguy
6/21/2010-12:43pm at 12:43 pm (UTC -4)
I had the same thoughts about why he is taking so long.
No idea also how long until he is ready to pitch. Given how long he has been working out, I would assume he could step right in and pitch games (in the minors of course). Can he go a full outing though? Who knows.
and of course, a complete wildcard is how long it takes him to be ML ready!
GravediggerHebner
6/21/2010-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
I agree with his general point. I only watched/listened once but I don’t recall a single reference to the existence of Jon Niese, maybe I missed it.
I am more inclined to agree with his thoughts on Takahashi than his thoughts on R.A. Dickey. Takahashi has demonstrated success in the bullpen and is the type of pitcher that as (Hanging With) Mr. Cooper says the league can catch up to upon repeated viewings. I was impressed with Taka’s ability to pitch consistently inside against the Yankees, it showed me that he had adjusted and that it’s possible that as the league adjusts to him he may be capable of adjusting too. But ultimately I think Cooper’s point is a valid one.
I disagree that Dickey is the kind of pitcher the league can catch up with. He throws a pitch that is almost completely unpredictable so I don’t see how the league can catch up with it. If he throws it well he will be successful, if he doesn’t he won’t. I think his future lies largely in his hands, not that hands of other teams.
CaseStreet
6/21/2010-12:10pm at 12:10 pm (UTC -4)
re Niese: I guess Cooper only imagines a 3 man rotation for the Division series, but Niese would def come into play in a best of 7 series.
I guess the think with Dickey is that since he hasn’t had great success in the past as a ML Starter, we shouldn’t be expecting him to now be a solid ML starter. However, maybe he’s turned it around.
oleosmirf
6/21/2010-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
1) While I do agree that we need a SP, I am not worried about RA Dickey. He is the #5 SP on the team and he doesnt need to be lights out. As long as he gives us 6 IP+ and 4ER or less every start, I am perfectly happy…
2) I am not sold on Jon Niese being able to pitch like he has in the last 3 games all season. That is extremely ridiculous expectations for a rookie…He should be the #4 SP for a playoff team…
3) I am concerned with Santana as he doesnt have the dominant stuff he did in his 1st season here. I still think he can be a 15 game winner but I dont think he has the upperhand anymore when going against the other team’s ace.
4) I think people are going a little overboard on Pelfrey. I think he is really good but we have to expect at least a slight drop off going forward. Right now he is on pace to go 21-4 with a 2.69 ERA. I dont believe he can sustain that.
What we need to do is go get Cliff Lee and shuffle the rotation so that Santana is no longer pitching against guys like Josh Johnson and Ubaldo Jimenez. That way he can get some wins finally, and build confidence for the playoffs…
CaseStreet
6/21/2010-12:06pm at 12:06 pm (UTC -4)
hmm, some competition would do good for Santana. He’d def take a demotion in the rotation as an insult and would try to step up his game.
oleosmirf
6/21/2010-12:16pm at 12:16 pm (UTC -4)
well Santana cant beat the other ace’s in the league right now…at least not on a consistant basis…
stickguy
6/21/2010-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
yeah, I partly agree too. Mostly about Taka. I am also not confident he he will hold up to the grind all summer. But, only one way to find out.
I also don’t think that Dickey will be an issue if (when) teams fae him again. There also aren’t that many teams he is likely to face 3 times.
And he did seem to totally overlook Neise.
whataputz
6/21/2010-12:39pm at 12:39 pm (UTC -4)
I agree that we need a pitcher. I think we need to bring in a #1 caliber pitcher. My reason is because I feel this team has done a ton of overacheiving. Who knows how long Pelf will last like this, I mean his last 2 starts have been pretty weak. Johan is becoming a concern. His last 3 or so starts have been very weak. I still fully trust him with the season on the line, but obviously age or past injury factors have caught up to him to some extent. Neise has looked amazing since coming off the DL, but again who knows how long he will keep it up. Takahashi has no track record in MLB so who knows about him, plus he can really help the bullpen out. Dickey I think is a solid 5, but who knows how long he will keep this up.
The offense has been pretty spotty this season, and Bay has yet to earn his money. No doubt they’ve been playing great ball, and this homestand will be a good test for them. I think the overall feel of this team is positive, but with alot of question marks.
Alot of guys without good track records playing good ball. Very streaky hitting/hitters. In general alot of ?
I think adding a Lee/Oswalt/Haren, takes this team to the next level. You KNOW at the very least that you can always rely on the staff. Because who knows how much longer these guys will keep it up. I don’t think adding a Carmona or a Westbrook does much. If you bring Lee in we have the best rotation in the game, and no matter how streaky the offense, we will always be in games. I guess my point is that not only do they need to add a pitcher, but they need to add an ace, and not a middle of the road guy.
oleosmirf
6/21/2010-12:48pm at 12:48 pm (UTC -4)
I think we need an ace and Haren is def not an ace. If the Mets choose Oswalt instead, i wont complain but Lee is really the guy that puts us over the top.
Lee, Pelfrey, Santana, Niese, Dickey is a dynamite rotation…
stickguy
6/21/2010-12:48pm at 12:48 pm (UTC -4)
injuries are mostly unpredicatble (unless you are a guy like Prior, with a defective arm). But with the Mets current roation, no reason to expect any.
and you can only really judge guys on what they have looked like so far, unless they have a long track record to say otherwise, like Johan. Dickey is no the =same guy from 5 years ago, so a wildcard. Taka has been keping it up, and neise looks to be harnessing all his talent. Could change, but no reason it should. And Pelf just seems to be taking the next step on his path to stardom (along with his splitter).
sure, another high end SP would be nice, but right now, that is more about depth. If the current crop keeps up on the pace they are at, adding an Oswalt is not going to add any more wins, since he isn’t pitching better than the guy he might displace!
stickguy
6/21/2010-12:58pm at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
anyone interested in kerry wood as a flyer guy to slid in as the set up guy? Not having a great year, but is he healthy (for him) now? Might be a way to get a SP from cleveland (I know, a mid rotation guy really, but still depth) real cheap by taking on salary.
A few times I have seen him mentioned, mostly along with Carmona (westbrook you should be able to get just e taking on the money).
I guess it really depends on what you think of Carmona, for now and ongoing. If that is someone you like the upside of, he is under control for 3+ years at reasonable money. So, the indians should want real talent back, but if you take Woods $$ too, that could come down.
The pen cold end up being: K Rod/woods/iggy/parnell/dessens/neive/pedro/taka. lots of potential there, and some pretty good FBs. And I know it is 8 names, so neive or dessens would have to be the odd man odd (dessens I assume?).
leaves rotation as santana/pelf/neise/carmona/dickey. Good balance, and certainly different looks. also mostly young, and under control for years to come. And if someone better arrives, some extremely tradeable peices. Maybe even Mejia slotting in at the 5 hole.
now, if woods is hurt again, it could blow up, but even so, no biggie. 1 year deal, and it is effectively trading $$ to save prospects.
No, carmona isn’t a “sexy” name, but that looks like a solid rotation.
trs86
6/21/2010-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
That’s a very interesting idea. I however wonder 2 things. Would Wood (lol) be ok with being K-rod’s setup man? Are the Indians that desperate for money shed this season? Would they rather just ride it out with Wood or try and dump him separately and then get max value from Carmona? I think you would be more likely to get a Wood, Westbrook package instead.
oleosmirf
6/21/2010-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
I think Westbrook is only marginally better than Takahashi. Id rather get the best pitcher available…
metsfan4decades
6/21/2010-12:59pm at 12:59 pm (UTC -4)
Bobby O commented on the post game yesterday that the Mets are absolutely a legit contender and they need to go out and get a ‘rental’ pitcher to make sure they remain that contender down the stretch.
To me, there is only one legit ‘rental’ right now and that’s Lee. I noticed he didn’t say another SP but a rental.
Although, I believe the Twins look like the front runner for Lee as Seattle is looking for a catcher and they’ve got that catching prospect (can’t remember his name) who is obviously blocked by Mauer…..
oleosmirf
6/21/2010-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
acquiring Lee makes them immeasurably better.
imagine how much better we would be if Santana was the best pitcher on the mound every start instead of once every 3-4 starts.
metsfan4decades
6/21/2010-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
At first I wasn’t too warmed up by this idea. Now I’m coming around more. First the depth is a little scary right now. And second, Lee is just that good.
And shoot me, had WFAN on for the 10-1 show. Not paying attention, MF starts his drive by. And he opens up with what’s wrong with the Mets and what they need. I try to avoid MF as he makes me crazy but I just got sucked in…..
oleosmirf
6/21/2010-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
if we stay injury free, I just dont see how the Mets can not make the playoffs with Lee as the ace.
not to mention what could be if Beltran is healthy and Bay ever comes around…
metsfan4decades
6/21/2010-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
And is it me or does this interleague play already feel like a month already. Can’t believe there’s a week left of this. Wouldn’t really mind if we had a DH who was an established bat….