As per Adam Rubiin of ESPN.com
K-Rod has made his winter league debut in Venezuela. He picked up a save while tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Allowed 1 hit, 2 strikeouts.
Dec 08
K-Rod Makes His Komeback !!
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74 comments
kingman 26
12/8/2010-12:30pm at 12:30 pm (UTC -4)
Ek-cellent!
Did he kick the krap out of any of his kousins??
metsfan4decades
12/8/2010-12:38pm at 12:38 pm (UTC -4)
Oh, bad…..LOL.
njstuckintx
12/8/2010-1:18pm at 1:18 pm (UTC -4)
Krazy.
stickguy
12/8/2010-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
Cool, a new post!
Trade Him while his value is high!
Ok, seriously. Good sign that he is healthy and able to pitch. Not that I expect him to get traded (but I would be 100% in support if they did). And I guess him having a vintage year would greatly aid in the quest to make the playoffs in 2011 (or break .500, be respectable, or get some fannys in the seats, depending on what your expectatins are!)
trying to figure out what the best case is for the Mets here. Well, best has to be a miracle year and a playoff run. But short of that, probably that K Rod is healthy, but misses maybe a month with a fluke injury (broken pinky say), and comes back strong by mid-year.
About the only way they can trade him at the deadline will be if he is pitching lights out, but has no real shot at 55 GFs!
metsfan4decades
12/8/2010-12:39pm at 12:39 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I don’t see KRod going anywhere – not with that contract.
Maybe about the only way it would happen is if some team in contention needs a closer mid season and going forward.
Hopefully this news means he’s recovered from his injury. Just one less question mark.
oleosmirf
12/8/2010-12:45pm at 12:45 pm (UTC -4)
i know many of you disagree but I dont see K-Rod finishing 55 games if the Mets really dont want him back. the simple solution is to not use him in the 9th inning when ithe game is not in doubt.
7 times he finished a game last season where the game wasnt on the line. take those away and keep his arm “fresh” while also giving Parnell a few chances here and there and you limit his games finished without making it obvious.
TRS86
12/8/2010-12:48pm at 12:48 pm (UTC -4)
I think it’s a catch 22 and a tight rope you have to walk. The last thing you want is controversy and the idea getting out that you are purposely trying to avoid a player option that the player allowed in a team friendly contract. You would have issues with the MLBPA as well as signing future FA.
stickguy
12/8/2010-12:57pm at 12:57 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t think the mets can be faulted if they go with a plan that says he only pitches for saves (or at home in the 9th or later in tie games). After all, that is what closers get paid the big bucks for!
if he is getting rusty, put him in for the 8th inning instead at home in a blow out.
it is also reasonable to limit consecutive days pitched, even if that means someone else finishes out a few games.
oleosmirf
12/8/2010-1:02pm at 1:02 pm (UTC -4)
exactly you still have to use K-Rod in save situations but when its 5-1 in the 9th inning use your “closer in waiting” Parnell instead.
wannybackstra
12/8/2010-1:23pm at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
This plan is cutting off your nose to spite your face.
First off, K-Rod needs work to be effective.
Second, if it is perceived that this is being done to prevent his option from vesting then the union will likely file a grievance for damages on all potential free agents will on alert that the Mets screw their players out of their negotiated contract terms.
Terrible terrible idea.
wannybackstra
12/8/2010-1:25pm at 1:25 pm (UTC -4)
typed too fast:
Second, if it is perceived that this is being done to prevent his option from vesting then the union will likely file a grievance for damages AND all potential free agents will BE on alert that the Mets screw their players out of their negotiated contract terms.
Terrible terrible idea.
njstuckintx
12/8/2010-1:34pm at 1:34 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, certainly agree.
Now, if they want to bring his inlaws to the games around early september in order to get around that 53 games finished thing…
metsfan4decades
12/8/2010-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
Hard to argue with those points.
Last thing the Mets need now that they’re trying to change the ‘image’ of the franchise is doing something like that.
TRS86
12/8/2010-1:46pm at 1:46 pm (UTC -4)
Not only that but the fact is that Krod took a team friendly deal like it or not. That extra money that he is getting should have been on the front end and guaranteed but he allowed Omar to backload it and make it an easily obtainable option.
stickguy
12/8/2010-1:52pm at 1:52 pm (UTC -4)
He did not take a cut rate deal. He was overpaid even without the option year. just because he wanted huge money and took less doesn’t mean he came cheap.
and what is the grievence? He signed to close, let him close.
and I expect taht the new FO isn’t going to run the budget the same way, spending money they don’t have and hoping they figure out how to pay for it later!
stickguy
12/8/2010-12:58pm at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
now, if you really want some fireworks, trade beltran for papelbon and see how those 2 get along!
TRS86
12/8/2010-1:47pm at 1:47 pm (UTC -4)
Now, IF you bring in a guy comparable to Krod then it would be hard for him to argue a case, of course you are also destroying your clubhouse in the process.
metsfan4decades
12/8/2010-1:01pm at 1:01 pm (UTC -4)
Franceour to the Royals.
Aw….I was really hoping that Philly rumor of picking him up was true.
Prismo
12/8/2010-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
You’ll enjoy this article:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/12/08/shocker-the-royals-and-jeff-francoeur-are-close-to-a-deal/
“He’ll just be there long enough, I presume, for there to be a whole new round of “Jeff Francoeur is focusing on working the count” articles this spring, as there are every spring. He’ll be there just long enough for people to realize that that one lucky first-pitch homer he hit the first week of the season is not indicative of his talents. He’ll be there long enough for him to depress Royals fans who want him to be their Great White Hope, and to cause Ned Yost to bench or platoon him. He’ll be there long enough for either him or his agent to complain in the press about him being an everyday player and wanting a trade because that’s what they do every year.
And then, in July or August, he’ll get traded to the Giants.”
fongy2
12/8/2010-1:15pm at 1:15 pm (UTC -4)
They’ve been hot for him for years now!!!
I clearly recall reading in multiple places that the Braves turned
down Frenchy for Greinke 3 or 4 yrs ago….The winter before
Greinke got his mind right.
wannybackstra
12/8/2010-1:32pm at 1:32 pm (UTC -4)
The Royals seem to like the Francouer type of player so I highly doubt he will be working on pitch recognition any more than Jose Guillen, Yuniesky Betancourt, Willie Bloomquist and the various other free swingers they have signed recently.
metsfan4decades
12/8/2010-1:45pm at 1:45 pm (UTC -4)
Franceour’s got more hope/second chances than a cat has lives.
It must be that smile.
fongy2
12/8/2010-1:51pm at 1:51 pm (UTC -4)
Still young and skilled with a couple solid seasons on his resume. Also, a mostly positive not negative force in the clubhouse, so…………
wannybackstra
12/8/2010-1:51pm at 1:51 pm (UTC -4)
Even guys would have to admit that the guy seems to ooze personality.
wannybackstra
12/8/2010-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t call it a comeback. He’s been here for years!
fongy2
12/8/2010-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
O.K. LL Cool J
oleosmirf
12/8/2010-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
here are some examples, Joakim Soria had 56 games finished, Heath Bell had 57, Brian Wilson had 59, Rafeal Soriano 56, Jose Valverde 55, Papelbon 53.
K-Rod needs 53 or less GF in order to prevent that terrible contract from vesting and I see no reason why that cant be accomplished without anyone crying foul play as that would put him on line with other top closers in the game.
kistics
12/8/2010-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
I wonder if the Mets can release him sometime in early September….
oleosmirf
12/8/2010-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
nope can’t do that but if we are out of contention is it that unrealistic for a team that needs a closer takes him on (given the Mets pay most if not all of his 2010 salary and dont ask for much in return)
kistics
12/8/2010-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t think any team is going to trade for him with his vesting option hanging over his head
oleosmirf
12/8/2010-2:14pm at 2:14 pm (UTC -4)
probably not but lets say a big market team in the playoff hunt loses their closer for the season, they might do it…
wannybackstra
12/8/2010-1:39pm at 1:39 pm (UTC -4)
Kistics: And if you’re a free agent next season, wouldn’t you take notice that the Mets dumped a player simply to avoid paying him the negotiated terms of his contract?
Not to mention the sh*t storm from the union.
kistics
12/8/2010-1:41pm at 1:41 pm (UTC -4)
Good point. Just a thought…
wannybackstra
12/8/2010-1:40pm at 1:40 pm (UTC -4)
That would be suicide from the front office and is certainly not the way you’d like see any one conduct business.
Ceetar
12/8/2010-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
Depends on how it goes. I mean, if there are a lot of close games..
You know what would help keep his games finished down? Another solid SP that pitches well enough that the Mets take bigger leads. So instead of 6-4 in the 9th it’s 6-2. If the Mets are really concerned about Omar giving him that option, then expend the extra money this year for better pitching, lower scores, less save ops, and no vesting closer. Also, instruct Collins to bring in K-Rod more often in tie games on the road, meaning he won’t be “held in reserve” for the end of those games.
oleosmirf
12/8/2010-1:35pm at 1:35 pm (UTC -4)
I know he’s going to be 41 but Takashi Saito had some pretty nasty numbers with an ERA under 3.00 and nasty SO numbers.
njstuckintx
12/8/2010-1:48pm at 1:48 pm (UTC -4)
i’d snap that guy up on a one year.
TRS86
12/8/2010-1:49pm at 1:49 pm (UTC -4)
Thing is as I pointed out above the reason that contract is so “terrible” is because Krod took such a team friendly backloaded contract. The extra money in that year is money he should have already gotten if he in good faith had not taken the team friendly deal.
stickguy
12/8/2010-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
54 or less actually.
wannybackstra
12/8/2010-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
What a ridiculously misleading and inflammatory headline. The content in the article does not even support the headline (and before you bash the writer, keep in mind that the writer often does not write the headline):
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2010/12/08/2010-12-08_exec_sees_mets_as_hotstove_joke.html
Ceetar
12/8/2010-1:32pm at 1:32 pm (UTC -4)
That’s the Daily News for you.
as for the writer..nothing particularly offensive, more than the usual anyway, from him. Not a big fan of his either though.
metsfan4decades
12/8/2010-1:49pm at 1:49 pm (UTC -4)
For crying out loud…
TRS86
12/8/2010-1:54pm at 1:54 pm (UTC -4)
Thus showing that media outlets are as bad or worse than blogs in hit mongering.
wannybackstra
12/8/2010-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
Saw a headline on Spyder that Obie will be the bench coach and some guy named Debus the pitching coach.
TRS86
12/8/2010-1:44pm at 1:44 pm (UTC -4)
pitching coach?
wannybackstra
12/8/2010-1:44pm at 1:44 pm (UTC -4)
bullpen, sorry.
Ceetar
12/8/2010-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
What’s the bullpen coach do anyway? just help warm guys up and make sure they have the right motions and aren’t injured and what not?
TRS86
12/8/2010-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
It’s mostly just an extra pitching coach.
Ceetar
12/8/2010-1:54pm at 1:54 pm (UTC -4)
btw, did you know that from the left field landing seats you can see into the bullpen bathroom?
stickguy
12/8/2010-1:59pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
Better tell David Cone in case they resign him for the pen.
Ceetar
12/8/2010-1:45pm at 1:45 pm (UTC -4)
maybe Warthen declined? *crosses fingers*
fongy2
12/8/2010-1:49pm at 1:49 pm (UTC -4)
DeBus is said to be Collins’ best friend in the game, so………..
b/t/w thanks for the link Wanny. I guess the Nats with Werth’s
contract isn’t a joke? The Newspaper industry really IS dead…
And the quality of writers further proves it.
wannybackstra
12/8/2010-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
Good point, Fongy II, the Nats and the Tigers have to be bigger jokes than anyone else right now. And whoever gives Cliff Lee a seventh season has to be right up there.
By the way, saw that the Marlins will go with Logan Morrison in LF, Coghlan in CF and Infante at 2B. Who would have thought that trading Uggla would hurt their defense!
TRS86
12/8/2010-1:54pm at 1:54 pm (UTC -4)
It’s the Marlins, they don’t play defense.
stickguy
12/8/2010-1:58pm at 1:58 pm (UTC -4)
Well, considering most of you have written off the Mets for 2011 anyway, there shouldn’t be that many save opportunities.
and how many other closers finish ~10 games in mop up duty? Based on the numbers above, probably not that many (K rod had 7 last year, and miseed what, a month? so I rounded off to about 10).
If collins uses him in save situations unless he has pitched too many days in a row, how the hell can anyone cry foul on that?
TRS86
12/8/2010-2:04pm at 2:04 pm (UTC -4)
Again, the only thing I would be careful of is what impression it gives. Players see through these things and any actions taken that could be said were to avoid the contract vesting would be detrimental to the Mets long-term.
oleosmirf
12/8/2010-2:29pm at 2:29 pm (UTC -4)
if he has roughly the same games finished as the other top closers in the game how can anyone complain???
see my numbers above…
TRS86
12/8/2010-2:31pm at 2:31 pm (UTC -4)
Again, as long as no one gets the impression that the Mets are limiting his games because of the option. My thing is why even try to limit them. Just see what happens and if he ends up finishing that many then so be it.
metsfan4decades
12/8/2010-2:11pm at 2:11 pm (UTC -4)
That would have been the only advantage for keeping Jerry. The way he managed that BP while he was here…no one would have questioned anything he tried. Just would have shook all our heads thinking ‘here he goes again’…..
TRS86
12/8/2010-2:06pm at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
I see the Pirates are trying to dump Ryan Doumit and would eat some salary in order to do so. I would not be opposed to giving him a shot to make the bench as a utility guy.
TRS86
12/8/2010-2:07pm at 2:07 pm (UTC -4)
Would give the Mets lots of versatility considering he plays C, 1B, LF, RF.
wannybackstra
12/8/2010-2:09pm at 2:09 pm (UTC -4)
He’s got at least 8.6m guaranteed for the next two seasons and then two options. Pricey for a guy in that role.
TRS86
12/8/2010-2:17pm at 2:17 pm (UTC -4)
Right, but I was basing it on the fact they were eating cash to get rid of him.
wannybackstra
12/8/2010-2:18pm at 2:18 pm (UTC -4)
In that case, he’d certainly be serviceable in that role (probably as a pinch hitter primarily) if they ate enough of the cash.
TRS86
12/8/2010-2:21pm at 2:21 pm (UTC -4)
Here’s a crazy thought, ship them back Perez. LOL. Take on all of Doumit’s salary and send them the difference.
stickguy
12/8/2010-2:35pm at 2:35 pm (UTC -4)
he does have a good track record with them.
or ship him and slappy to the Royals. They will apparently take anyone.
kistics
12/8/2010-3:16pm at 3:16 pm (UTC -4)
sign me up.
stickguy
12/8/2010-2:34pm at 2:34 pm (UTC -4)
had a good rant going at some of the dopeasses at MMO, so I will let y’all make fun of it too.
the nonsense level about 2011 and what Sandy did/didn’t say is is getting ridiculous.
He is NOT writing off 2011. He DOES expect to compete. And they are not jacking payroll up by another $20 mill.
and those three things are not mutually exclusive.
He also said that the team has a lot of (highly paid) talent on it already. More than many teams. And right now, 7 of 8 starting positions are filled, and 3/5 of th erotation (with Johan hopefully arriving at some point).
so, like he said, the holes to fill were bench, pen (neither of which is normally taking up big $$), 2B and 1-2 rotation spots.
2B they pretty much said will be a competition in ST among the guys on hand. I think that is a fine idea.
They are actively looking for at least 1 more SP to slot in, with the 5th being a ST scrum (gee, etc.). I think thye should bring in 2 guys, but 1 is absolutley needed.
They already got 1 guy for the pen, and likely add another 1-2 to compete in the spring. Again, fine.
BU catcher now filled. They also have quite an assortment of bench guys to fight for spots, and could bring in some more.
basically, a full team. And one that will absolutely compete with the rest of the floatsom in the NL for at least the wild card, if they stay reasonably healthy, get normal production out of key guys, and have 1-2 surprises or break out years.
IOW, the same exact thing you can say about all the other WC wanna bes.
and that is why he says they will compete, because they should.
Ceetar
12/8/2010-2:38pm at 2:38 pm (UTC -4)
That’s one of the sites I just can’t read. There are plenty of others. I can be very ornary.
But I agree, it’s not like this team is in shambles. I understand a lot of it feels like the same “hope and pray” strategy that people have falsely ascribed to the past couple of years, but it’s not. To reuse a misused point from last year..
the 2011 starting 9, as of right now, could contain 6 different guys. (Bay, Wright being the ONLY two guys that are the same)
metsfan4decades
12/8/2010-2:44pm at 2:44 pm (UTC -4)
I have no problem so far with the off season. Sandy hasn’t deviated from the outline of the plan he relayed to fans when he was hired.
MMO is one I occasionally visit strictly to read the ‘debates’ in the comment section. Funny stuff….
Mr North Jersey
12/8/2010-4:04pm at 4:04 pm (UTC -4)
I think that Alderson plans to compete but for some reason people interpret that to mean that somehow that meant he was gonna sign free agents.
He so far plans to compete with what he has for now at least at the moment that is what it seems to be.
The bigger deal is that he clearly feels the amount of contracts the Mets are currently committed to are a burden to the franchise and they just need to expire so that whatever future plans he has are more feasible.
I understand the stance on feeling the Mets can be a wild card team in 2011 I don’t envision such a thing at this time but gladly look forward to just seeing the team reach the goal of not just winning a world series but being a world series threat on a yearly basis.
stickguy
12/8/2010-4:28pm at 4:28 pm (UTC -4)
bingo.
put another way, he is saying that the 2010 team underperformed relative to the potential talent on the roster, based on lousy manager and coaching, bay being horrid, beltran missing 75% of the year, reyes having the thyroid and oblique, sunspots, raining cats and dogs, and swine flu.
and, it is hard to argue with the logic.
wannybackstra
12/8/2010-4:26pm at 4:26 pm (UTC -4)
Fatcessa killing the Mets for being cheap. Not sure how that could be a valid criticism given their league high payroll.
The problem is not the amount of money spent; it’s the distribution of it that leaves a lot to be desired.
stickguy
12/8/2010-4:34pm at 4:34 pm (UTC -4)
and the distribution isn’t something you can change overnight.
nice to know the fatso has a new dead horse to beat into the ground.
and a true point about them spending as much as last year, and probably top 3 in the NL (def behind phils, not sure about Cubs).
really, and he probably is too dense to realize it, but all this crap is actually calling out his buddy Omar.