According to multiple reports the Mets are interested in LHRP Brian Fuentes. Fuentes has bounced around recently and if I remember correctly was the Mets fall back plan to Krod a few short years ago. Now it appears Fuentes is trying to take advantage of a crazy market for relievers and is asking for 3/15. That’s a lot of money for a 34 year old. Lets say he can’t get exactly what he wants and has to settle for 2/10 with an option. That’s still pricey. However, check out the title. Anyone see where I am going with this? The Mets can actually save money by bringing in Fuentes.
Everyone in the blogging world knows about Krod’s contract situation. We have all counted exactly how many games he needs to make that kick in and many have discussed how to get around it. Usually that thought is batted down with the dreaded players union comments. However, if the Mets bring in a LH Closer to tandem with Krod how could the players union even be an issue? Could we see a situation where Fuentes gets 20 of Krod’s saves thus SAVING the Mets a ton of money? We know that regardless of Fuentes or not the Mets will have to spend 1-2M on a LHRP so take that cash out. Thus Fuentes is costing you an extra 8 M. What’s Krod’s dangerous option? 17.5 M (3.5M buyout). So based on my quick math the Mets could actually save around 9.5M (6M after buyout that was gone anyway).
This is the type of move I actually expect from Sandy. Fuentes not only makes the Mets better for 2011 and 2012 but actually saves them money longterm.
42 comments
Ceetar
12/29/2010-9:29am at 9:29 am (UTC -4)
It might save them money, but it’s not about money, it’s about wins and performances. Putting in the lesser Fuentes into more high-leverage situations would actively hurt the Mets success, and would also lead to less wins, less chance of a playoff berth and the money associated with that.
There is no way the Mets are going to go with a dual closer situation. And even if they brought him in, there is no way Collins is going to use him that way. The saves statistic is still there, still valued, and the Mets, like everyone else, are going to play a traditional closer role. Not even factoring in K-Rod’s mental state reguarding the slight to him.
Also, this puts you in a 2012 role of actually having a worse closer. Just as the team is supposed to be coming out of a ‘financial slump’ and getting better, you lose the best reliever. And you also risk making Frankie a type B by not pitching him enough when he does walk.
rustyjr
12/29/2010-9:50am at 9:50 am (UTC -4)
I sense a mets blog bump is a coming
Mr North Jersey
12/29/2010-10:09am at 10:09 am (UTC -4)
LoL. Bump!!!
njstuckintx
12/29/2010-10:18am at 10:18 am (UTC -4)
Interesting concept. I still think there is going to be some sort of grievance. If he sucks it up and loses his spot due to performance, fine. If he loses it because they don’t want the option to vest… trouble.
Ceetar
12/29/2010-10:23am at 10:23 am (UTC -4)
If the Mets are playing games, and Collins is playing games, with things like options and games finished, we’ve got bigger problems. No manager should even be aware of things like this. He should put K-Rod in when he provides the best chance at success, period. Unfortunately, the closer tag tends to make this not the case, but you can’t start thinking about anything but the game at hand when you call the bullpen.
njstuckintx
12/29/2010-10:23am at 10:23 am (UTC -4)
agreed.
metsfan4decades
12/29/2010-12:41pm at 12:41 pm (UTC -4)
Agree.
If KRod isn’t used for any other reason OTHER than his performance has been subpar, what kind of signal does that send to any other FA that might be contemplating a contractor signed in good faith with the NY Mets?
kistics
12/29/2010-10:37am at 10:37 am (UTC -4)
I agree that there will be some sort of grievance. I just can’t see a way out of next season’s option unless he gets hurt.
Ceetar
12/29/2010-10:31am at 10:31 am (UTC -4)
Frankie is still relatively young. What’s the feasibility of approaching him about reworking his contract into an extension at a lesser per year rate?
kistics
12/29/2010-10:35am at 10:35 am (UTC -4)
Not sure if the Wilpons would want that. They did try to void his contract last season.
Ceetar
12/29/2010-10:42am at 10:42 am (UTC -4)
Did they actually? I know I heard the rumors about it, but I wasn’t sure if they actually got beyond just voiding last year.
kistics
12/29/2010-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
It sounded to me that the Wilpons were disgusted with KRod’s behavior with all the troubles he was causing internally (fighting with BP coach and Tony Bernazard, etc) and the incident.
IMO, last thing Wilpons want to do is renew his contract.
But personally, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to re-work his contract. But for how much? MO got 2/$30 at age of 63. I would think KRod would demand similar figure for longer term. My guess is, his value is much lower in the FA Market.
njstuckintx
12/29/2010-11:17am at 11:17 am (UTC -4)
MO aged well.
Ceetar
12/29/2010-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
Do you really think his value is that much lower on the market? not sure about that. maybe now off teh thumb injury, but if he puts up K-Rod numbers.. He’s already making a lot. Sure, it’s more than he contributes in value, but even if you plug in another reliever and get equal results, you lose K-Rod, and that’s one less quality reliever on the team.
The closer position will always be an overpaid one. and that’s the only way you get Frankie. I’d be surprised if the Mets went with an internal option (unless they sign Fuentes I guess.. not that the Angels loved that change) in 2012 if they let him walk, so they’re going to overpay anyway. Might as well have the best guy. 3/45 would still be expensive. What about a flat extension, at a lower rate? Admit he’s over paid, but in terms of flexibility give him teh opt ion year now, when the rest of the payroll is lower, and then pay him closer to 11 million the two years after that? Incentives? bonues? who knows. What the wilpons feel about the guy shouldn’t matter, and you want players that good _on_ the team, not off of it.
kistics
12/29/2010-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
If I remember correctly, Rafael Soriano is looking for something like $10-11M per year for 3-4 years. If KRod is willing to accept 3/33M for 2012-2014, I would probably do that. But I don’t know if KRod would do it.
kistics
12/29/2010-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
I hear what you are saying, but I think that there will be a lot of options out there in terms of his replacements, I’m not sure overpaying him is a good idea.
fongy2
12/29/2010-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
Interesting theory…..Except it’s crazy thinking!….Right up there with
Elvis and Jim Morrison really aren’t dead, we blew up the Trade Center
ourselves and our Veep with his weather machine caused Katrina to hit
New Orleans AND THEN, GWB blew up the Levees by remote control.
Wow!!!….We really are having a quiet off-season!….We’re not signing
Fuentes or likely any other even quasi-name player. The Wilpons are
not spending the money and our new FO will spend at least the 1st half of the season evaluating the team and our farm system.
Get ready and use to it being a loooong 2011 Met season folks!
kingman 26
12/29/2010-11:09am at 11:09 am (UTC -4)
You really just have a tough time separating politics and sports.
I wonder why that is…
fongy2
12/29/2010-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
Love ya my friend….BUT in the 21st century sports IS politics!
fongy2
12/29/2010-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
………..OR…Maybe because I love and hate them both????
kingman 26
12/29/2010-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
Love ya right back, but for me, I like sports–and music–as escapes from the revolting political reality!
How the hell can the Dolphins be 6-1 on the road and 1-7 at home??
THAT is one for the ages!
fongy2
12/29/2010-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
It is very, very strange! Shame b/c the last 2 weeks have blown up your season. Also, I wouldn’t be too-quick to move
out yoru HC and Staff. They had a tough schedule and simply need another real-good draft or two.
I think The Pats are clearly the best team in the game at this point BUT even they’re not unbeatable. I agree with you about Sports as an escape BUT at every turn the dirty politics of….well, everything gets thrown in our faces.
I just saw the story on REAL Sports about how the Marlins
got their new Stadium…Dirty, dirty. Besides, I’m a little grumpy with the double standard The NFL has displayed with
their in season changing of rules and how its applied to my Steelers. many of us Steeler fans believe the League wants
no part of The Steelers in the Super Bowl due to all the stories which will be out there for two weeks about Big Ben
and what he’s done the past couple yrs.
fongy2
12/29/2010-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
Also…Brock…I really didn’t mean anything political with
my initial post, either pro or con.
kingman 26
12/29/2010-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
Cannot argue with any of that as usual!
Yeah, we did have a brutal schedule, but the recent losses to Cleveland, Buffalo and Detroit, especially Detroit, were all avoidable and inexcusable.
The defense is really improving, as is the o-line. We need a better QB and I think Ricky and Ronnie have seen their best days.
A better QB, RBs, and a TE, and we will be very, very good. The foundation is there.
Pats are looking unbeatable.
fongy2
12/29/2010-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
Dude!….w/t/f!….I thought Henne was the next Brady?!
really though, I wouldn’t worry too much. Your lines
are strong and when you have that you can build out.
If my Steelers had addressed the O and D lines just
a little bit more the past few seasons, we’d be unbeaten
and the SB favs this season. Our aging defense has carried the team this season BUT w/o Troy we have no shot once the playoffs start.
kingman 26
12/29/2010-12:12pm at 12:12 pm (UTC -4)
Henne looks good, but then he does what he did this weekend–we are up by 3 late at home against Detroit, and he throws TWO late INTs!!
He GAVE the game away.
He’s OK, better than expected, but we have a great punter and Henne never should have thrown either INT this week. Punt and let the defense stop a bad team.
Also, our clock management at the very end against BUF and DET was Herm Edwards-style.
fongy2
12/29/2010-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, there is no excuse in this day and age for bad clock mgmt.. not with the 10s of assistants and hanger-oners on the sidelines and up in the boxes.
And hey b/t/w, maybe you can answer b/c I scream
about this every weekend BUT…Why don’t almost any
of these Punters over the last decade or so coffin-corner kick anymore?? back in the 70s and 80s this
was VERY common. Multiple times a game,no matter who the Punter was you’d see it. There were many,many guys who Punted for yrs despite not having the strongest legs b/c they could put that ball
out of bounds inside the 20 all the time. ALSO, WHEN
did it become okay to constantly fair catch backing up inside the ten? Happens all the time now!
njstuckintx
12/29/2010-11:12am at 11:12 am (UTC -4)
But I thought Dub-ya enjoyed playing with remote controls… Hmm..
Yeah, I don’t put much merit into Fuentes coming here. It would make sense having another reliever with closer experience. Unfortunately it doesn’t make Cents. If they are going to go that way, I’d prefer if they went after Jon Rauch.
Also, anyone think K. Escobar would take a minor league deal? I think I read were his injury takes about a year or two to recover from.
fongy2
12/29/2010-11:19am at 11:19 am (UTC -4)
I think it would be a better idea to move KRod once the season starts and he shows he’s still KRod. What’s the point of a sub-.500, lower-tier, non-playoff contending team having one of
the better closers in the game? The difference b/t winning 72 and
78 games?
kistics
12/29/2010-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
There’s no way any team would take Krod with his vesting option looming.
fongy2
12/29/2010-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
Why not?? If he’s lights out and some team is fighting for
the playoffs but have Closer issues. We hear this with everyone, every year “THAT guy won’t get what he’s looking for”…Or….”No one’s gonna touch him” And low and behold
someone picks the guy up. No one would want a top-tier
RP, still in his 20s b/c they’d have to pick up his contract for another year???
kistics
12/29/2010-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
Because he’s probably not the only option out there for the contending teams. Before the teams look at KRod, there will be other options to trade for that will come much cheaper. Sure, that other option might not be the lights out guy like KRod (if that’s the scenario), but NO ONE in their right mind would want to pay a closer $17.5M in 2012.
fongy2
12/29/2010-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
There are plenty of teams’ FO that never seem to be in their right minds!
kistics
12/29/2010-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
well… that’s a discussion for another day..
metsfan4decades
12/29/2010-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
‘but NO ONE in their right mind would want to pay a closer $17.5M in 2012.’
You’re forgetting about the Yankees. Say come mid season the newly signed 40 year old Mo blows out his arm or shoulder. I don’t think the Yankees would blink an eye in taking on KRod and that contract, especially if it’s looking like a close 2 or 3 team race in that division.
kistics
12/29/2010-2:34pm at 2:34 pm (UTC -4)
But if the Yanks can get other closers like Soria, I don’t think they would even look at KRod.
TRS86
12/29/2010-11:42pm at 11:42 pm (UTC -4)
I can’t understand how there would still even be a hint of a grievance to file if the Mets signed Fuentes to partner with Krod. And by the way, to Ceetar who said we would be throwing out a much less pitcher when we sub Fuentes for Krod, not if you play the matchups. Fuentes is pretty damn good against LH.
njstuckintx
12/29/2010-11:47pm at 11:47 pm (UTC -4)
so you’re telling me dropping in a loogy to be the next closer by committee won’t raise some flags? right…
TRS86
12/29/2010-11:51pm at 11:51 pm (UTC -4)
Loogy? The guy is an established closer. His splits don’t even indicate Loogy.
TRS86
12/29/2010-11:53pm at 11:53 pm (UTC -4)
183 saves since 2005. That’s not some Loogy.
njstuckintx
12/30/2010-6:58am at 6:58 am (UTC -4)
He is trending to be a Loogy. Last year he had a .696 OPS vs. RH batters & a .371 OPS vs. LH Batters. He’s more than just a Loogy, I’ll grant you that. Maybe a little overboard on my part but his last few years have shown a significant difference between RH/LH batters and as he continues to age I would bet that the trend continues.
kistics
12/30/2010-9:03am at 9:03 am (UTC -4)
Say KRod did not have the vesting option, would you still use Fuentes as the match up closer?
If not, KRod and his agent has a pretty good case against the Mets.