MLBTR Chat Transcript

Are you ever going to do a nighttime chat? For those of us that can't participate during the day?

It's not like you're not on here at night...

Signing K-Rod would be a huge mistake for the Mets. After Johans contract, the corner OF situation, the SP situation, and the 1B situation, paying gigantic dollars to a closer would be a massive misstep. The problem is, people hear the name K-Rod, and don't care about the fact that he is a closer asking for SP money, or that his stuff is not nearly what it was a couple years ago (seems to have lost a lot of MPH of his heat), and that, like Tim said, saves are only a product of the chances you get. Besides, there is every chance that Eddie Kunz, Ambiorix Burgos (pitching again after having surgery in 07), and Bobby Parnell are all guys who can and probably will contribute in the Mets 2009 bullpen. Kunz closed at Oregon State, and is being groomed for the roll, Parnell is a AAA SP who throws in the upper 90's, and Burgos has always had the stuff to be a valuable arm in the pen. And speaking of Burgos... where are all of the haters saying Omar should be fired for trading away Brian (5.75/ 1.47) Bannister? The problem is, most fans hear the big name player and they want him, regardless of what they have to give up and whether the star player will still have good value for them after they give him a massive contract. Just like Santana. And taking away the saves, there is nothing that is that eye popping about K-Rod. He seems to work into and out of jams a LOT. And his 2.47/1.22 is just not that impressive. People complain about Wagner, but he has put up a 2.30/0.89 this year. I understand that Wagner blows more saves, and is older, but my point is that people complain about Wags all the time and talk about bringing in K-Rod, when the difference between the 2 is negligible.

And on Castillo (Luis), I actually, unlike most Met fans, don't mind having him around. Of course I didn't love the contract, but after 09 he should be movable. Eat half of his money and I am sure a team takes him for 2 years at 6 million or whatever it would be. And people seem to lov Easley, even though Castillo was out OBP and SLG Easley this year. Met fans have never gotten to see the real Castillo, the guy in FLA, and he is the type of guy, like a David Eckstein, that could be a huge part of winning in the postseason. A big problem with the Mets dating back to 06, is that while they have a very talented group of hitters, they simply cannot play small ball and produce a run when it is needed. Castillo is the kind of guy that can do that. The Mets talent can probably carry them through a long season, but in a short series things are different. A castillo could help. Plus, since returning from the DL, Luis seems to be moving MUCH better then I have seen him move since he was acquired last year. If he can get some of his wheels back, it improves his value dramatically, both offensively and defensively.

You could always bring someone else aboard who'll come on and do a chat every once in awhile at night. Maybe even an unannounced one here or there on a weekend. I'll even offer my own services there.

hey tim, thanks for answering my tiger needs question in the chat.

i have another question...what are your thoughts on DOntrolle Willis? do you see him converting into a position player or what?

look at Willis's stats last year, he had major upside. Rick Ankiel was one of those rare sucessful conversions but he never had success as a pitcher. Trust me on this one if Detroit was gonna give him away for a low cost alotta teams would jump on him to be a SP for their team.

"Rick Ankiel was one of those rare sucessful conversions but he never had success as a pitcher."

You must have missed Rick Ankiel's rookie year. At 20 years old, he finished second to Rafael Furcal for ROTY with a 11-7 record, 3.50 ERA, 194K, WHIP of 1.212, blah, blah, blah. You should look at his MiLB numbers as well, absolutely astounding. He was Clayton Kershaw with the ability to hit. Ankiel was the most promising young pitcher in baseball until he caught Steve Blass syndrome.

"Thats funny because they carry themselves in the exact opposite manner on the field. K-Rod acts like he just cured cancer every time he strikes out a .220 hitter. No class whatsoever...."

Aww. Still upset that the "lucky" Angels are making your A's look like a AA team?

"The fact is if he was on any other team, those fans would be happy to have a bulldog like Papelbon on the mound for the 9th."

I would much rather have K-Rod, Rivera (and I hate the Yankees), Saito or Wood. Papelbon complains too much and I have heard nothing about him working with younger pitchers to make them better.