Davidoff's Latest: Mussina, K-Rod, Manny

If the Mets really feel that way about K-Rod, I think it significantly increases the chances he resigns with the Angels. The Mets are really the only interested team that have the cash to back up the interest, unless the Cubs suddenly decided to change course on Wood.

"If the Mets really feel that way about K-Rod, I think it significantly increases the chances he resigns with the Angels. The Mets are really the only interested team that have the cash to back up the interest, unless the Cubs suddenly decided to change course on Wood"

Agreed. I don't really see a team like the Cardinals ponying up the cash, and the Cubs probably would just sign Wood, considering the talk that they won't really add payroll.

"If the mets take this route, they should take on BJ Ryan and Huston Street plus sign a SP like A.J./C.C.(which i doubt) or at least resign perez."

I agree that if the Mets decide not to go after K-Rod, and don't sign Fuentes, then going after Street or Ryan in a trade and then a big time pitcher in FA could be an interesting idea. The Mets would likely have to shed some salary in a Ryan trade though if they wanted to add one of those starters, though. Obviously we could go over the whole Delgado-Ryan scenarios but I think most of us have gone over this before.

Mussina would become only the second pitcher to retire after a 20 win season.

"Mussina would become only the second pitcher to retire after a 20 win season."

Really? Who was the other? But you gotta hand it to the guy if he retires now. Going out on your own terms for a pitcher his age isn't usually in the cards.

As for the KRod not being a Met thing... well, I'll believe when I see the coronation of a Mets closer. Though signing someone else like Fuentes is a better choice. It would be ridiculous to spend 15M on a closer, considering Fuentes will probably cost only 10M and will probably give the same production.

if he does retire im really going to miss him. when he was on he was really fun watch. one of my all time favs.

If Moose retires now he's likely to have had a not quite good enough for the hall of fame career, similar to where I think Schilling will end up. I think he's in with just one more year like his last one.

As interest starts to wind down on KRod, do we see someone like the Indians up payroll a few million to sign him? They probably need more than 1 arm for that bullpen, but wouldn't having a competent guy in the 9th help them out a ton?

Personally, maybe I am just a little excited WVU just beat Auburn, but Fransisco Rodriguez is not the answer for the Mets. There is no free agent quick fix. Their is no answer. Look at the bullpens that are/were in the playoffs. They are all make shift bullpens with spare parts picked up along the way. We all saw how Billy Wagner turned out while we are watching "Lights out Lidge" pitch for the Phillies, while they only gave up Michael Bourn. Trading for Houston Street may be the start but its not just the closer the whole bullpen needs to be revamped so KROD cannot be a "Quick Fix". Lets Go Mountaineers!

"Is it just me or are teams realising that K-Rod (and closers in general) are not worth big money. Besides the declining speed on the fastball, and the fact he always has base runners, K-rod isn't that special to deserve 5 years or 75 million. Not even close."

K-Rod's decline in velocity is due to his new delivery and emphasis on pitching to contact. He is still extremely effective and now has 4 pitches, which is a lot better than most closers.

"Look at the Brewers, paid for the big name closer, ended up with a journeyman who did better."

Gagne is a totally different story. He has had terrible injury problems and will never the the pitcher he once was. He would be absolutely worth the money if he was the old Gagne.

Mets fans who claim to be happy that Minaya isn't going after K-Rod (which I don't believe for one second)or Manny (to a lesser degree) are so full of it. The team blew what - 28, 29 saves? And all of a sudden, the team is concerned with spending money (which is a joke in and of itself).

Of course, I wonder how these same Mets fans will spin their feelings if the team did sign K-Rod.

Yes, exactly because our bullpen blew 30 save chances, I'd rather sign Cruz, Torres and Beimel and trade for Gregg or BJ Ryan than just sign Rodriguez. As far as LF is concerned, I'm happy with Murphy/Tatis or Evans platoon, so no Manny. Need that cash for a starter.

@ tolo

Mets fans shouldnt be going crazy over the bullpen. I'll bet you ANY amount of money that they could stick with the same guys and have a substantially better year next year. Too many guys performed way below their career numbers, and there's no chance they're as bad next year.

Remember... just 4-5 less blown saves and they are the NL East champs.

stellar-

You have to take into account that the Phillies will also try to make improvements though.

And, bulllpens fluctuate, you are correct. I can show you multiple data points, but I don't think I need to.

But, I don't think the Mets go without signing SOMEBODY. My prediction was one of K-Rod/Manny.

Now that its neither of them, I'm betting its Orlando Hudson. Has to be.

David Wright, Aaron Heilmann, Johnathon Niese & Nick Evans to the Reds for Edwin Encarnacion, Javier Valentin, Johnny Cueto and Co Co Cordero.

The Mets are collecting all of the hispanic / dominican players to go along with their coach and gm.

Cordero is underpriced and this frees up money (Wright's deal) to sign any lost production...ie: Manny. Heilmann is booed even when he goes to take out the garbage...so he is expendable. They give a couple young guys and get back Cueto...who is considered to be a young Pedro.

The Reds get a solid RH bat to put between Bruce and Votto, a RH hitting prospect LF, a young LH pitcher to fill in for Cueto..although I am sure they would rather move Arroyo and Heilmann becomes their 5th pitcher.

Solid deal for both teams although it leaves the Reds searching for a closer...maybe Burton steps up.

Thoughts?

Holy sht someone's ignorant. If I'm Walt Jocketty, I do the deal though.

Wright will easily net you EE and Cueto, and then some.

Heilman, Niese, and Evans for Valentin and Cordero is ridiculously favoring the Reds.

"Cordero is underpriced and this frees up money (Wright's deal) to sign any lost production...ie: Manny. "

1. Cordero is NOT below market value.
2.Wright's contract is team friendly. AKA WELL below market value.

"The Mets are collecting all of the hispanic / dominican players to go along with their coach and gm."

You just lost all your credibility.

Whoa whoa whoa. This is crazy. I saw posts saying 12.5MM is fair for K-Rod? I mean I love Jonathan Papelbon and have a lot of respect for Mariano Rivera, but K-Rod is already on the same level as the top two elite closers in the AL. Rivera is currently making 15MM which is fair for being the best closer in baseball history. Papelbon will most certainly command the same kind of contract once eligable. So why is it fair to put the guy who was so effective for the angels and just set the record for most single season saves, and really the only guy with a true shot to break the all time saves record 12.5MM. AT MINIMUM K-rod deserves 4/60MM.

Lets face the facts. In order to win any time soon, the mets need to sign YOUNG talent such as K-rod.

How about peavy? a great option to trade for at below market value that the mets will pass up on. I dont care if you have to get rid of F-mart. This team is not going to win the offensive battle with Philly, and they need to accept that. I'm not saying that the Padres would go through with any trade offered by the Mets as they cant match other offers that may be on the table (not enough quality prospect pitching), but at least give it a shot. If they are going to win in 2009 here are the signings they MUST make

1. Find a way to trade for peavy as your number 2
2. Sign AJ Burnett or Ben Sheets. Pony up the money, they are going to have to to make this team attractive to these players.
3. Sign a big closer, fuentes would do but i'd recommend throwing out 4/60MM to k-rod and see if he gets anything better.
4. pick up the option and TRADE DELGADO WHILE YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO. Yes he had a great 2 months or so and almost single handedly carried the mets into the playoffs. IT WONT HAPPEN AGAIN. At 12MM Delgado would appear a bargain deal for many teams that have hopes he'd put up numbers again. If the mets have to eat up to 2MM to get it done, do it. The mets are moving toward a younger team with the base being wright, reyes and even beltran is like 30.
5. DO NOT under any circumstances resign Oliver Perez. he is not a big game pitcher as he has proven time and time again. hes very inconsistant and the only reason he is going to get money is because boras is his agent. Whoever signs him is going to be very disappointed, mark my words.

So here is the rotation going into 2009 if they follow this pattern

1. santana
2. peavy
3. sheets/burnett
4. maine
5. pelfrey

with a pen featuring either k-rod or fuentes you now have the PITCHING that got the rays to the series this year, the sox to the series last year the diamondbacks to the series multiple times ect. The offense will be ok without delgado, and hopefully they'd move him for another power bat. Preferably one that doesn't strike out or ground into double plays when the game's on the line. If you look at the splits for last season, in the late innings delgado bat under .230. That is unacceptable. The mets are in need of a slugger they can count on with the game on the line, not a slugger they should probably pinch hit for.

and for those who say "oh they would be increasing payroll too much". If they are not willing to spend 30-40MM this offseason, they are basically accepting the current team as a flop and should fire sale.

"I have a question I am hoping either Tim or someone here can help me with. When did they change the rules as to what constituted a save? I know at one point you had to pitch to the tieing run but now you can come in with a 3 run lead ( in some circumstances) and get the save."

You earn a save if you are not the pitcher of record, pitch at least 1/3 of an inning, and are the final pitcher for the winning team in one of the following situations:

1) The lead is 3 runs or less

2) The tying run is on deck when you enter the game (say, 5-0 game, bases loaded)

3) You pitch at least 3 innings

Also, I really can't commit to how I feel about Manny. It's tough. IMHO, we should take a chance on either him or Delgado for 2009. I know I'll get poo flung at me for that statement. The team did suffer by depending on too many old men, but the answer to that problem isn't avoiding them altogether.

Santana/Beckett FTW
you really think that f-mart would get a peavy deal done. they are looking at a top tier future ace not a centerfeilder. why your at wont dont you sign CC to. i know that these posts are just thoughts but get real dude. you are right about not being to outslug the phillies. you need a closer and a second tier starter.

Edit: Actually, they scored the same exact amount of Runs, but the point remains the same that Philly's Offense wasn't better this year.

"Whoa whoa whoa. This is crazy. I saw posts saying 12.5MM is fair for K-Rod? I mean I love Jonathan Papelbon and have a lot of respect for Mariano Rivera, but K-Rod is already on the same level as the top two elite closers in the AL. Rivera is currently making 15MM which is fair for being the best closer in baseball history."

Playoffs.

Since that wonderful run in 2002, K-Rod has been absolutely atrocious in the playoffs. Atrocious atrocious atrocious.

He will probably be getting the Heilman treatment in NY soon after his signing.

And a huge disparity on the value of closers. I don't buy the hype.