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« Yankees Sell Rasner To Japanese Team | Main | Yankees Pursuing Peavy »
Mets Concerned About K-Rod's Velocity
John Harper of the New York Daily News has been reporting on a rumor that Francisco Rodriguez's decreased velocity last season has been a source of hesitation for the Mets. Harper reported yesterday,
"...a source said the Mets 'have concerns' about... K-Rod's dip in velocity, from 95-96 mph a couple of years ago to 91-92 mph this year, also is a concern as he seeks a long-term deal.
"His velocity was down and he had back-to-back years of heavy use," the source said. "The history in those cases for most guys is that it catches up to you."
A legitimate concern that every ball club should be scrutinizing but not something a player's agent(s) are ever keen to be publicized. And in another article updated last night, Harper published their immediate response:
"K-Rod's agent, Paul Kinzer, insists that such talk is misinformed. He says that Rodriguez is more comfortable throwing his fastball at lower velocities because it gives him better command. 'I saw him hit 96 (mph) twice and 97 once late in the season..." Kinzer said Saturday. "The velocity is there when he needs to reach back for it. He told me he's just more comfortable around 92-93.
'He says he has a better feel for his change-up when he's not overthrowing his fastball, and his change-up has become a big part of his arsenal.'"
I'm surprised Kinzer could not muster up a more convincing defense considering his client, due to his violent delivery, has long been considered a potential for injury.
In that same article, Harper cites a source that says the Mets are looking to sign a closer for no longer than three years.
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He's dropped his velocity because it helps his control. Several other pitchers have done that. Another pitcher who's done that would probably be Seth McClung of the Brewers. He can throw heat, but he's much more effective when throwing at lower speeds and controlling.
I'd be worried about his declining peripheral stats though. K/BB, BB/9, WHIP, etc. There is much to worry about, but his velocity/mechanics aren't it.
Posted by: melonis rex | November 16, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Carfado:
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2008/11/16/reaching_beyond_the_stars/
Gammons:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=gammons_peter
There is some pretty interesting stuff in there. Carfado focuses on the "next level" Free Agents.
Gammons is still writing about the economy.
Posted by: soxcurse | November 16, 2008 at 10:09 AM
The Mets would be better off signing Hoffman for $5M than signing one of these Wild Cards to a 3 or 4 year deal. K-Rod would surely be $14M-$15M per season over at least 3 seasons.
Hoffman $5M 1-year deal
Affeldt $4.25M per over 3 years
Cruz $3.75M per over 3 years
Farnsworth $2M 1-year deal
=$15M
thats how you make a bullpen, not by signing one guy
Posted by: Dominatio | November 16, 2008 at 10:18 AM
"I'm surprised Kinzer could not muster up a more convincing defense"
If you are going to include something this highly opinionated you should probably substantiate it more. Based on what we have hear I'll side with the agent over you. Like rex said there are plenty of reasons to be worried about k-rod at the crazy price he will fetch but you do little to convince me on this one here.
Posted by: walkoffblast | November 16, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Oh, come on. Just sign K-Rod. 4/56. Geterdone. It's called control and delivery altering. And you know what? he altered his delivery to AVOID injury. Trade FMART for JENKS??? You gotta be kidding...
Posted by: locofococo | November 16, 2008 at 10:20 AM
K-Rod's walks
2005: 32 in 67.3 innings
2006: 28 in 73 innings
2007: 34 in 67.3 innings
2008: 34 in 68.3 innings
Where's the increased command? And his K-Rate has gone down.
Link about K-Rod's Mechanics:
http://www.chrisoleary.com/projects/Baseball/Pitching/ThePitchingMechanic/2007/ThePitchingMechanic_200709.html#Quick%20Look:%20Francisco%20Rodriguez
If it's Smoltz or Pedro like, then he should be fine as a reliever. But still, the 3 MPH drop obviously hurt the strikeout rate while the rest of the walk and HR rate stayed steady.
Posted by: Victor | November 16, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Convincing or not, it's accurate.
With the changeup, which he really only started throwing with frequency this past season.... he's now got 4 out pitches, and no longer solely relies on his fastball or slider. It's a development that should take some strain off his arm and that violent delivery that is a concern to his critics.
Batters had stopped swinging at his sliders... making him throw them for strikes...so he developed the changeup. I give the guy credit for adjusting.
Posted by: DrewB | November 16, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Myths about K-Rod:
1. His delivery puts him at injury risk. Wrong. People have been saying this about since he was in minors. It's now SEVEN years later without an injury. Sure, he might get injured, but the probability isn't any higher than a pitcher with a traditional motion.
2. K-Rod has lost velocity. Wrong. K-Rod can still dial it up. I watch plenty of Angel games and he hits 95 routinely. As stated, his goal is to lower velocity and work more on control. I will say that he has lost a few MPH but nothing substantial.
There is no doubt that K-Rod has lost something. The bite on his slider isn't nearly as wicked and his slower fastball is more hittable. However, he is transitioning his pitching style. This was year 1. I fully expect him to improve even more.
Finally, like others there is reason to pause when considering K-Rod. His WHIP is way too high. He is always pitching with men on base. And while he generally gets out a jam, it's not pretty and he does get burned on occasion. K-Rod is a top tier closer - just not in the same category as the great ones. A 4/50 deal seems reasonable for both K-Rod and his new team.
Posted by: bjsguess | November 16, 2008 at 12:24 PM
So the Mets are worried about K-Rod's velocity allegedly going down from 96 to 93.
But they are willing to go after a guy who throws 100 mph but can't strike anyone out?
Posted by: icedrake523 | November 16, 2008 at 12:54 PM
The Mets need to sign K Rod if they dont Omar Minaya needs to be fired.... simple as that...
Posted by: BaseballFanatic40 | November 16, 2008 at 01:39 PM
"He's dropped his velocity because it helps his control. Several other pitchers have done that. Another pitcher who's done that would probably be Seth McClung of the Brewers. He can throw heat, but he's much more effective when throwing at lower speeds and controlling.
I'd be worried about his declining peripheral stats though. K/BB, BB/9, WHIP, etc. There is much to worry about, but his velocity/mechanics aren't it."
Exactly. The declining velocity is part of it, the increasing changeup velocity is what worries me more. For all you dopes who think the Mets need K-Rod ( I am really looking at you here BF40), lets see what tune you are singing when the 15 million dollar closer is being talked about as a huge free agent bust sometime in 2012 or something. As others have said, K-Rod's contract will be bad, it is only a matter of bad for which team.
Posted by: nrmax88 | November 16, 2008 at 01:57 PM
This is great news though. Everyday I hear something that seems to downplay the Mets interest in K-Rod, or the general interest in K-Rod. Leave him alone. Go get Kerry Wood. Convert a starting pitcher, internally or from outside the organization. I think K-Rod and his agent have overestimated his value more then any recent free agent I can remember. Started off demanding 5/75, then realized literally nobody would touch him for that, now his own team says they are parting ways, and K-Rod is down to one real suitor. I love it.
Posted by: nrmax88 | November 16, 2008 at 02:00 PM
wow he hit 95-96-97...i watched alot of those game(being on west coast) and i saw his flat fastball top out at 93 throughout the season
Posted by: kevinhendrix9 | November 16, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Way to go Towney. Couldn't have said it better myself.
Posted by: nrmax88 | November 17, 2008 at 10:58 AM