The Mets have discussed relievers Octavio Dotel and Scott Downs, report Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. John Harper of the New York Daily News reported yesterday that the Mets scouted Downs and Kevin Gregg over the weekend. The Mets agreed to terms with free agent reliever Chad Cordero earlier today.
The FOX writers say the Mets are now more focused on relievers than starters. While they maintain interest in Ted Lilly, they've cooled on Jake Westbrook, Ben Sheets, and Brett Myers. Speaking of Myers, ESPN's Adam Rubin learned that the Mets and Astros have had very little conversation.
Dotel came up through the Mets' system more than a decade ago and was traded in December of '99 to the Astros with Kyle Kessel and Roger Cedeno for Derek Bell and Mike Hampton. That deal was engineered by Steve Phillips and Gerry Hunsicker back when Dotel was a starter. If Hunsicker had been able to give the Yankees a window to negotiate with Hampton before his walk year, imagine how New York baseball history would've been altered.
This year as the Pirates' closer Dotel sports a 4.62 ERA, 10.9 K/9, and 4.1 BB/9 in 37 innings, with five home runs allowed and 20 saves in 25 attempts. He has a 2.60 ERA since May 4th. Still, as ESPN's Jerry Crasnick implies, Dotel's stats suggest he should be a righty specialist. By the way, Dotel's 2011 club option becomes mutual if he's traded.
Morosi noted on Twitter last night that the Pirates are also getting calls on Joel Hanrahan, "but the price remains very high." Armed with a 95.6 mph fastball, Hanrahan has 56 strikeouts in 40.6 innings. His 12.39 K/9 ranks behind only Carlos Marmol, Billy Wagner, and Brian Wilson in the National League.
Dotel is decent and wouldn’t cost you a boatload.
Gregg sucks…
I like they got chad cordero, if he can be anything like he was, then the bullpen is fine. The mets need a number two starter. they needed one b4 last season when they thought pelfrey was gonna be it. they needed one b4 this season when they passed on every free agent around. now that pelfrey has lossed it they need one even more. im sorry but they need dan haren, especially if the phils get oswalt. they have a shot this year but they will prob waste it thinking their shit is better then whats out there. (the story of the offseason) well omar…perez maine and takahashi are not better. and lilly/westbrook are not going to get u in the playoffs, its haren or just throw in the towel now
Chad cordero was sick though
Gregg may actually work out well in citi field. He gives up a lot of homers, but citi can turn homers to fly outs.
Gregg actually has been keeping the ball in the park rather well this season with only 3HR given up. His problem is 5.40 BB/9 and 1.77 K/BB ratio.
I can see the future:
1) The Mets acquire Downs for a decent ransom.
2) Jerry Manuel continues to pitch Pedro Feliciano against both lefties and righties, but treats Downs strictly as a lefty-on-lefty specialist.
3) I seriously consider throwing myself in front of the 7 train rather than facing another game.
Dotel will be traded no matter what so might as well be th mets!
The Pirates are motivated to trade Dotel, but only because he can return value. The truth is they could just as easily keep him.
I say if the Bucs can get a major league ready SS or SP in exchange for Hanrahan, I would pull the trigger on that deal.
Only if either is the real deal. They would have to be able to keep they’re spot at least 3 years without much competition. And despite a history of no competition in Bucco-land, they actually would have to compete 2-3 years down the road. since the minors is really getting loaded up. One more good draft and the Bucs will look like the Rays.
“If Hunsicker had been able to give the Yankees a window to negotiate with Hampton before his walk year, imagine how New York baseball history would’ve been altered.”
I think the biggest effect on the present day, if the Mets never acquired Mike Hampton there would be no David Wright. He was picked in the supplemental first round with which they got when Hampton signed with Colorado.
David Wright wouldn’t have existed at all? I think you might need to re-read Bradbury.
Dotel misses bats which the Mets pen could use although Downs could flourish in a new league for 2 months.
Dotel misses RH bats
Personally, I don’t think the Mets don’t need bullpen help. Why is that?
Because they don’t have any leads to hold
get dotel and lilly and im happy
I still think the Mets need starting pitching more that Bullpen. Remember, if they get another starter, Takahashi goes back to the pen, and he was terrific out of the pen at the beginning of the year. I think Myers is an excellent fit.
Downs for F-Mart?
Sounds like too much until you include the Omar factor.
Mets can grab Nate Robertson now for probably nothing since the Fish finally DFA’d him. he can team up with Ollie and form the worst 1-2 punch in all of MLB and is just the kind of guy that Minaya targets.. Useless..