Mike Adams was never going to match the 0.73 ERA he posted for the Padres in 2009, but his 2010 season hasn't been bad at all. In a career high 63 appearances, Adams has a 1.79 ERA and he's striking out more than a batter per inning. If the Padres choose to extend Adams this offseason, they could model a deal after one signed by another right-handed setup man who strikes out tons of batters without the benefit of an upper-nineties fastball.
When Michael Wuertz signed an extension with the A's last offseason, he had similar career numbers to the ones Adams has now. Adams has a lower ERA than Wuertz did and he walks fewer batters, but he hasn't pitched as much as Wuertz had. As the table below shows, Adams is now in a similar position to the one Wuertz found himself in a year ago.
Wuertz ultimately signed a two-year $5.25MM extension that covered his remaining two arbitration seasons. The Padres could look to buy out Adams' remaining two arbitration seasons for a similar amount this winter. Given the pitchers' remarkably similar rate stats, service time and salaries, a two-year deal worth $5MM or so would be fair value for both sides.
Mike Adams since becoming a Padres: 6-4, 154 Games, 162 2/3 innings, 1.83 ERA, .95 Whip, 10.3 SO/9
If the Padres get him at 2 years/5 mil, and they’re out of it at the deadline, he would bring the biggest haul from a middle reliever EVER.
Honestly, those numbers are better than the average closer.
Adams has been hurt the last 2 years and still racked up some good numbers. Though ERA is outstanding, his availability has not been 100%.
That’s what I find amazing. He’s had a rather extensive injury history-two knee surgeries (both knees), shoulder surgery, and has missed a significant amount of time in the past, I think he’s hit the DL at least once every year since he’s been a pro. Then he returns to the mound like nothing ever happened to him. Left, right, home, road, he’s good against everyone everywhere. I’m glad that people are starting to notice him. He’s been one of the best relief pitchers in baseball for 3 years running, and almost no one knows who he is.
He brings that killer instinct too. I love pitchers that don’t mess around with throwing a ball when the get a hitter to 0-2. Mike Adams just comes right at you.
That’s what I find amazing. He’s had a rather extensive injury history-two knee surgeries (both knees), shoulder surgery, and has missed a significant amount of time in the past, I think he’s hit the DL at least once every year since he’s been a pro. Then he returns to the mound like nothing ever happened to him. Left, right, home, road, he’s good against everyone everywhere. I’m glad that people are starting to notice him. He’s been one of the best relief pitchers in baseball for 3 years running, and almost no one knows who he is.
He brings that killer instinct too. I love pitchers that don’t mess around with throwing a ball when the get a hitter to 0-2. Mike Adams just comes right at you.