Three of the NL East teams generated considerable buzz with their offseason moves, but the Mets and Braves remained relatively quiet. Here's the latest on the Mets via Andy Martino of the New York Daily News…
- The Mets are considering numerous options regarding R.A. Dickey's contract, Martino reports. The club views the knuckleballer as someone who can contribute for years and they may preemptively guarantee his 2013 option at $5MM.
- I don't see the value in doing this from the team perspective unless Dickey agrees to add club options for later years. Otherwise there's minimal benefit to guaranteeing the option now in my view.
- The Mets considered releasing Mike Pelfrey in a recent meeting, but on-field staff didn't favor the idea and it was dismissed, Martino writes. Releasing the right-hander before Opening Day would save the Mets nearly $5MM, since his contract is non-guaranteed.
- Mike Baxter will make the Mets unless they acquire someone from outside of the organization, Martino writes.
- Left-handed reliever Josh Edgin "has opened a lot of eyes," a club official told Martino. Edgin won't make the Opening Day roster, but he could join the team at some point.
My, how Pelfrey has fallen. I remember him being quite hyped at one point. Wasn’t he a key rotation member just a couple of seasons ago?
You’re right. I can’t figure out why he didn’t progress more than he has.
You’re right. I can’t figure out how he’s gone wrong; he looked so promising back then.
Pelfrey added a splitter to his arsenal which helped him in 2010 but teams have adapted and his velocity has decreased. He was rushed too quickly to the majors and lacks confidence on the mound. He has personal and mechanical issues.
I for one would like pitching coach Dan Warthen to be fired. He is a holdover from the last GM and should have been dumped along with the Omar and Jerry show.
Pelfrey is from the John Maine class. Both pitchers had decent pitches, not great, but their downfall is their mentality. Once both pitchers get into trouble, they just blowup as opposed to fighting the adversity. John Maine was just more of a headcase than Mike Pelfrey, and I think Pelfrey has the better pitches than Maine…
Yes, that makes a lot of sense too. Never thought of them as similar before, but they really are.
Good concise explanation – you’re sure right about his confidence, he looks so tentative now.
The Mets drafted Pelfrey in the first round in 2005 and was promoted the majors in 2006. Teams after the Mets drafted guys like Andrew McCutchen, Jay Bruce, Matt Garza and Clay Buchholz in the first round.
I still stand by Jason Hammel for Pelfrey. Although, if I knew his contract was non-guaranteed I would have offered Dana Eveland and told the Mets to like it! :p
PS Boras must be getting soft LOL! Non-guaranteed contracts when has he ever done that?
Ever since he signed the contract as an arbitration-eligible player.
Picking up Dickey’s option does indeed make sense as prelude to a longer term deal that would be fair to both sides. An extension now is risk with 37-year old, but he’s a knuckleballer who could be pitching for another decade. That risk could be offset with a more favorable deal for the Mets that saves them money in the long haul and keeps him from testing the open market and the inherent risk of waiting to get there.
Picking up the option and/or offering extension is also a gesture of goodwill toward a fine pitcher, a unique human being and someone who garners profound respect. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Mets and Dickey are in process of working out an extension right now or quite soon.
The life of successfully knuckleballers at the age of 37 is generally many more years left in the tank. The only problem with Dickey, is that he only has 2 previous years of success to judge by and the mets would need to see another year (or even 2) before offering up any kind of deal going into the LT future.
As for knuckleballers going well past the 40’s and having good futures.. There is aplenty.. Both Niekro brothers, Hoyt Wilhelm, Wake of course.
There were few others who didn’t last that long also, but that was due to burnout and innings load..Wilbur Wood.. Wood pitched an amazing 730IP between 72-73 seasons. Wood was done by his mid 30’s.
By and large, many successful knuckleballers have gone into mid 40’s and Wilhelm into his 50’s.
In regards to picking up Dickey’s option now, it would be a move that would put the Mets in good graces. They’re probably going to pick it up anyway. Showing some love to Dickey now means he could maybe help them out contractually in the future. In addition, Dickey is one of the most popular players on the Mets in the fans eyes. Doing this would be a very popular move to the fans. For an ownership so unpopular to the fans, a move like this would only be beneficial to them.
Lock RA up long term. Guy’s a warrior.
What do you mets fans think of Baxter? Good back-up?
yeah, ,,,,,,,at buffalo
Maybe with the big club – I’d like to see a little more of him this year.