My apologies for the delay this morning. Crazy technical difficulties.
Anyway, I've been to two of Johan Santana's starts this season, and in both, he labored like crazy against bad teams. On April 29, he threw 114 pitches to the Pirates and lasted just 5 2/3 innings, needing Pedro Feliciano to bail him out of trouble in the sixth. And on Saturday, the Mets' new ace fired 116 pitches for six innings in a victory over the Reds, and if he hadn't struck out Corey Patterson with Reds on first and third, he might have been lifted.
So I now admit: It is somewhat vexing that Santana isn't mowing through the NL with more ease. Yes, his overall numbers are just fine, and yes, we know he historically improves alongside the warm weather. But still. I'm surprised that Santana has needed to work so hard to not even get very deep into games.
Consider this: Santana has thrown 110 or more pitches in four of his eight starts this season. Last year, he reached that number in just six of his 33 starts. And it's not like Willie Randolph and Rick Peterson are pushing Santana late into games. They're just trying to get him to finish six innings.
What do you think, Mets fans? Something to shrug off, or not? I'm beginning to get a tad curious, myself.
If you watched Game 2 of Saturday's day-night Mets doubleheader, you could argue that the game's tenor changed in the bottom of the third inning. With a 1-1 tie, David Wright on first base and one out, a suddenly hot Carlos Beltran drilled a double into the right-centerfield gap. Wright is fast, of course, but legendary Reds rightfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. got to the ball quickly and got it back in quickly, and Wright was easily nailed at home plate in a 9-4-2 relay. So instead of Mets on second and third with one out, with the now-useful Carlos Delgado needing a fly ball to break the tie, they had Beltran on second with two outs. Delgado grounded out to shortstop, and the Mets didn't get another hit in the game.
It was, to use one of my favorite phrases, a "bad send" by Mets third-base coach Sandy Alomar, and it's not even close to the first time this year. With all of their other issues _ age, health and recent history, for starters _ the last thing the Mets need is a problem in the third-base coaching box. Alomar has got to pick up his game, and if he can't, the Mets should consider a change.
For my Sunday Insider, I wrote about Freddy Garcia, who will throw off a mound on Thursday for the first time since undergoing right shoulder surgery last August. As long as Garcia can prove he's healthy, he should set off a spirited battle for his services. I gave the Mets the upper hand to get him. They didn't go after Kyle Lohse in the spring because they decided they'd rather pocket their money, get an early read on the season and then be prepared to spend for more in July. Garcia's agents think he can join a big-league rotation right after the All-Star break.
By the way, add two more teams to my list of potential suitors: The White Sox and Rangers.
Well, I think it's about time for me to give up on Kei Igawa. I didn't see Friday's game, but the brutal numbers speak for themselves. My faith was based on the faith of people whose opinions I respect. The Padres claimed Igawa on waivers last year, and San Diego GM Kevin Towers routinely makes great pitching acquisitions. And the Red Sox have been hoping that the Yankees give up on Igawa, so that Boston can make an end-around effort to get him (obviously, the Yankees wouldn't give Igawa directly to the Red Sox). I will no longer challenge any of you who rip Brian Cashman for the $46 million fiasco that is Igawa. And Yankees fans should be thankful that yesterday's rainout in Detroit will likely push Igawa far away from a pitcher's mound. At this point, wouldn't starting Igawa be an insult to the other 24 players in uniform?
This news reminds me of this episode of "The Simpsons," and to the Dolans, I'd like to echo Kent Brockman's offer:
And I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords. I'd like to
remind them that as a trusted TV personality, I can be helpful
in rounding up others to toil in their underground sugar
caves.
Thanks to this site, and this one, and this one, and this one for the help today.
Comments (19)
Ken,
Here's what I think about Kei Igawa and you jumping off his bandwagon:
Derek Jeter's VORP blows! Even after his 1 home run! He's the Kei Igawa of shortstops!
Sincerely,
Ken:
It could be worse - I thought that the Padres would actually play well again this year. You missed on one player, I missed on an entire team.
They are the Kei Igawa of teams. (The new reference point we will use to take the place of the Mendoza line.)
MLB needs to beware of the Japanese starters coming over here to pitch. Hideo Nomo has been the best of a bad lot so far (Matsusaka hasn't impressed me much yet, but he could get better). The relievers have been a lot better. But if you are spending that kind of money on their starters, you better be getting Greg Maddux at least and not Shawn Estes (I can't believe he's back in the majors!)
Ken, I wasn't aware that Igawa ever HAD a bandwagon. That's really interesting information about the Red Sox hoping to get him. That's the first time I've heard of this. I'm sure the Yankees wish they could do a little "Heroes"-esque time travel and make that happen.
Sandy, Matsuzaka hasn't impressed you much? Have you been watching him pitch this year? He has a 178 ERA+, which is better than Mr. Satana, by far. In fact, it's better than every other starter on the Sox, Mets and Yankees. He's been too wild, but he's having a very good year.
Sntana's high pitch count is puzzling...let's hope it's not a problem in the dog days of August and down the stretch.
Your Simpsons references are great. That is one of my favorite moments. You just need to find a way to involve the StoneCutters.
As for Igawa...without knowing anything, I thought that was an insanely dumb signing. If you're not elite in Japan, I'm not sure how great you will do here.
Santana will be fine. Like you said, he needs to warm up. Just be patient.
And you made a mistake in your article on Sunday (though you wont think its a mistake). The best available free agent pitcher isn't Freddy Garcia...its Roger Clemens. Yes Clemens is a lot better than Garcia even with all his baggage. And if someone wants him, he'd come back.
Ken when does Jene Afterman get questioned on Kei Igawa's signing ? Analyzing player tendacies, signing free agents, tracking major league player movement, arbitration, negotiating contracts and budgeting was her line of work… how is she suppose to be a future GM in MLB also how does she take the credit for Hideki Matsui's signing yet hasn’t made one peep about Kei Igawa. Why is it that 46 million is shrugged off in this case ?
Baileywalk: considering how much Matsuzaka cost Boston, how he fell apart in August and September last year (he was pretty good thru July) and how many pitches he throws thus having to leave games in the 5th or 6th inning, I'd say he hasn't been worth it yet (but he has an upside).
Brandon, Jean Afterman doesn't evaulate players. Re: Matsui, she got credit for establishing a relationship with the Yomiuri Giants, but not for determining his viability as a player. The point person in the Igawa scouting was Gordon Blakeley.
Richie, I agree that Clemens would be better than Freddy, but Clemens doesn't want to come back, and his off-the-field issues have made him as much of a pariah as Bonds.
I can only hope Santana's mediocre performances stem from his inability to excel during the cooler weather but as we approach Memorial Day I am becoming conerned. I did watch a few of his games from Port St. Lucie and observed some moments of greatness. Let's give Mr. Santana a few more starts before we label him the Flushing Igawa.
Speaking of The Simpsons, I'm sure after Igawa's last start, Yankee fans turned off their TV's early and remembered that scene between Bart and Homer:
Bart: Why didn't you come to any of my little league games?
Homer: I TOLD you, I found them boring.
~Howard
Dolan to Ken shortly after the purchase closes - from "Who Shot Mr. Burns, Part One".
I will not suffer your insubordination. There has been a
shocking decline in the quality and quantity of your toadying. And you will fall into line, now!
KDog -
Just don't daydream in your initial interview w the new bosses like Homer did when the German conglomerate took over the power plant ("That was 10 minutes ago!!")
Rock
Ken, you are right on target with tagging Gordon Blakeley for the Igawa fiasco. I don't know if he can be successful on the MLB level, but I am confident saying he won't ever do it in NY. He has to go somewhere else. Whatever portion of his salary the Yankees can unload they should do it.
In a perfect world Clemens would be a good pick-up because the Yankees need someone to get them through the rest of this season while the young kids have time to develop. If Garcia wants a multi-year contract, as I am sure he will, I don't think the Yankees should go for him. If he could put them over the top (into the playoffs) then I would, but I don't think he can. Even if Clemens wanted to pitch again (and in NY), there's too much swirling around the guy to come to a media capital like NY.
Didn't Santana have a very mediocre second half in 2007? Wasn't it warm in the second half? I am still happy the Yankees didn't sign him. As you said Ken, it's going to take 3 or 4 years to really evaluate this deal (or lack of a deal from the Yankees perspective).
I hope the Dolans' purchase of Newsday leads to some type of TV gig for you. A year-round one hour a week show would be nice. Hey, why not?
How about "Everybody Hates Ken"? ;)
Garcia might ask for a multi-year deal, Jim, but I'd be surprised if anyone gave it to him. Shoulder surgeries are always more tricky than elbows. At best, I'll guess, Garcia would get a team option for '09 & a buyout.
In that case, I say "go get Garcia."
Let's switch gears: Look into the Davidoff crystal ball - Does Kim Ng ever get to a GM's position?
Ken, is Delgado's agent truly this unprofessional?
http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2008/05/breaking_news_delgados_agent_i.html
Yes, Jim, I think Kim Ng will get an opportunity to be a GM at some point. When you look at the wide range of people who receive a chance to run a baseball team, and those people's experiences, Kim, who now is in her 11th year as an assistant GM, deserves a shot. And she'll get one.
I read Graziano's blog, Craig. Sloan is definitely a few Chicken McNuggets short of a Happy Meal. I remember the year Delgado was a free agent (and ultimately signed with Florida), Sloan would send out daily e-mails to the media. In one of them, he announced he was seeing a concert that night (it was an old-time rock 'n ' roller, can't remember precisely who it was), so please don't bother him.
Ken,
I like your style, but "Everybody hates xxx" has already been taken, as you know, for the STARZ pilot of the series about Jason Diamos.
Steve Buscemi as Jason Diamos, Antonio Banderas as Rafael Hermoso, Fred Gwynn as Tom Hill, Pee Wee Herman as Larry Rocca, James Earl Jones as Marty Noble, James Coburn as Kit Stier and Ray Romano as Dave Waldstein.
For some reason, I see a USA Network movie about you in the offing, and I know just the guy at yes.com to play you. Don Knotts has already agreed to play Eichenballbag.
Ken --- as usual you don't have accurate facts on the igawa signing