Lowe, Manny and Pedro
Despite a superb job by Regis and Mike, I thought I'd make a special cameo this morning to wish everyone in the blogosphere a Happy New Year. Oh, and also to mention today's story involving the Mets' pursuit of Derek Lowe, and a backup list for the rotation that includes -- in order -- Oliver Perez, Randy Wolf and Jon Garland.
A couple of other interesting notes from the story: Even with the slow developing market for Manny Ramirez, it appears the Mets are going to sit this one out. As of Jan. 1, anyway. Man-Ram is still going to get his $22-$25 million per season, in a contract that will run a minimum of two years, and that seems to be too rich for the Mets.
If I was GM, however, and I could get Ramirez for two years, I'd make a serious play for him, even with the steep price. In the first year, you'd get the honeymoon phase and in the second, he'd be playing for a contract again, so there's really no time for him to be a negative influence, as Ramirez was during his final weeks in Boston.
And don't count out Pedro Martinez just yet. As long as Petey remains unsigned, the Mets are bound to be a factor, and they could easily add him after Lowe or Perez. Martinez liked playing for the Mets. But will he fit as a back end of the rotation starter? And at what price? That seems difficult to gauge at this point, but it will be interesting to follow in the days and weeks ahead.
Now go help yourself to more coffee and a few Advils.
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Comments (10)
Happy New Year to YOU...YOU are the Best!
It seems to me that neither the money nor the
committment term are the main issue with resigning
Pedro. Rather, its the culture. The Mets want to
creat a 'new' team... one that is separated from the
Drama of the last two years, but they don't want to
dissolve their core. Pedro brings too much drama
(is he back to form? how is he adapting to his
reduced role? what antic is he doing now?) and
attention from the press... at times, it defined the
team. More than anything, the Mets should want
to move away from that. If he were lower profile,
then no problem, but as it is? Think about making
him the 5th starter and pulling him after 10 games
for Niese / Parnell... if it were Chan Ho Park they
were pulling there would be no fuss, but if its
Pedro, there will be this whole salute to the
departing Magnificent Pedro with emotional
fanfare, etc. Their focus this year has to be on
CitiField and winning, not on player/coach drama.
-- go get two of Lowe/Perez/Wolf/Redding/Sheets,
and lets put this thing to bed. That will get you
more run differential than getting one of them and
Dye for left field.
Have a great new year!!! I really enjoy your writing,
and seek it out numerous times a day.
Joe
i think pedro would be a good addition as 5th starter and a affordable price. One thing i would like them to consider is trading schnider and trying to sign jason varitek who could manage the rotation and be great upgrade at the plate. lastly make a run at manny for a legit outfielder and the run producing bat they lacked last year especially from the right side of the plate.
Great points Joe. Couldn't agree more.
Lowe and Sheets would be a dream, but Lowe and Redding will suffice.
Addition by subtraction... Heilman, Schoewenwiez, and yes Pedro!
Happy New Year, David. I agree that Lowe would be the best fit for #4, and it would be great if Ollie, Wolf or Garland fell into their laps as #5 (it could happen, like how Lohse ended up with the Cardinals).
Similarly, they should wait on Manny. Look how the Yanks waited for the market to develop on Teixeira, kept their interest quiet and swooped in a the end to grab him. It could happen with Manny, especially if the Dodgers remain the only team actively pursuing him. My only concern with a 2 year deal on Manny is that they tried this with Alou and it blew up in their faces. Of course, they have better backups now if Manny gets hurt in Evans, Tatis and Murphy.
no pedro at all.Niece vwould be just as effective.terrible
As much as I like Manny, I think the Mets should pass and work with what they have right now. In my opinion, they are looking down the road to next season when they will go after Matt Holliday. Holliday will fill the hole in the lineup left by the departing Carlos Delgado. Fernando Martinez should also be ready by the start of the 2010 season which would leave Ryan Church to be expendable; to be traded for relief pitching for the departing JJ Putz. Daniel Murphy will continue to progress and will be a candidate at replacing Delgado at 1st base. They won't look into trading for Orlando Hudson because after the contract of Luis Castillo is up (or before), they have Wilmer Flores waiting to take his place at 2nd after he converts from being a shortstop. Derek Lowe is coming, and someone they could pick up for a year for a 5th starter while Niese gets more seasoning in AAA. Expect Niese in 2010. Expect Kunz in 2010.
I wonder if Pedro would like to be the hero of the 7th inning, coming out of the bullpen to the wild cheers of Citifield and cut down 4-6 batters to make way for Rod? Too much ego for that? Maybe, but he would be good and could throw as hard as he's able every time out.
I'd pass on Manny because I don't buy the fact that he'll behave in his walk year. Last year was effectively his walk year and that didn't work out so well for the Red Sox. He was unhappy that they wouldn't extend/vest his contract on his terms.
Does anyone really think that if Manny on a 2 year deal, had a strong '09 that he won't be demanding an in-season extension in 2010?
If there's any kind of market for Delgado I'd favor trading him for a relatively inexpensive mid-rotation starter. You would then have increased leverage with Lowe/Perez/Wolf/Garland etc. and you could sign Adam Dunn to replace Delgado's bat. Dunn is a flawed player but Delgado is a regression risk and I'm assuming they're about financially equal. Of all the Mets "big producers" Wright, Reyes, Beltran & Delgado - Delgado is the most likely to disappoint.