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Mets Should Look at Wakefield


By Mike Silva ~ November 16th, 2011. Filed under: New York Mets, Offseason Speculation.

There appeared to be some uncertainty by Tim Wakefield‘s agent, Barry Meister, earlier today about whether the knuckleballer would be returning to Boston for an 18th season. “He loves being a Red Sox, but he loves being a baseball player,” Meister said. “And if, for some reason they don’t think he can play, well, then he’s going to win 15 games somewhere else and show them that, once again, they’ve underestimated him.”

Meister went on to say that his client may better be served pitching in the National League, which apparently has historically helped knuckleball pitchers lower their ERA by about a “run and a quarter.” That would put Wakefield’s 2011 ERA (5.12) at a respectable 3.87.

You have heard names like Jason Marquis, Bartolo Colon, and Jeff Francis as possible starting pitching options for the Mets. Why not add Wakefield to that list?

Wakefield made about $2 million dollars last season, which puts him right in a similar range to the type of investment Chris Capuano turned out to be. He actually started his career in the NL with Pittsburgh in 1992.

Even more fun would be having two knuckleballers on the staff at the same time. This would be reminiscent of when Phil Niekro and his brother Joe were briefly in the Yankees rotation in 1985.

If you look at Wakefield’s peripherals from last year, it’s all pretty close to his historical trends. I don’t know if he will get a 1.25 jump in ERA, but getting out the AL East and the Boston caldron might be just what the doctor ordered.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com
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1 Response to Mets Should Look at Wakefield

  1. Piazza
    November 16th, 2011 at 9:37 pm

    This has to be done. I would be thrilled (and would go to a ton of games) if we could have a staff with two knucklers. I love the pitch because it’s so unlike anything else, and no two knuckleballs are the same.

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