It appears not even Matt Holliday received as much attention as minor league free agent Clint Everts. According to reports there was as many as 15 teams looking to sign the former 2002 first round pick (5th overall).

A quick search shows that Everts was ranked by Baseball America as the best prospect in the Montreal system going into the 2004 season. Ironically he went to the same high school as Scott Kazmir, and like Red Sox prospect Casey Kelly, was a two way player as many believed he could have been drafted as a shortstop. BA reports a fastball between 89-92 and projects him as a strikeout pitcher in that November 2003 report. Toby Hyde of  Mets Minor League Blog points out that Everts development was stunted by Tommy John surgery in 2004 which led to his transition to the bullpen in 2007.

The good news is Aaron Fitt of BA said his velocity had returned this season and his secondary pitches, his curveball and outstanding changeup, have returned. Last season he pitched in three levels and struck out 68 in 60 innings for a 1.65 ERA and BAA of .228. He did have some control issues (10 walks in 11 innings) in AAA, but the overall 26 walks in 60 innings are not terrible. I would like to see him more against big league hitters in spring training to determine if the control sample is an outlier.

With the volume of teams interested in Everts you have to think he wanted to sign where he would be given an opportunity to win a job with the big league club. A scout told NYBD contributor Joe Demayo that Everts may be able to help in the front end of a bullpen in the early innings. The modern economics of the game make it essential to develop quality bullpen arms that are inexpensive. Look at the market for relievers as Brandon Lyon, a very average arm, received a 3 year/$15 million dollar deal. The Yankees have been successful in this area with David Robertson, Michael Dunn, Mark Melancon, and the just departed Phil Coke.

For the all the criticism thrown at the Mets this week perhaps there was one gem. The Mets patience is not a virtue with young players. Last year they drafted Darren O’Day in the Rule V from Anaheim and they subsequently dumped him in late April. They could use a righty specialist like O’Day right now. Everts wasn’t a Rule V so there are more options, who knows, maybe he becomes part of the Mets bullpen come April. In any event this is the type of move the Mets need to make so they can sign players, like Bengie Molina and Jason Bay, without sacrificing on important roster pieces. Maybe they are starting to get it, but only time will tell.

Tags: Baseball America, Clint Everts, Darren O'Day, New York Mets, Washington Nationals