Escobar in the Pen Makes Sense
By Mike Silva ~ December 15th, 2009. Filed under: Rumor Mill.
Reports are circulating the Mets have been “super aggressive” in their pursuit of Kelvim Escobar. This would be a great move, not for the rotation, but the bullpen.
I read earlier in the offseason that Escobar is looking to pitch more as a reliever. After two years of injuries I doubt he can handle the workload of 200 plus innings. This would be a great move for the Mets bullpen as Escobar as the potential to be an outstanding setup man, as well as a second closer for Francisco Rodriguez.
As a reliever Escobar averages almost ten strikeouts per nine innings and was a closer for Toronto in 2002.
Tampa is also in hot pursuit of Escobar, but the Mets contingency of Venezuelan’s (Santana, K-Rod) might give them a leg up when everything is said and done.
Mets Making a Run at Non Tenders
Maybe Omar Minaya and company are finally listening to the cries of “value signings”. Marty Noble reported at Mets.com the Mets have interest in non tenders Chien Ming Wang, Matt Capps, Jonny Gomes, Mike MacDougal, and Ryan Garko.
I think signing Wang to an incentive laden contract makes tons of sense. In order for this to work they may have to invest some money this year knowing Wang might not be of much use. There is thought he won’t be available to pitch until July at the earliest. Signing Wang to a two year deal, with tons of options, gives the Mets a window to see if he could return to form. If the shoulder is healthy, surely a big if, then perhaps the “bowling ball sinker” he is known for can return. Without it you have a 4- A pitcher that we could call “replacement level” for those that speak sabermetrics.
As for the other names, I like Capps, Gomes, and Garko for all the reasons that I outlined in my non tender piece on Sunday.
Just Say No to Fernando Rodney
One rumor that I didn’t like hearing was the Mets interest in Tigers closer Fernando Rodney. Knowing that Brandon Lyon, a very mediocre reliever, received a 3 year/$15 million dollar deal from Houston, Rodney will probably command a similar type of contract. He throws hard, but reeks of Armando Benitez. I think the Mets would be better served to sign a Capps short term than commit to someone like Rodney.
