Perez deal made plenty of sense
The reaction to the Mets' three-year deal with Oliver Perez, at $12 million a season, was interesting since fans and media seemed to be split on whether they thought Perez should return.
On the one hand, Perez is a 27-year-old lefty who is presumably entering his prime, and a guy who you could count on against the toughest teams. On the other hand, he could blow up like a hand grenade at any moment and make the Pirates look like Murderers' Row.
I've never been a huge fan of Perez, but once Derek Lowe signed with the Braves, this was a no-brainer, and the $12 million never seemed like too much. To those who say the Mets were bidding against themselves, the Mets were well within their budget and did not want to risk losing him to the famous Scott Boras "mystery team." Because what was left after Perez --Randy Wolf? -- wasn't going to cut it.
And for those clamoring for a one-year deal for Ben Sheets, well, now we know why no one was knocking down his door. Something was clearly wrong there, and it turns out it was his arm.
Perez, with the addition of Tim Redding as your number five, with Jon Niese and Freddy Garcia in the mix as well, gives the Mets -- who had very good starting pitching last year -- both talent and depth in the rotation. It was a strength in 2008 and will be again.
Combine that with the seriously upgraded bullpen -- another lefty could well be on the way -- in what is expected to be a pitcher's park in Citi Field, and the Mets should be stingy.
And what of the offense? Much has been made that the "same team" is back. What? The same team that was second to the Cubs in runs scored and eighth in the NL? A team with Jose Reyes, David Wright and Carlos Beltran?
Sure, there are question marks. Delgado will likely regress, hopefully not too much. Ryan Church needs to show he can play a full season, healthy. If he can, he's a positive. I have no trouble with a left field platoon of Daniel Murphy and Fernando Tatis, mostly because I loves me some Murphy. The cat can rake.
Luis Castillo is the biggest problem. He needs to come to camp in shape and with a ship on his shoulder and earn his money. Schneider had a bad season, especially calling games, but few teams get any real production behind the plate these days.
Manny isn't coming, despite the fact that, at $135 million, the Mets' payroll could absorb another $25 million this season and still be below the luxury tax threshold.
There are tons of players still available. I would like to see the Mets eat Castillo's contract and sign Orlando Hudson. That would upgrade second base and push Murphy down in the lineup and make it less top-heavy.
Omar says he's done, but with the market the way it is, don't count out some late changes as spring training begins. Pudge Rodriguez, anyone?
On the one hand, Perez is a 27-year-old lefty who is presumably entering his prime, and a guy who you could count on against the toughest teams. On the other hand, he could blow up like a hand grenade at any moment and make the Pirates look like Murderers' Row.
I've never been a huge fan of Perez, but once Derek Lowe signed with the Braves, this was a no-brainer, and the $12 million never seemed like too much. To those who say the Mets were bidding against themselves, the Mets were well within their budget and did not want to risk losing him to the famous Scott Boras "mystery team." Because what was left after Perez --Randy Wolf? -- wasn't going to cut it.
And for those clamoring for a one-year deal for Ben Sheets, well, now we know why no one was knocking down his door. Something was clearly wrong there, and it turns out it was his arm.
Perez, with the addition of Tim Redding as your number five, with Jon Niese and Freddy Garcia in the mix as well, gives the Mets -- who had very good starting pitching last year -- both talent and depth in the rotation. It was a strength in 2008 and will be again.
Combine that with the seriously upgraded bullpen -- another lefty could well be on the way -- in what is expected to be a pitcher's park in Citi Field, and the Mets should be stingy.
And what of the offense? Much has been made that the "same team" is back. What? The same team that was second to the Cubs in runs scored and eighth in the NL? A team with Jose Reyes, David Wright and Carlos Beltran?
Sure, there are question marks. Delgado will likely regress, hopefully not too much. Ryan Church needs to show he can play a full season, healthy. If he can, he's a positive. I have no trouble with a left field platoon of Daniel Murphy and Fernando Tatis, mostly because I loves me some Murphy. The cat can rake.
Luis Castillo is the biggest problem. He needs to come to camp in shape and with a ship on his shoulder and earn his money. Schneider had a bad season, especially calling games, but few teams get any real production behind the plate these days.
Manny isn't coming, despite the fact that, at $135 million, the Mets' payroll could absorb another $25 million this season and still be below the luxury tax threshold.
There are tons of players still available. I would like to see the Mets eat Castillo's contract and sign Orlando Hudson. That would upgrade second base and push Murphy down in the lineup and make it less top-heavy.
Omar says he's done, but with the market the way it is, don't count out some late changes as spring training begins. Pudge Rodriguez, anyone?
posted by Gaspo @ 7:50 AM
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