Sunday Applesauce
by Eric Simon on Nov 23, 2008 1:29 PM EST
in Applesauce
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The Mets are reportedly considering Trevor Hoffman for the closer spot next year. I've supported him to some extent this offseason as a cheaper alternative to Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes, and still feel that the Mets could do a whole lot worse. If we assume that the Padres won't offer Hoffman arbitration (they won't), he'll cost maybe $5 million on a one-year deal. I'd say he's not nearly the pitcher Rodriguez, Fuentes, or even Kerry Wood are, but he's also a lot better than some of the crap the Mets used at closer last year. My guess is that this leak is just canard floated by the Mets to keep the other free agent closers in line (via BBTF).
Mets Tailgate takes a quick look at Aaron Heilman's work as a pitcher in college and in the pros. Though, he does make an assertion that Heilman has never changed his arm angle, and we know of at least two times when he did just that.
News, Signings, Etc.
Chad Billingsley "fell on ice" outside his home, fracturing his leg in the process. He is expected to be in a cast for two weeks but should be ready to pitch in time for spring training.
Garret Anderson has switched his player representation from himself to Scott Boras. Anderson has posted sub-100 OPS+ marks in three of the past four seasons. As a corner outfielder. At this point in his career he looks like a fourth outfielder with the bat, and probably considerably worse than that with the glove.
Webstuffs
Baseball-Reference.com provides a list of all of the minor league free agent pitchers, sorted by strikeouts-per-nine. There's likely to be at least a handful of players there who could out-perform Luis Ayala next season.
Is 2008 the year of the buyer? Are baseball owners, like the rest of American consumers, weary of spending too much this holiday season?
Non-baseball
It's football Sunday, so go chat about the Jets at Gang Green Nation and the Giants at Big Blue View.
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While I'm wrong about Heilman's arm angle never changing
the articles you cited say that Heilman used his current arm angle in college and the early part of his Mets career. The Mets changed him to a more over-the-top motion when he was in the minors, foolishly imo. He reverted to his currently delivery in 2005, as far as I can tell.
Not my finest post, admittedly.
by James Kannengieser on Nov 23, 2008 2:20 PM EST reply actions
The Little Dutch Boy and Trevor Hoffman
Please no. Have we not learned our lesson?
Are we gonna plug holes in a leaky dike* or are we going to build a reputable team for the future?
- poor choice of words I admit.
" Don't expect any gifts this Christmas. My money is tied up in the bailout. "
by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Nov 23, 2008 4:41 PM EST reply actions
I could see Hoffman as an option
Not the first or most preferable option, but an option. I’d hope the team doesn’t end up having to commit to any closer for more than four years, and if the availability of a short-term option like Hoffman (or Wood, I suppose) is out there, it can only help that cause.
'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Nov 23, 2008 5:34 PM EST reply actions
More on Heilman's high elbow concern
Check out this link at “Mike’s Mets” blog, which posts a scouting report about Heilman from 2002 (when he had the same delivery he had today). Key sentence:
“Strengths: His three-quarters delivery is easy and fluid, reducing the stress on his arm, a key trait for a pitcher who will be counted upon to eat innings at higher levels.”
Assuming this report is accurate, I don’t understand this “high elbow injury” thing that Jon Heyman has been peddling.
by James Kannengieser on Nov 23, 2008 5:40 PM EST reply actions
Supposedly
One of the reasons he didn’t get many chances to start again after they went back to his old delivery is that Peterson thought it put too much stress on his arm to put him in the rotation. So Heyman might not be completely crazy.
The problem I have with this
is that it’s just speculation. It’s not like Heilman had arm problems with his current delivery while at Notre Dame. He surpassed 100 innings his sophomore and junior years of college, and 150 innings between his senior year and the minors.
Peterson may very well think he won’t be able to handle the stress, but I think it’s unfair to ban the guy from starting because of speculation alone.
by James Kannengieser on Nov 23, 2008 8:38 PM EST up reply actions
I don't disagree
I was just saying that Heyman didn’t pull the injury thing completely out of the air.
Isn’t the Mets’ supposed interest in Hoffman just a way to make K-Rod and Fuentes sweat a little before they get their offers?
If hoffman wants to set up rodriguez for a year, we’ll take that for 10 mill.
by HotChipWillBreakYourLegs on Nov 23, 2008 8:26 PM EST reply actions
10 million for both, maybe?
'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Nov 23, 2008 8:37 PM EST up reply actions
fair enough
I didn’t put all that much though into it, but I was basing it on Gagne’s deal from last year to set up, except Hoffman can actually pitch.
In reality, you have to think the name “Trevor Hoffman” brings in 7 figures. I wouldn’t pay it, but someone will.
by HotChipWillBreakYourLegs on Nov 24, 2008 12:35 AM EST up reply actions
Actually,
Gagne was brought in for the amusement of the rest of us. It was supposed to be a joke, but the whole thing just got out of hand and the Brewers wound up having to pay him anyway.
by BobbyV_Incognito on Nov 24, 2008 12:47 AM EST up reply actions
I'm pretty sure
Gagne received half of his salary in pudding and gravy.
'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Nov 24, 2008 7:41 AM EST up reply actions
It's Milwaukee.
They probably paid him in fried cheese and sausage, not pudding and gravy.
by BobbyV_Incognito on Nov 25, 2008 12:10 AM EST up reply actions
I getcha
But with the closer market being as wide open as it seems to be right now, it’s hard for me to fathom any team paying Hoffman more than $5-6 million for one year. And even that’s a lot of money.
'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Nov 24, 2008 7:43 AM EST up reply actions
Gina,
I guess he was brought in to compete with turnbow for the closers job, which didn’t end well for Turnbow (I had forgotten he existed until now). I see Gagne had a blown save on opening day. Sweet.
Catsmeat,
yea, you’re probably right.
by HotChipWillBreakYourLegs on Nov 24, 2008 8:49 AM EST up reply actions
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