Gammons - 2009 will celebrate the young player

He references a Dave Studemund piece in the THT '09 Annual. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but this is the reason why I have been very much against signing aging veterans (i.e. Randy Johnson.)

about 3 years ago SQUAD 6 comments 0 recs |

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There's nothing inherently wrong with signing veterans.

So long as they’re not blocking the development of your prospects, they’re not paid too much for their performance, and you’re not sacrificing your youth, either by giving up draft picks as compensation, or using prospects as trade bait. I supported signing Johnson because his stats strongly suggested a pitcher who will still be highly effective in 2009 (and possibly beyond), while not costing an exorbitant amount of money, or costing us a compensatory pick.

by BobbyV_Incognito on Jan 4, 2009 1:28 AM EST reply actions

This is where stats and I part ways....

Yea, his stats may indicate that he will be highly effective, but we’re not playing Strat-o-matic here. With a guy like Johnson you’re taking a risk that he gets injured and you get nothing from him. The Mets have been hurt by guys like Alou, Pedro, and El Duque the past few years and I would prefer to see them sign players that have a better chance at playing a full (or close to a full) season.

by SQUAD on Jan 5, 2009 1:00 AM EST up reply actions

agreed

" Well isn't this place a geographical oddity? Two weeks from everywhere! "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Jan 5, 2009 8:53 AM EST up reply actions

the mets were hurt by those guys because there was no contingency plan

omar was counting on full seasons from them.

you can sign johnson, et al. if you’re prepared in the event he goes down. if we had other options, i wouldn’t have been against signing him on a one year deal.

by gogomets on Jan 5, 2009 9:01 PM EST up reply actions

Especially

When he’s making what Randy Wolf will probably end up making in 2009.

'Oh yes, I know all about that duty-of-a-citizen stuff. It doesn't go. There are exceptions to every rule, and this was one of them. When a man risks his liberty to come and root at a ball-game, you've got to hand it to him. He isn't a crook. He's a fan.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Jan 5, 2009 9:24 PM EST up reply actions

I think it's a great time to be a baseball fan...

…especially if you’ve been a fan for the past 5 – 10 years. The reason I mention that time span is because it provides context and appreciation for witnessing some of the greatest players and some of the greatest baseball played in some time. Those getting ready to leave the game, or have left the game or those that have passed their prime (steroids or no steroids):

B. Bonds
R. Clemens
P. Martinez
T. Glavine
G. Maddux
J. Smoltz
R. Johnson

and dozens of others who are relinquishing the reigns to a new crop of talent:

D. Wright
J. Reyes
R. Braun
D. Pedroia
T. Lincecum
J. Chamberlain
E. Longoria
D. Price

This is an incredible transition period to watch a large number of guys leaving or getting ready to leave the game while at the same time ushering in some new blood. I’m really looking forward to the next 5 – 10 years of baseball to see how (and if) these new players can sustains such great levels of play.

I'm a baseball fan. What did you expect?

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Jan 4, 2009 10:58 AM EST reply actions