I don't see the expense for Cora as unreasonable, but he's got a mishmash of useful features,...

I don't see the expense for Cora as unreasonable, but he's got a mishmash of useful features, batting lefty, playing a solid middle infield, the little man's suite of offensive weapons, and a satisfactory walk rate. As someone likely to get his share of work in at second during Luis Castillo's rest breaks and as a better temporary replacement for Jose Reyes at short than most of the dreck they had to resort to, he has his uses. I'm definitely surprised that Coste managed to wangle a guaranteed 40-man roster spot—considering the lousy year he had with the Phillies and Astros, what else is there to say but, "Nicely done!" However, he adds some value as the rare catcher who helps out at first base, and some (mixed) experience as a pinch-hitter. That's if they call him up during the course of the campaign to come; it's already being talked about how his real task is to mentor Josh Thole in Buffalo.

Kahrl

9 months ago Sam Page 7 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

how can a career minor leaguer who finally got a cup of coffee at age 35 mentor anybody?

That was a rhetorical question.

by Endys Game on Dec 4, 2009 5:07 PM EST reply actions

Let Thole know what NOT to do, so that he gets promoted faster.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Dec 4, 2009 5:14 PM EST up reply actions

I like the Coste signing.

If all that it costs is $600k and a 40-man roster spot, it’s a small move, but a good one.

How can you argue with:
1) A veteran catcher that will back-up Thole in AAA and mentor him on things like calling a game.
2) Third-string catcher that can be called up to the majors in case of injury, allowing Thole a full year in AAA.
3) Coste has a lot of experience with NL East batters (and some with NL Central batters), so he could step right in at the ML level without a lot of adjustment time.
4) Maybe Coste can give the Mets some good scouting reports on the Phillies pitchers that he caught for the past 3 years.
5) Over the past four years, Coste hasn’t been awful with the bat, so you’re probably not losing much offensively with him. Last 4 seasons WAR were 0.0, 1.6, 0.6 and 1.9.
6) Coste played 230 games with Buffalo from 2000-2002. He was the Bisons Most Valuable Player during the 2002 season (124G, .318, 32 2B, 8HR, 67RBI). So, he’s going to help out with (a) the Bisons fielding a competitive team, and (b) PR with the Buffalo franchise and fans. That’s pretty big considering that the Mets like having a AAA team in Buffalo and (especially after last season) they don’t want to have to find a new affiliate at the end of this year.

by MangoMetsFan on Dec 4, 2009 5:11 PM EST reply actions

6) is an interesting point that I didn't think of

If he chills in Buffalo as an emergency backup and helps with PR and keeps the Buffalo fans and management happy, that’s got some value to it.

by JoshNY on Dec 4, 2009 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed that Coste is a smart, cheap signing.

I posted yesterday that he might be done, but if he bounces back he’s a great guy to have in your organization—besides, Thole isn’t going to catch every game at Buffalo and the Mets were running Robby Cancel out there last year, so Coste isn’t exactly blocking anyone. That’s a nice point, too, about Coste being a former Bison. It can’t hurt.

by SeanSchirmer on Dec 4, 2009 10:17 PM EST up reply actions