Please Forgive Me
Please forgive me. Maybe it's the unadulterated boredom of an off-day, perhaps it's hearing that Omar still thinks the Mets are buyers, it could even be something more logical like hearing John Maine could miss the rest of the season, but for whatever reason, I woke up this morning thinking that a trade for Scott Kazmir would be a good idea.
We all know that Kazmir isn't the same pitcher right now -- he really hasn't been for the past two seasons. Whether by injury or faulty mechanics, his velocity has suffered, and in turn, his strikeout rate has fallen off a cliff while his walk rate has increased each of the past three seasons. At least he's incorporated his slider again, but with the noticeable drop in velocity, the pitch has turned into a mere frisbee. Kazmir has become increasingly hittable, with opposing batters making contact 81.6% of the time in 2009, down from a brilliant 73.9% in 2006.
As you can see, there's lots of reasons why this deal shouldn't happen. Kazmir is a huge risk, with serious questions about his durability. He hasn't completed seven innings in a start since last June 21 (a span of 26 regular season starts, 32 if you count the postseason). Imagine the immense pressure of Omar righting a tremendous wrong, only to see Kazmir shrink down the stretch. Then, there's the more practical concern that the last thing the Mets need is another lefty (Kazmir would make three, Jon Niese potentially four) in the rotation, and an erratic one at that. After all, the Mets already have one incredibly frustrating southpaw on the payroll.
So why should the Mets do this? Because. That's why. Because somewhere in that left arm Kazmir possesses ace-type stuff. Because the Mets are one of only a few franchises that can take on this sort of financial risk. Kazmir is being paid a reasonable $6 million this year and $22.5 million through 2011. Chump change, even for the reportedly strapped Wilpons. Now, Kazmir can't hit a home run or be a replacement level shortstop. I freely admit that the deal wouldn't do much to ensure a Mets run this season. But what it would do is give the Mets a potential long-term ace to complement Johan Santana. What more could you ask for at the trade deadline?
You know what I'm saying, Omar?
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Because he can go 7 innings in the NL
my two proposals on twitter:
Hmm who could the Mets trade for Kazmir? Reyes for Kazmir, Davis, Brignac, and Jennings?
then R.J.replied they would want Johan not Reyes
so I sez: ok how about: Johan for Kazmir, Davis, Jennings, and Aybar
and he tells me to get a third team so we can get a position player prospect (presumably in lieu of Aybar)
King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president
It's an interesting proposal
but I wonder if the Rays really would want Johan for that price. Does a 5 WAR pitcher being paid 5 WAR prices fit in their budget? On the Mets side, I think it would be a PR nightmare but if you thought about it like Gomez, Mulver, Humber, Guerra for Kazmir, Davis, Jennings and Aybar (or someone like him) would be insane. Still, I like Johan as a player and as the second best looking man on the Mets (Voltron is number one obviously) and knowing how things work for the Mets, if this trade went through Kazmir would be injured all the time, Davis would prove to be more like Heilman (solid but not great minor league numbers, never given a shot in the rotation after being deemed a setup man,) and Jennings would pull a Lastos and not bring his minor league numbers to the majors (through his fault or mismanagment.)
Thing with Jennings though
is he has 48 walks and 48 strike outs in 363 at bats. Excellent plate discipline for a 23 year old. And he’s a plus defender in center. Him and Reyes at the top of the order, him Beltran and Fernando in the outfield. It’s tempting. Is their GM Omar Minaya? Maybe we can trade Francoeur, Parnell and Feliciano for him?
"We must win and we must know how to win rather than win because we have statistical people."
yes, for that would be the highest compliment.
King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president
Agreed
Milledge is going to look awesome in a Pirates uniform and in 3/4 years will be a free agent at age 27/28 that will be highly sought after.
Because he can go 7 innings in the NL
Excellent point.
Schneider and cash for K*zmir
Straight up. Complete the exorcism.
I.M. Forme
"When you get yourself into trouble is when you feel you have to do something, and then you get yourself in trouble." --Omar Minaya
Yes definately get Kazmir providing the price isn’t too high.
Not for this season but for next season.
A healthy Johan and Kazmir at the top of the lineup would be awesome I don’t care how stupid it makes the Mets look, because well trading Kazmir was stupid and they should be made to apologize in the form of getting him back.

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