Mets Close To Signing Chris Young, Again

by Eric Simon on Jan 17, 2011 4:23 PM EST

We played this record a few weeks ago and it sounded a little scratchy, so this time we downloaded the lossless FLAC file and, while it still doesn't sound great, the popping is gone and we can finally rock out to the whole song. In other words, the Mets are once again closing in on a deal with free agent RHP Chris Young.

Funny wording in the ESPN article:

The deal will not be completed until the Mets are satisfied with Young's physical.

Emphasis is mine.

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Hoping for the best, expecting the worst

There is no hope.... there is no future....there is only GRISSIONZ

The 2011 Mets- Rock bottom: We haven't reached it yet

by Syler on Jan 17, 2011 4:23 PM EST reply actions

is the mindset of a met fan

Eternally

I hate Philadelphia so much.

by the caveman on Jan 17, 2011 10:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Great

Can we trade him for Jeff Francis?

My wife's name is Mrs. Coleman and she likes me, Bub.

by Ownbey4Mex on Jan 17, 2011 4:26 PM EST reply actions

makes me believe we were after Francis

and now that he is gone, going after the next best option

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on Jan 17, 2011 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

Isn't this a repeat?

I am willing to wait to build a world class franchise (h/t to millsy)

by BobbyV_Incognito on Jan 17, 2011 4:28 PM EST reply actions

i think i've seen this movie before

maybe we’ll all meet again in Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money

"they're still shitty"

by Help!I'maRock! on Jan 17, 2011 4:29 PM EST reply actions

Tom Gorzelanny

Thats who we need when you consider our budget. We already have a number 2 starter missing ligiments in his arm and Capuano who’s had TWO TJ SURGERIES. We dont need another one surgically repaired project.

by The real Julio from Paterson on Jan 17, 2011 4:33 PM EST reply actions

considering

the bare state of our farm system and the fact that gorzelanny was just traded to the nats, this was the best left.

What Would Matt Szczur Do?

Fact on Villanova Sports

by Hoyadestroya85 on Jan 17, 2011 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

holy crap

I didnt know about the trade. The Nats are coming up.

by The real Julio from Paterson on Jan 17, 2011 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

Gorzelanny is a replacement level pitcher at best

"It’s like being in love with an alcoholic. It’s like, you constantly defend her, and people are like, ‘Dude, your alcoholic friend is a mess,’ and you’re like, ‘Nah, you don’t know her like I do."- Jim Breuer

by spaceboy761 on Jan 17, 2011 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

I disagree

He’s a solid number 4 starter and at 28 or 29 still has some upside.

by The real Julio from Paterson on Jan 17, 2011 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

Even the Cubs disagree with you.

by FrancoTAU on Jan 17, 2011 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

I suspect he is

no better than Dillon Gee

by deadspy3 on Jan 18, 2011 3:26 AM EST up reply actions

Fangraphs disagrees

In the end, all this wild inconsistency has led to a pitcher whose career ERA (4.68) is not that much different than his FIP (4.54), and both marks suggest he could be a decent back-end starting pitcher, but given how his career has gone so far, I wouldn’t exactly bet the farm on any particular level of production from Gorzelanny. So far, all he’s produced is 558 innings of confusion

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Jan 18, 2011 3:34 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

A pitcher at 28 or 29 has no upside

unless he turns into a knuckleballer or is named Bob Gibson. In all likelihood, he is now entering decline.

"The Mets are gonna be amazin'!" - Casey Stengel
"Bounding and astounding!" - Clyde Frazier

by Russ on Jan 18, 2011 5:26 AM EST up reply actions

Or he's Jamie Moyer

I am willing to wait to build a world class franchise (h/t to millsy)

by BobbyV_Incognito on Jan 18, 2011 12:32 PM EST up reply actions

Good call!

"The Mets are gonna be amazin'!" - Casey Stengel
"Bounding and astounding!" - Clyde Frazier

by Russ on Jan 18, 2011 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

well.....

we do need to replace some pitchers, so……

by fxcarden on Jan 17, 2011 6:18 PM EST up reply actions

Too bad he already got traded yesterday...

by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 17, 2011 6:17 PM EST up reply actions

Dickey missing a ligament in his arm doesn't increase his risk of injury

If anything it lessens it as there is less ti hurt.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Jan 17, 2011 6:28 PM EST up reply actions

it also makes him

The patron saint of knuckleballs

I hate Philadelphia so much.

by the caveman on Jan 17, 2011 10:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

Correction:

It makes him the patron saint of awesome.

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

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 18, 2011 12:37 AM EST up reply actions

He made starts in April AND September

last year. Do the other four months of the season count?

I would’ve loved Francis for the $2 million guaranteed. I’m a little disappointed that we couldn’t offer the contract and guaranteed rotation slot that was given by the Royals, of all teams. I honestly don’t expect this signing to end well.

by MattT516 on Jan 17, 2011 4:39 PM EST reply actions

Chris Young ain't so young anymore

eh, eh…anyone? c’mon. no? I guess not.

I’ll go back to my basement now.

John Franco (shoulda been) HOF 2011

by JoeBighead on Jan 17, 2011 4:41 PM EST reply actions

I would have never known

unless he(it?) lets us know! The same screen name is on MetsBlog and MMO as well, doing the same stuff!

by SFloridaMetsFan on Jan 17, 2011 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

You've been getting around mister!

by SFloridaMetsFan on Jan 17, 2011 4:48 PM EST up reply actions

I think that he might be a she

"The Mets are gonna be amazin'!" - Casey Stengel
"Bounding and astounding!" - Clyde Frazier

by Russ on Jan 18, 2011 5:27 AM EST up reply actions

Mash unit

Johan elbow and shoulder knee
Capuano two TJ surg
Young one TJ
Perez Mental Retardation
Pelf The Yips

by The real Julio from Paterson on Jan 17, 2011 4:48 PM EST reply actions

I wouldn't be that harsh to mentally retarded people

by nerfan on Jan 17, 2011 6:20 PM EST up reply actions

seriously

John Olerud, Hall of Famer. Got a nice ring to it.

by squid92 on Jan 17, 2011 8:00 PM EST up reply actions

personal space

They’ve ‘closed in’ so many times they probably should buy him dinner first..

-Ceetar, the Optimistic Mets Fan

by Ceetar on Jan 17, 2011 4:52 PM EST reply actions

Anyone else think Rubin is exaggerating this "Mets are signing smart guys" thing?

I can’t imagine it’s a major concern for the front office when trying to decide who to sign

by EricAColucci on Jan 17, 2011 5:11 PM EST reply actions

Brain is the next market efficiency.

Now, bring back Socks!

In lobby for: Jaime Cevallos, Zack Lutz, orange unis
The Unwritten Rules of AA

by Michkin on Jan 17, 2011 5:30 PM EST up reply actions

Then why'd we let The Animal go?

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Jan 17, 2011 6:29 PM EST up reply actions

He bit Ike.

John Franco (shoulda been) HOF 2011

by JoeBighead on Jan 17, 2011 6:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

The National Hurricane Center was complaining about the wind coming from Citi Field on deck circle.

In lobby for: Jaime Cevallos, Zack Lutz, orange unis
The Unwritten Rules of AA

by Michkin on Jan 17, 2011 8:54 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs

I think so, Brain, but Pete Rose? I mean, can we trust him?

"they're still shitty"

by Help!I'maRock! on Jan 17, 2011 6:36 PM EST up reply actions

You can bet on it.

I am willing to wait to build a world class franchise (h/t to millsy)

by BobbyV_Incognito on Jan 17, 2011 9:42 PM EST up reply actions

Not interested

Pelf, Niese, Dickey, Capuano, Gee/Misch. Young doesn’t bring anything beyond replacement level depth, is he really the only one still on the market that can do that?

"I reject your reality and substitute my own"
-Adam Savage

by blueandorange4life on Jan 17, 2011 6:11 PM EST reply actions

Is replacement level depth a bad thing?

Worst case scenario, he’s still a more appealing option than Misch. Having Gee in AAA for when someone inevitably gets hurt is a good thing…not adding cheap depth because of a percieved lack of need is an Omar-esque maneuver.

by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 17, 2011 6:19 PM EST up reply actions

I didn't mean that we didn't need depth

I was wondering whether Young is currently the best option we have to add it. His fastball dropped 5 mph on average last year and he only started 4 games after starting only 14 the year before. IF he’s the best option to add depth available then fine, I just wonder if he is or if we were just zeroed in on him for some reason.

"I reject your reality and substitute my own"
-Adam Savage

by blueandorange4life on Jan 18, 2011 12:53 PM EST up reply actions

the reason that a signing takes so long

is that the met FO has to wait until Young stops laughing at their offer.

by jdon on Jan 17, 2011 6:16 PM EST reply actions

ESPN is reporting it's a done deal

pending a physical.

LOL

by fxcarden on Jan 17, 2011 6:17 PM EST reply actions

The Mets medical staff will make sure that he is in worse shape after the physical. So, there is no way to sign a healthy Young.

In lobby for: Jaime Cevallos, Zack Lutz, orange unis
The Unwritten Rules of AA

by Michkin on Jan 17, 2011 8:53 PM EST up reply actions

sob hell be as effective

As a no armed man

I hate Philadelphia so much.

by the caveman on Jan 17, 2011 10:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Tis

but a flesh wound

by deadspy3 on Jan 18, 2011 3:29 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

rec the midnight

monty python McLovin

by Wright of passage on Jan 18, 2011 6:39 AM EST up reply actions

Young has outperformed his FIP every year since his 1st 2 seasons.

And Bill James expects him to do the same this year, with a projected 3.80 ERA and 4.21 FIP.

A solid signing.

by ams258 on Jan 17, 2011 6:28 PM EST reply actions

Agree

I’m also OK with this signing (especially if Young gets, say, $1.5m + $1.5m in incentives + a team option, with a minimal buyout.

Yes, his FB velocity was down, but the CU was also down about the same MPH. I think CY can still fool batters.

by Steve OnceBrooklynNowMets on Jan 17, 2011 6:56 PM EST up reply actions

One question about the roster

When Young is added to the roster, who gets dropped? Isn’t it at 40 now? Maybe Luis Hernandez?

by Steve OnceBrooklynNowMets on Jan 17, 2011 6:51 PM EST reply actions

Probably Hernandez or Ollie.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Jan 17, 2011 6:56 PM EST up reply actions

It may well be a minor league deal

by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 17, 2011 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

I guess the front office sees something in Young, but I certainly don't

If it were a minor league deal, I’d be all over it, but I don’t see giving up the roster spot and money for somebody that seems like a huge gamble. I really liked the Capuano signing. Cap pitched in 24 games (60+ innings), is now two years removed from surgery, and demonstrated last year he’s regained his velocity. He is still a gamble, but at least you can project a return to form with a straight face. Young only pitched in four games last year. Furthermore, he is a fastball pitcher with velocity in steep decline. It’s hard for me to imagine him outperforming either Gee or Misch throughout the course of a 162 game season. With us severely cash strapped, wouldn’t it be more prudent to apply the 1.5 million (or however much Young is getting) towards a durable relief pitcher?

by irishmets on Jan 17, 2011 7:41 PM EST reply actions

Well, not meaning to offend, but

Who are the proffesional talent evaluators in this situation?

John Franco (shoulda been) HOF 2011

by JoeBighead on Jan 17, 2011 7:47 PM EST up reply actions

What relief pitcher who will be good can be had for $1.5M?

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Jan 17, 2011 8:09 PM EST up reply actions

every left-handed AA Mets fan?

I guess the Mets can still sign a guy like Joe Beimel or Bobby Seay….but I wouldn’t call them “good”.

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jan 17, 2011 8:14 PM EST up reply actions

NYT says the deal is completed

http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/17/mets-reach-agreement-with-chris-young/

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Jan 17, 2011 7:53 PM EST reply actions

chris Young vs. Chris Young...gotta love it

meh, he’s triple A roster filler…Gee, I hope Gee wins the spot.

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jan 17, 2011 7:55 PM EST reply actions

Whose your fourth starter?

John Franco (shoulda been) HOF 2011

by JoeBighead on Jan 17, 2011 7:57 PM EST up reply actions

the rotation is:

1. Dickey
2. Niese
3. Pelf
4. Gee
5. Capuano. if I had my way….and Capuano and or Gee gets the bump to Pen when and if Johan comes back.

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jan 17, 2011 8:01 PM EST up reply actions

Really?

I feel like Capuano’s the AAA roster filler and Young is the 4th/5th starter.

John Franco (shoulda been) HOF 2011

by JoeBighead on Jan 17, 2011 8:02 PM EST up reply actions

I like what Caps did when he came back...more confidence in him than CY

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jan 17, 2011 8:05 PM EST up reply actions

Same here

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

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 18, 2011 12:41 AM EST up reply actions

How do you figure that?

Capuano was actually productive last year.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Jan 17, 2011 8:10 PM EST up reply actions

uhm read more carefully. I said I have more confidence in Capuano than CY (chris young)

sorry for the poorly added “he” in that sentence….

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jan 17, 2011 8:15 PM EST up reply actions

check who he responded to...

by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 18, 2011 7:50 AM EST up reply actions

oh oops! lol stupid reply fails...my bad Ogre

thanks for correcting Schmidt

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jan 18, 2011 8:33 AM EST up reply actions

Well, Young has been more effective in the past.

And in a small sample last year (27 innings) he did good.

All that Caps showed was that he has returned to the mediocre level he’s played at all of his career. If young can be better than that, I want him in the rotation.

John Franco (shoulda been) HOF 2011

by JoeBighead on Jan 17, 2011 8:20 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know if I buy that...

Young was at his best in 2005 and 2007 with the Rangers and Padres, respectively. Capuano was also a very good pitcher around the same time, and he was a horse on the Brewers staff in the middle of the last decade. He was worth almost 4 wins in 2006 and had a good year in 2005 in “traditional categories” (aka 18 wins). I wouldn’t say Young was that much better than Capuano when they were both healthy and performing. And by healthy in terms of Young, I mean healthiest in his career.

I trust Capuano more at this point, especially since Young has never even sniffed 200 innings in his career even when he was at his strongest. Young has had a series of setbacks in his career, while Capuano is just coming back to form after his second TJ surgery. I actually think Capuano should be in the rotation, because this team is going to desperately need innings.

by MattT516 on Jan 17, 2011 10:02 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed here.

Capuano was very solid in 2005 and 2006 and was pretty underrated, as he was obscured being in Milwaukee on some mediocre teams. I was also a fan of Young when he was up and coming from 05-07 but since that three year stretch, he just hasn’t been able to stay healthy at all. At this point, I trust Capuano way more than Young even though Capuano missed all of 2008/9. Capuano had TJ surgery, which typically helps pitchers these days (and Capuano seems to have benefitted as he picked up a half a mile per hour on his fastball this season) while Young has had shoulder injuries in 09 and 10. Those can be death sentences for most pitchers because you usually never regain your velocity (just ask Pedro Martinez). Not saying that he’s finished, but when I see arthroscopic surgery to fix tears in the labrum (2009’s injury) and a mysterious “shoulder strain” that caused him to make just 4 starts in ’10, I get a little worried.

And MetFanWithaPlan…I’d take Young’s 4 start SSS with a huge grain of salt. His 0.90 ERA covered up the fact that his avg fastball velocity sat at a career low of 84.7 MPH and the fact that he stranded an incredible 96.9% of baserunners. At least Capuano threw 66 innings and exhibited career norm peripherals.

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!

by Steve Schreiber on Jan 17, 2011 10:29 PM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't put gee in the pen he might end up like mejia

by the maroon bird on Jan 18, 2011 8:39 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Baseball Prospectus had an article years ago

About how his perceived velocity is greater than his actual velocity. His unique delivery and the amount of time the ball was visible between his hand and the plate had something to do with it. Wish I still subscribed. Does anybody remember this?

by TheBigStapler on Jan 17, 2011 7:59 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Was it

this article?

John Franco (shoulda been) HOF 2011

by JoeBighead on Jan 17, 2011 8:06 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, that was it!

Thank you.

by TheBigStapler on Jan 17, 2011 8:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Sounds like a good pickup to me

lets get it done

Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?

by KeithsMoustache on Jan 17, 2011 8:17 PM EST reply actions

any word on the numbers?

"I only wanted a few things out of life -- a wife, children, to play baseball and to hunt deer." - Turk Wendell

by Rey-O on Jan 17, 2011 8:52 PM EST reply actions

Rotation

1 Carrasco
2 Buchholz
3 Misch
4 Parnell
5 Re-sign Dessens

Bullpen
Closer: Pelfrey
Niese, Capuano, Segway, Dickey, Young, Ollie

Second Base
K-Rod

"..."

by Thaddeus Ballpheasant on Jan 17, 2011 9:02 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

he'd only cost slightly more than Slappy at 2nd

and he couldn’t be much worse

Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?

by KeithsMoustache on Jan 17, 2011 9:06 PM EST up reply actions

that's Slappy McDoubleplay to you

hilarious

love that rotation….

can we suck any worse

by Cary K on Jan 17, 2011 11:00 PM EST up reply actions

Hooray!!!!

Except you forgot that Duda is supposed to play 2nd base!

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!

by Steve Schreiber on Jan 17, 2011 10:31 PM EST up reply actions

But but...

Pagan will bat 2nd, can’t he play there?

You cannot stop Jeremy Colliton. You can only hope to recall him. --Dom, LHH

by isles732 on Jan 17, 2011 11:31 PM EST up reply actions

I've got it...

All three (Duda, Frankie and Pagan) will play second base simultaneously with nobody at 3B, SS and 1B. Is that a winner of an idea or what?

World Fuckin’ Champtions here we come!

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!

by Steve Schreiber on Jan 17, 2011 11:45 PM EST up reply actions

Like a compressed Dunn shift?

by Jonathan M-R on Jan 18, 2011 10:07 AM EST up reply actions

Ollie for closer

What's the score, boys?
What did Bugs Bunny do?
What's with the Carrot League baseball today?

by StorkFan on Jan 17, 2011 11:35 PM EST up reply actions

Big Pelf

is a perfect 100% in saves.

"..."

by Thaddeus Ballpheasant on Jan 17, 2011 11:38 PM EST up reply actions

He obviously has a closer's mentality.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Jan 18, 2011 12:12 AM EST up reply actions

not even in Little League ...storkfan :)

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jan 18, 2011 8:34 AM EST up reply actions

Dessens will be the staff ace, with 0.81 ERA and 150BB/50K in 200 IP.

In lobby for: Jaime Cevallos, Zack Lutz, orange unis
The Unwritten Rules of AA

by Michkin on Jan 18, 2011 6:36 AM EST up reply actions

Got no problem with this

With the new front office, I don’t think we signed him for 3/$36 million dollars. If he works out, he works out. If not, not.

As the Askani say, what is, is.

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

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 18, 2011 12:42 AM EST reply actions

The Askani study

Arnold Horshack

My wife's name is Mrs. Coleman and she likes me, Bub.

by Ownbey4Mex on Jan 18, 2011 3:04 AM EST up reply actions

The Askani are so much more than a cult!

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

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 19, 2011 12:00 AM EST up reply actions

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These guys are playing hardball. Ok, we must all mobilize, everybody... you do realize, this means WAR!

(Click here to embiggen)

by sj10689 2 days ago 10 comments | 5 recs

At 5:30 PM EDT today Starting today at 5:00 PM EDT, witness one of the greatest renderings of visual sound effects ever!

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No. 1: Today at 5:00 PM EDT
No. 2: Tomorrow
No. 3: Thursday
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UPDATE 2: Vol. I, No. 1 (July, 2011) is now up!

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