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In his blog for ESPN.com, Buster Olney writes that the 
Mets are among the teams that have asked about free-agent RHP Jason Jennings.
According to Olney, “He makes a ton of sense for New York.”
In 19 starts for the Astros last season, the 29–year-old Jennings was 2–9 with a 6.45 ERA.
However, he missed the final six weeks of the season after an MRI revealed he had been pitching with a tear in the flexor tendon in his elbow.
In 2006, he posted a 3.78 ERA in 30 starts for the Rockies before being traded to Houston last off-season.
During his six seasons with the Rockies, Jennings was 27–34 with a 4.36 ERA on the road, i.e., not in Coors Field, spanning 83 starts.
…last off-season, before he was traded to the Astros, the Mets, Cardinals, Reds, Cubs, Twins and Rangers were all rumored to have had interest in Jennings…
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I’m going to pray to my lucky stars that the name Jennings doesn’t end up in orange and blue lettering.
we can get sammy sosa for 7m. *sarcasim*
Certinly high risk, don’t know how big the reward is! Really depends on whether hei injury was repaired, and he can be considered 100% healthy, and ready for a full workload (180-200 innings)
Now, if this was a Park type arrangement where he might have to start at AAA, then go for it.
Somebody file this in the drawer between the folders marked “Hernandez, Livan”, and “Silva, Carlos”.
The list is going to go on of names mentioned that I never want to see in a Mets uniform:
1. Alex Rodriguez
2. John Santana
3. Carlos Silva
4. Livan Hernandez
5. Jason Jennings
What’s the matter with John Santana? Haha just Kidding… but serious who wouldn’t want Johan Santana on their team??
I like him as a pitcher but i think that he will cost us $$ and valuable prospects. I also think that he is very mouthy and rude and doesnt have any class
where do you get that from? how is he mouthy and rude? because he told ownership to get on the ball and take the team to the next level? HOW DARE HE!
Well yeah, actually, pretty much.
Johan should know that as a great player who is constantly being quoted by the media should shut his damn mouth. Didn’t his grandmother teach him a couple of lessons?
By insulting the front office he insults his teammates by saying “You guys aren’t good enough to win. I am, you’re not.”
he’s absolutely right in doing what he did. the twins have been stuck in neutral for years now. they get into the playoffs and it’s considered a success. they lose their homegrown talent because their owner, carl pohlad, who is cheaper than wilpon refuses and pay his talent.
god forbid a player who cares who’s been the standard at his position sees great talent around him and wants ownership to fill in the gaps. that’s not being a loudmouth, that’s telling it like it is.
I have a few relatives that live and Minnesota and follow the twins closely. They say Santana has always been a stand up guy and kept his mouth shut. Apparently though Castillo and Santana are close and he wasn’t happy at all about him being traded. They were still in it at the time and a lot of people were surprised and upset by it. That’s when Santana made those comments which wasn’t more than stating what everyone else was thinking. Either way just one more reason he would want to join the mets if Castillo is still around (which he will be, my guess on a two year deal with an option) I wouldn’t trade the farm system for him but I think there is a better then even chance he hits free agency and if he does I believe the mets will sign him.
As Abraham Lincoln once said:
“Why have a mind, if you don’t have the right to change it?”
OK. I was wrong about Johan.
However, even if I like him, I know that he AND A-Rod aren’t going to be Mets in 2008. Alex Rodriguez probably won’t put New York on the top of his list to begin with, and the Mets probably won’t waste too much money on him with Reyes and Wright in his positions. However, the Dodgers are in need of a starting third baseman. They have money and a desperate need for a big bat in the middle of the order. They will spend the money and give the years.
In order for Johan to be a Met, the Mets would have to trade Mike Pelfrey, Lastings Milledge and another young player such as Heilman or Humber. Should the Mets post this bid, they still might get topped. With A-rod the Dodger for the long term, they won’t need top prospect Andy LaRoche. With 4 rotation spots filled, the Dodger may push for Johan with LaRoche, starter Clayton Kershaw and another arm like Scott Elbert or Jon Meloan. The Twins would take the Dodgers offer in a second.
Of course, with no starting pitching in the agency and Johan and A-Rod probably Dodgers, I would like the Mets to get Kosuke Fukudome. Supposedly he’s a good all around hitter, with a nice glove. Signing him would make Milledge available. Hopefully the Mets can get Blanton for Milledge. I suspect Billy Beane to be smart enough to ask for Heilman as well. So trade Milledge and Heilman, ditch Sele, Mota and Show, sign Linebrink and Romero. For second base, do the only sensible option and sign Luis Castillo. For catcher, sign Lo Duca and Castro to be his backup. With Posada likely to be a Yankee, there really is no other option.
You think that the Mets wouldn’t spend the money on both A-Rod and Johan, but you think that the Dodgers would? What sense does that make? Has it occurred to you that A-Rod and Torre didn’t really get along in NY? He may lobby against signing him in LA.
The Mets would spend money on Johan.. that’s not an issue
Spending the bank on A-rod would be dumb, and Minaya knows it. He already has good hitting and top flight SS and 3B.
The Dodgers were 82-80 last year. They want a change, and desperately need a big bat and a third baseman. They’re hungry and they have money. They’re going to have A-rod.
The issue with Santana is that the Mets can’t send over a good enough package for him.
yeah, who in their right mind would want guys like arod and santana? *eyes rolling* wow
Can I be the first person on this blog to ask about the status and asking price of Kenny Rogers?
As long as you promise to be the last!
What about Kenny Rogers?
Oops. Shoot!
thank god you have no say in the mets decisions because we would have a 100 loss season forever!!! yeah that would be awful to get Arod and Santana instead of Jennings and Castillo! lmao
Huh. Now I’m looking back asking when I ever said that Jennings was appropriate for the Mets?
I would also like to add, Mr. Wrightstuff, that I am very glad that you are not in the front office, for if you had signed A-rod for that vast amount of money, we would end up being a team similar to the post-2000 Yankees. I don’t think that this is a road fans are willing to take.
you mean making the playoffs every year? considering the mets can count their total playoff appearances on barely two hands, i’ll take it.
I’m not worried about making the playoffs, I’m worried about winning while we’re there.
“I would also like to add, Mr. Wrightstuff, that I am very glad that you are not in the front office, for if you had signed A-rod for that vast amount of money, we would end up being a team similar to the post-2000 Yankees.” lol, yeah i’m sure i would be run out of town for signing the best player in baseball and to see him become the best #4 hitter in the history of the New York Mets franchise!! Are you Fred or Jeff in disguise?? Stop thinking cheap all of the time and realize Wright and Reyes need other great players to take the focus off them. this will cost money but we can afford it as much as anyone in baseball, including the Yankees! The front office had a chance the last 2 years to go all the way but they sat on their hands when they needed to acquire a bat or pitcher to take them over the hump! I will say this again ,but i hope i’m wrong ,that as long as the Wilpons’ own this team, we wont win a World Series period!!!
Apparently it’s Tigers or retirement for him.
And honestly, I think we’ve seen that one play out once already. No thanks.
So you don’t want Santana because of his “attitude,” but you are asking what the price is for Kenny Rogers?
Talking back to ownership and having intesity on the field are two very different aspects of baseball.
How about flying off the handle at reporters? Would you say the same about Albert Pujols if he were available because he was talking smack about Glavine during the NLCS?
I’ve seen nothing to suggest that Santana isn’t a class act. He’s not a prima donna like A-Rod. He’s a high quality player who wants to win. The Twins weren’t doing that. So what if he said something about it? Not everyone with the balls to speak up can be as personable and pleasant as David Wright. I can only imagine how you’d have felt if Carlos Zambrano hit the open market. He’s got 10x the mouth Johan does. I wouldn’t mind having either of em at all though.
why in the world would u want rogers? do u not remember him choking in the playoffs against the braves? i do.
oh i heard that he wants to remain with the tigers and only the tigers, but i can be wrong, hopefully not.
Exactly the type of fifth starter I dont Omar to waste money on. Save the money that would be wasted on Jennings/Silva types and pay AROD.
“dont WANT Omar” sorry.
Enough is enough. Forget these garbage players. I dont understand anyone arguing to spend combined millions on a bunch of bums rather than giving AROD what it takes to get him. Dont want to hear that we dont need a 3rd baseman because we need a 2nd baseman and Wright can play there. Our infield would be insane as well as our line-up. It would be better than any NL team and maybe any AL team as well. If the great pitching isnt available then why settle for mediocre pitching ? Get the best position player available then.
I’d sign up for Jennings. The guy had been a workhorse during his years in Colorado, and would be a perfect solution for taking El Duque’s spot in the rotation assuming the Mets move him to the bullpen. Let’s not forget the fact that Jennings was on his way to make Gil Meche money this off-season until getting hurt, and is 29 years of age. I just don’t see how it can be a negative to get someone that fits the bill for us like Jennings would. I don’t know if anyone remembers this, but I recall Ronnie being pretty high on him too. He referenced him once during a Mets-Rockies game at the time, that if he were to build a pitching rotation .. Jennings would be one guy filling up a slot.
Get Jennings and trade for a front-line starter.
Ughh anybody but Mr. “Park Adjusted”.
PASS
Its another experiment though. Even if it was Colorado, he really had only one good year, and other than that only reached 200 IP once in the other five seasons he was a full time player. I’d rather have someone who we know can take a little pressure off the guys who are still finding themselves and the guys who are too old to go more than 6-7 innings a game max (and the bullpen too for that matter).
The problem is there is literally no one on the FA SP list that fits this criteria. Its a bunch of experiments, over-the-hill veterans, and surgically repaired arms. I might take a look at Freddy Garcia before Jennings. He has better career numbers and can probably be had on a 1-2 year deal. If he does bounce back from the surgery well, he has a much better track record of durability, and has also pitched in hitters parks his whole career. But even he’s probably more likely to be a bust than not. I think if we’re finding SP help its on the trade market.
I just wrote about this situation at my blog, I think people should take a look at the numbers Jennings put up during 2006 besides the ERA it was a showing that he wasn’t a good pitcher..
check it out
http://www.metsprospectus.blogspot.com
If many of you insist on pitching rather than AROD then please set your sights higher than Jennings. Lets go after Santana in a trade. We are the NY Mets not Tampa Bay. We have the 3rd highest market. No more second best. Lets get the Cy Young caliber ace in Santana or at the very least Lincecum or Haren.
Tim Lincecum is not getting traded. Sabean never even mention his name, it was just some really bad reporting and everyone here jumped on it.
Anyway, i know this off topic, but what are your guy’s thoughts on the following:
Overpay Fransisco cordero to set up till wagner leaves.
Trade heilman and gomez for snell paulino
With the return of sanchez, the last 3 innings are set and heilman becomes very expendable, and i don’t see gomez fitting into the lineup anytime soon. You get a 2/3 starter in snell and a decent young catcher for spare parts.
Thoughts?
i don’t see what value heilman has. he’s a mediocre setup man. gomez is not valued highly, either.
trade reyes, humber/pelfrey and milledge and you might get something in return, like a santana.
Heilman is actually one of the better setup men in the game. He’s not great, but he’s valuable.
If Muniz and Sanchez are lights out, I think Wagner might be able to land you the most in a trade.
why would we trade our closer? that opens up a new hole thats harder to fill.
How short everyone’s Memory is… Reyes had terrible last part of the year.., and now people are saying trade him? The 2st half of the year people on here were calling him the MVP of the NL.
Final Santana Thought…… I do not want to mortage our Farm System to get Santana… and the other arguement is… sign him when he is a free agent… Any Team, that trades and gets Santana, this off season or before the tradeline, will be giving a signing extension agreement…. and would probably get him at a discount, like Carlos Zambrano….
Tough Call
I don’t know who was calling Reyes an MVP candidate in any half of last season.
But, look, I like Reyes to a point, but, and please, please, please listen to this: the Mets are never going to be any better than they were last year if they don’t improve their pitching and improve it in a BIG way. Reyes can’t pitch from SS (even though his arm is pretty damn big).
I like Cordero, but why so high on Paulino? And why do you seem to think that Heilman and Gomez could even land Snell alone?
Would you trade Oliver Perez for Salomon Torres and Chris Duffy?
well no. But perez is better than snell, and heilman is much much better than torres. And while chris duffy and gomez might be equal now, what pittsburg needs is guys who have star potential which gomez has. The pirates have enough fringe players so i think they would be willing to take a chance on him.
Let’s not sign A-Rod and instead give several million dollars to a sub-500 pitcher! We need PITCHING!
THAT’S THE WAY TO GO!!! PITCHINGPITCHINGPITCHING!!!
What pitchers can be had? Quality pitchers? If none can be had then why not AROD? Why waste money on bad pitching? All for pitching winning championships but if no good pitchers available then what?
Courtesy of Cot’s, here’s a list of starting pitchers that are free agents (* means there is an option):
Tony Armas Jr. PIT
Kris Benson * BAL
Paul Byrd * CLE
Shawn Chacon PIT
Roger Clemens NYY
Matt Clement BOS
Bartolo Colon LAA
Scott Elarton CLE
Josh Fogg COL
Casey Fossum * TB
Freddy Garcia PHI
Tom Glavine NYM
Livan Hernandez ARZ
Jason Jennings HOU
Brian Lawrence * NYM
Jon Lieber PHI
Kyle Lohse PHI
Rodrigo Lopez COL
Greg Maddux * SD
Wade Miller CHC
Eric Milton CIN
Russ Ortiz SF
Andy Pettitte * NYY
Odalis Perez * KC
Mark Redman COL
Kenny Rogers DET
Curt Schilling BOS
Carlos Silva MIN
Julian Tavarez * BOS
John Thomson KC
Brett Tomko * SD
Steve Trachsel * CHC
Tim Wakefield * BOS
Jeff Weaver SEA
David Wells LAD
Kip Wells STL
Randy Wolf * LAD
Jamey Wright TEX
Jaret Wright BAL
Victor Zambrano BAL
Only two I would want from that list and only for one year deals….Schilling (possible), Pettite(Never going to happen..he said Yanks or home). Not the best of options on that list.
Matt Clement and Schilling look pretty good to me. Think about it….Schilling would probably take a 2 year deal. You could get away with a one or two year deal for Clement with a club option (coming off an injury). I think that solidifies the rotation pretty well.
I’d at least investigate Clement. He was a horse in ‘06.
Schilling has said he only wants a one-year deal. Relative to what else is on the market, and considering the duration of the contract, this is a no-brainer, even if he misses half his starts…as long as those starts aren’t in September/October. That’s minimal commitment for a guy who’s 10-2 with a 2.24 ERA in the postseason, including 3-0 against some pretty good teams this year…
I’d sooner take a one-year flier on Schilling than 4 years on Jennings, esp. considering the glut of good starters that will be available next offseason. This certainly wouldn’t be the only move I made with this staff – I’d still push for a frontline starter via trade and some 6-7th inning help- but it’s a start.
The starting pitchers in the free agency absolutely suck.. I’m will to take a chance with El Duque and Pelfrey in the back of the rotation.
There are three good hitters in the free agency:
Andruw Jones, Torii Hunter and A-Rod.
Neither outfielders are budging from centerfield, guaranteed, and A-Rod is going to be a Dodger, no doubt.
The relief pitchers in the agency are pretty good. I’d like to see Cordero and Romero sign with the Mets, trade Milledge and Heilman for Blanton and then get Kosuke Fukudome to occupy right field.
**Also sign Paul Lo Duca and Luis Castillo.
Bring Back Victor Zambrano!!!!! – Steve Phillips
geez you two guys want the same “choker” team that we had last year!! i guess you are content with mediocrity.
Pitchers will be available in ‘09. So don’t waste the money on ARod now when even with ARod, we won’t be better than the Sox,
Which is my point exactly, thank you.
Yes, a guy with an injury in his pitching arm that ended his season early makes, as Olney puts it, a ton of sense! Because we don’t already have enough risk in the rotation and bullpen.
Do you know what else makes a ton of sense? Not listening to Olney anymore.
True that.
Horrible horrible horrible…..PLEASE NO…..No moves is better than BAD moves…..This is an accident waiting to happen…..
I don’t see the problem with bringing in a Jennings as a possible 5th starter. In 06 his ERA was under 4 in Colorado. Get him in Shea and it will be even lower. I’d take this guy over Silva anyday and he’d be cheaper. Also, if he’s a 6th guy in waiting for whoever gets hurt or if Pelfrey doesn’t pan out again, it’s a good option to have. I doubt coming off surgery he’d be full strength after spring training. He’s a much better option waiting in the wings than Dave Williams or Jason Vargas or Chan HO Park.
You mean to tell me Victor Zambrano is available and the Mets aren’t talking to his agent? I really feel that under Peterson’s leadership he’s just what the doctor ordered for the ‘08 Metropolitans.
LMAO.
Ridiculous. I’d rather nothing happen than this.
Yet another mediocre project. I’ll bet Peterson likes Jennings.
IMO, this guy is totally unimpressive. Stat heads can “park adjust” his numbers all they want, but two things cannot be “adjusted”….his elbow problem, and the fact that he is a lousy pitcher.
Shame on Ken Davidoff in Newsday, Shame on klapish.
SHAME ON THE READERS OF THIS BLOG THAT THINK THE METS ARE FOR REAL ON A-ROD OR SANTANA
THE WILPONS are a scam. They always make it look like they are trying to sign the top guy. They try to make you get your hopes up then they don’t. (they had to get beltran) as if they did not they would see there team going down the drain….
Wilpons did not want Piazza. Doulbeday was the one who said lets go get him, If Doubleday was the owner it would be a whole different story.
I here that after one of the worst collapses in MLB history JEFFEREY AND FRED are raising prices for the best seats 20-30%., So they can once again raise the prices on them again next year for the new stadium to the MOON (ALICE TO THE MOON)
WAKE UP METS FANS WITH JEFF RUNNING THE TEAM WE ARE IN BIGGGGGG TROUBLE.
sad but true!! Wilpon spends like he is the Pirates or Twins most of the time!! this team will never get a WS with this ownership i will bet!
What the hell are you talking about? The Mets had the 3rd largest payroll last year. They have 3 players in the top 20 or so in total payroll across the whole league. What more do you want the guy to do? I’d rather they stick to smart moves rather then shower everything with cash.
yeah they had the 3rd largest payroll in mlb but most of that goes to 3 or 4 guys (except Beltran) that are pretty much done! this team cant keep going to the bargain bin every offseason and think they are going to strike gold! Dont settle for scrubs and cheap out on money! Target good players and sign them! it isnt rocket science here
They aren’t settling for scrubs when they don’t want to give a trash pitcher like Barry Zito a 7 year $126 million contract.
They aren’t settling for scrubs with keeping David Wright at third base, and not wasting money on A-Rod.
They aren’t settling for scrubs by keeping one of the most productive hitters on this team in Moises Alou.
They aren’t settling for scrubs when they haven’t signed an all star second baseman because nothing is available for the position.
They aren’t settling for scrubs by not trading for Ramon Hernandez, who is indeed a scrub.
They aren’t settling for scrubs when they don’t re sign their 41 year old starter
They aren’t settling for scrubs by putting some of the best prospects on the field in Pelfrey and Humber.
Should read Pelfrey and Milledge.
i’m not saying i would move Wright from third base but i would sign Arod for 1st or 2nd base if he would agree to it!! By the way, if the Wilpons had their way, Glavine would be back…..so there is one scrub we would have. Second, Alou is a nice fourth outfielder who could get 350-400 at bats! he is not a reliable everyday left fielder that the mets should have especially if you are starting Milledge in right field everyday! i like Loduca but he produces average offense and below average defense…we can do better by signing a defensive catcher with some pop like Castro! Third, i would trade Pelfrey before we cant get anything for him! he will never learn to throw a secondary pitch for strikes consistently.
Just because a person was a decent bench player doesn’t mean he’ll be a great starter.
A great example is Marlon Anderson, another is Lenny Harris.
And why, Mr. Wrightstuff, do you feel the Mets even have a shot at A-Rod or SAntana?
Loduca’s numbers were horrible and Castro’s season was almost as good playing half the time!! he is much better defensively and can throw runners out!! The mets have a shot at Arod because they have $$$$$$$$ and all we lose is our first round pick!! You dont have to trade prospects or players for him! We probably dont have good enough prospects to get Santana unless we deal Reyes too. But you cant do that until you have signed Arod to play shortstop!! I would trade Delgado and put Arod at first and leave everyone else alone in the infield if you want to keep Reyes though!! I dont want Castillo…he doesnt provide any pop and he is injury prone!! They have said for a couple of years that Castillo has an arthritic hip that hampers his range and hitting. There is no pitching to sign unless some prospects are traded for a Blanton or Westbrook.
I say we take a collection on the Blog, and buy the team… with all these baseball genius’ on the blog *sarcasim*, we will be unbeatable… Besides, i already bought a brick on the Citiwalk, I might as well go all the way, and buy the entire team
did we not sign the best pitcher and best position player on the market 3 years ago? … (beltran, pedro) .. ok just checking .. thank you and have a nice day
and now to add some negativity to my post .. carlos silva will win 16 games for a NL team this coming season (not the mets) .. u herd it first here :)
[...] Interested in Jason Jennings According to MetsBlog , ESPN’s Buster Olney believes the New York Mets may try to sign free-agent starting pitcher Jason [...]
It’s “Jennings-Time!”
I don’t see the problem with bringing Jennings if he signs a deal like he is a project. If he signs a deal like he is a legitimate starter, then I’ll pass.
I don’t see what the problem is if the guy decides he would play here for a 1yr/4-5 mil type deal. If the guy pans out, great we add another choice for our 4th/5th starter and some injury security, maybe even a long relief role like Sosa filled last year. If he sucks it up or gets injured, oh well. But if he’s asking for Gil Meche type money, 10-14 per, I’d pass and so will Omar.
I agree if this guy wants a 1 yr deal for 6 mil with a vesting option (based on starts or innings) why not give it to him. The worst that happens is he sucks for a few starts and winds up on the DL – the Wilpons have 6 mil they can part with and a deal like that would, in my opinion, have quite a lot of upside.
If we don’t offer him 4/45, we may lose him.
Go Omar! Get ‘er done!
Humber
Mulvey
Jennings
Devaney
Bostick
Dang! We’ll win some games!
list of things we dont need this off season
1. injury prone position players
2. injury prone pitchers
I don tknow how prone to injury jennings is but missing the end of the season with an injured pitching elbow is not good so im gonna say he falls into #2 on the list and shouldnt be considered unless its for a cheap incentive filled contract.
Schilling.
Cubs don’t want Trachsel back, or Floyd.
Bring ‘em back, what the hell.
unlike the past many years the Mets actually have some solid options at the back of the rotation. Pelfrey, Duque, Sosa, and Humber can be the best options for the 5th starter spot. There is no need to bring in a 4th or 5th starter this offseason. Omar the target has to be a #3 or better type starter, and Jennings is not that.
of course, If the plan is to trade Pelfrey for a #1 type then bringing in a back of the rotation starter makes a little more sense. But they need to make that move first.
I like Kip Wells from that list. I know he had a really bad year last year, but so did the whole Cardinal team. He’s good a good, hard fastball and a nice overhand curveball. With the poor numbers he put up we could probably get him pretty cheap and let him compete for a spot in the rotation during spring training. I think this guy’s got a tremendous upside with little risk.
I’d sign Jennings. The most the kid is going to receive is probably around 6 million with incentives and maybe even an option included. I really don’t see the negative in that at all. Assuming he returns to being 100 percent, Jennings has the upside of an above average number 3 starter, and on his extremely good days in the crossroads of cracking a possible number 2. He has a filthy sinker that can reach the low to mid 90s and of course, as you would expect, uses it as a weapon to induce ground balls. He also brings a slider and a change-up into the mix. I think adding this type of sinker-ball pitcher to the likes of Maine and Ollie would be a nice change of pace in the rotation, and make better use of our double play combination of Reyes and Castillo like someone had posted the other day. Jennings is still only 29 years old and was a workhorse during his time with Colorado. I just don’t think this is that huge of a gamble when you consider the benefits, and at the very least won’t have to give up prospects in a trade to acquire someone of his caliber either.
Sign Jennings and make a trade for a true front-line starter, and I think we have the makings of a pretty good staff. The Jennings signing would even open up the move for El Duque to the bullpen. It makes sense.
I agree completely, see above. If Jennings is healthy, he is exactly the kind of pitcher the mets need. He is only 29 has been a workhorse and can slide right in to the 4th spot in the rotation:
Pedro
Maine
Ollie
Jennings
Pelfrey
If he is still hurt – only costs the Mets 6 mil.
Castro, Milledge and Pelfrey to the Pirates for: Ronny Paulino, X-man Nady and Paul Maholms. (Maybe lightning strikes twice with an ex-Buc lefty.) Maholms is a big kid, 24, fluid delivery.
castro is a free agent. we can’t trade him
Milledge and Pelfrey better net either Snell or Gorzelanny plus Paulino.
Listen guys, the more I am think about it ..
Signing Jennings and maybe even Curt Schilling this off-season might not be such a bad idea when envisioning the long term effects of what this organization might be capable of. These one year signings will keep us at a competitive level for this upcoming season while bridging the gap to the younger prospects, who will be ready to perform in 2009. This also keeps open the most realistic chance we have to bring in Johan Santana, as a free agent. Unless we are trading for an absolute, no doubt ace, then I am quite hesitant in mortgaging our entire future when all indications seem to point that these types of pitchers are simply not available.
Could you imagine a 2009 rotation of Johan Santana, Oliver Perez, John Maine, Mike Pelfrey, Phil Humber/Kevin Mulvey? And just think of our outfield consisting of Carlos Gomez, Carlos Beltran, and Lastings Milledge .. along with David Wright, Jose Reyes, Ronnie Paulino, Luis Castillo (maybe Gotay eventually down the line), and a free agent first baseman to hold the fort till Fernando Martinez is ripe to play as well. We must get younger not only within the pitching staff, but as a franchise, and we have all the necessary components to do so.
Then again though, the upside of guys like Dan Haren, Rich Harden, Matt Cain and even Kevin Slowey for that matter intrigue me via trade. Omar really has so many different ways to approach this. I am just interested in seeing which one he chooses to follow.
My guess is that he’ll try to lure Craig Biggio out of retirement.
Maybe if Biggio retires in the Dominican.
Which Jason Jennings do you get? the 2005, 2007 edition would be a waste of a rotation spot. The 2006 edition? I’ll sign that for 4 years.
Pedro should give us 28 starts and 170 innings
Ollie and Maine should be good for 31 starts and 195 innings each
What do you expect out of Pelfrey? How many starts? How many innings. What is enough?
Pelfrey needs one more year in AAA before he’s ready to become a strong #4 or #3. The bullpen is also an option. I REALLY don’t want to count on him as the #5 for 08.
I disagree. His last three starts were good enough that I would hand him the ball in 2008 and let ‘er rip.
Yeah, he really needs a strong showing in AAA this year to prove his worth. That’s why when you can sign a guy of Jennings potential on a one year incentives based contract, you make the deal. In terms of Pelfrey and the majority of the other younger starting pitchers in our system, we are looking more towards 2009 rather than this upcoming season. Also to answer Peaches question, I believe Jennings would be the 2006 version. Like I said in another post, Jennings has a filthy sinker that can reach the low to mid 90s and of course, as you would expect, uses it as a weapon to induce ground balls. He also brings a slider and a change-up into the mix. I think adding this type of sinker-ball pitcher to the likes of Maine and Ollie would be a nice change of pace in the rotation, and make better use of our defensively sound, double play combination of Reyes and Castillo.
The guys been up and down his whole career. I would rather have a guy with a better track record
You know the same thing was said about Chris Carpenter …
The Mets do not need to add middle level starting pitching. That is what they are a team full of. The two major needs this offseason is to add an ace and bolster the bullpen. Scoring runs was not the issue last September. They couldn’t need get hitters out. The rotation next season should be made up of an ace followed by Pedro,El Duque,Oliver Perez and John Maine. What about a deal with the Orioles for Erik Bedard and Brian Roberts as an upgrade at 2B?
No way Andy McPhail is trading both of those guys in a deal.
I just don’t think the Mets have the prospects to get an ace unless 3 or 4 of them wind up on the market at once. If Santana, Sabathia, Bedard and Haren all ended up on the trading block the Mets probably could get one. Otherwise, the Dogders, Angels and Yankees all have more to give and would be in on any one of those guys, if available.
The Mets need to either sign middling guys (Jennings/Silva) and roll with them plus Pedro, Maine, Ollie and Pelfrey or trade for the Joe Blanton, Cliff Lee class (Gomez/Humber).
that sounds good!
They couldn’t get hitters out because the rotation fell apart. They need guys who can get into the 7th inning. They need to not have to rely on the Brian Lawrences of the world.
While they need a #1 starter (Johan-esque) they also need a back end, innings eater (Blanton, Jennings, Silva, Garland). the key here is how healthy is Jennings? I wouldn’t bother signing him if he’s not going to be ready to throw 225 innings. I prefer Blanton, but if you want to make a splash trading for a big time starter you are going to need to save your trade chips. So signing Jennings/Silva might be the way to go.
Again, FORGET WASTING MONEY ON GARBAGE PITCHERS AND SIGN AROD!
[...] Interested in Jason Jennings According to MetsBlog, ESPN’s Buster Olney believes the New York Mets may try to sign free-agent starting pitcher Jason [...]