|
The Mets signed RHP Tony Armas Jr. to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
He appeared in 31 games last year as a starter and reliever, posting a 4-5 record with a 6.03 ERA.
…armas is probably best known for being one of the top Boston prospects sent to the Expos for Pedro Martinez…now he’s fighting for a roster spot on pedro’s team…
 |
 |
 |
Follow me on
MetsBlog.com is owned and operated by Matthew Cerrone.
MetsBlog.com publishes both rumor and opinion, as well as accurately reported information from other sources. Information on MetsBlog.com may contain errors or inaccuracies - links to content and the quotation of material from other news sources are not the responsibility of
MetsBlog.com.
MetsBlog.com and Matthew Cerrone are not responsible for what is written by non-MetsBlog.com writers within the site's comment's section.
Thats going to be Mulvey in 5 years.
Don’t agree there, maybe Humber, but not Mulvey.
Mulvey’s got 4 solid pitches that he can command. He’ll be a Major Leaguer in some fashion (Albeit probably an unspectacular one) for many years. Humber is more of a boom or bust type.
Honestly, i have no idea… all i know about Humber’s performance is from what i’ve read on this site. I just thought it was an interesting hypothetical thought.
I was about to post that I was surprised that Armas didn’t get a major league deal — but then I looked up his stats….
Why did I have it in my head that Tony Armas, Jr. was decent in the not-too-distant past? His numbers are awful!
i thought the same..
I actually had him on my fantasy team in 2002…probably one of the only years he’d be worth having on a team at all
I disagree. I like this pickup – depends on the price too, of course, but he’s not a bad insurance policy. Don’t forget that whoever we’re picking up now has to come in on a minor league deal – and as far as non-guaranteed contracts go, Armas is pretty close to the top of the list. He’s a decent insurance policy if 7 other guys go down… Interesting that MLBTR hasn’t reported this trade. Tim is pretty consistent in discussing/announcing ALL semi-important pick ups. May be the money is really minimal here…or Armas is considered dead and buried…
This is a fantastic move with the options available, a minor leauge deal is an ideal signing for this guy Armas. Armas is a strike out guy and some time in the minors might prove promising come the trade deadline or via injury. Didnt Omar monitor this guy for the expos. Well Church, Schiedner, Armas. Potential is there to contribute.
NICE…a double posting due to the signing of Tony Armas Jr….Spring Training cant get here soon enough,,,,
FYI, hes also the only player(and his dad) whos name consists of only body parts….
Toe-Knee Arm-Ass….
lol that is probably the funniest thing i’ve ever heard concerning someone’s name lmao
Saltzy is on his game today
BRILLIANT!!
Can’t hurt. I suspect the Mets’ plan is to have him be a starter at AAA, at the ready if/when the injury bug leaves the Mets with a whole in the rotation. Whether he’s willing to play that game (he may not have much choice) is another question.
good point, and this is why i like this deal, no risk, possible reward. good move by omar who probably knows armas from his days in montreal. hey, maybe he gets to camp and works with peterson and figures himself out after all he is only 29. he had a 4.27 ERA in the last 60 innings he pitched last year.
At least they didn’t bring back Jose Lima.
Don’t give ‘em any ideas!!
Bring back Macky Sasser!!
Well, this is the 2008 version of Jose Lima, Brian Lawrence, and Chan Ho Park…that’s exciting…at least Armas has decent stuff and will take up space if a pitcher gets injured
Beat me to that point. He is the newer but more improved version of Park, Lima, and Lawrence. We could do worse than Armas Jr. for AAA insurance in case of injuries. And we do have Pelfrey, Sosa, and Vargas as other and better options to try first before him. He is pretty young at 29 yrs. old and who knows? He can be a surprise contributor. Never doubt Omar when it comes to these lesser publicized pick-ups. Omar never stops thinking and working at giving us a competitive, prepared team. Good signing imo. Could have done worse.
you would be hard pressed to convince anyone that Vargas is a better option than Armas Jr or Figueroa…
AAA rotation looks like Pelfrey, Armas Jr., Figueroa, Bostick, and one of Vargas, Jose Santiago, and… Garry Bakker?
Vargas actually looks like the AAA long man to me if the Mets even bother to retain him.
You do realize that Vargas is still young and lefty right?
yea, but I also realize that he has never had any success higher than A ball so expecting him to do anything other than struggle at AAA just like he has the last two years is a bit of a reach.
I also realize that he is out of options and the Mets are likely planning that someone will snag him on waivers because they see the young and lefty side of things and fail to realize there is little potential there.
Due to little use in college, and being rushed through the Marlins system Vargas is basically a college pitcher trying to pitch in the big leagues. Its not going to work. IMO Vargas will not be getting any better.
You can never have too many minor league pitchers =)
The reality is you need those 6th 7th and 8th starters at some point in the season. Depth at starting pitching in a 162 game season is huge. Armas is a good callup after someone gets injured
agreed. When you need a guy to start the 2nd game of a doubleheader on 1 day’s notice, you call him up. If you DFA him and he doesn’t clear waivers to be sent back, no big loss.
Decent move, The guy has good stuff, just hasnt been able to put it all togeather. Should be at least some depth in AAA.
Rick Peterson can fix him in 5 minutes!
Damn, I was gonna say that. Nice work cpat. BTW, the third man in that trade was the malingering Carl Pavano. Don’t think Peterson can help that thief.
Good signing. He’s probably our new best option for a replacement starter after Pelfrey, and I’m sure we’ll need him at some point.
An efficient and experienced piece of the puzzle. A very small piece, albeit.
But Armas/Brain Lawrence/Chan Ho park types always contribute a good 10-15 starts per season.
I think all Mets fans pray that it’s much less starts then that….lol
Chacon would have been better. I hope Armas likes New Orleans.
maybe thats why he signed.. hes gettin ready for the parties down on New Orleans lol
I would imagine that after Chacon’s solid season last year that he’d be looking for a ML deal.
http://www.metsprospectus.blogspot.com/2008/02/spartans-unite.html
The New York Times has an update on players who have already arrived at Port St. Lucie for spring training. But the BIGGEST NEWS has to be that the Mets FINALLY gave Aaron Heilman a parking spot!! CONGRATS HEILMAN!
So who’s chillen in Port St. Lucie?
Brian Schneider: Schneider, who lives about 40 minutes south in Palm Beach Gardens, showed up, fresh off his brother’s wedding over the weekend in Illinois.
John Maine: Maine has been here since last week. “I had nothing better to do back home,” Maine said.
Joe Smith: Joe Smith stopped in and threw a bullpen session.
Duaner Sanchez: It was encouraging to see a trimmer Duaner Sanchez, whose shoulder problems have prevented him from pitching since July 2006, out on the field.
Oliver Perez: Perez popped his head into the clubhouse today.
Mike Pelfrey: Recently Arrived
Johan Santana and David Wright are expected to arrive tonight.
At least we won’t have to hit against him. Somehow, no matter how much he sucked otherwise, he always seemed to bring the A-game when pitching against the Mets.
Yeah this is fine. Look at the Mets SP depth over the last three years going into the spring.
2006: Pedro, Glavine, Trachsel, Zambrano, Bannister, Maine, Lima, Gonzalez, Soler
2007: Glavine, El Duque, Maine, Perez, Pelfrey, Sosa, Park, Humber, Vargas
2008: Santana, Pedro, Maine, Perez, El Duque, Pelfrey, Sosa, Armas, Vargas
I’d say this organization has done a pretty good job of upgrading its rotation. And even if we lose both Perez and Pedro in 2009, I’ll be pretty content having Santana and Maine as a top two to build around. Especially if Maine can post a solid 2008 (and assuming they both stay healthy, of course). And when you think about it, Santana and Maine will combine to make virtually the same amount of money as Pedro and Glavine combined to make in 2006.
I was always upset that they let Soler go – I liked his stuff. What’s he up to these days anyway?
From what I can tell, pitched 39 Innings on Pittsburgh’s AA team. 14 Games, 5 Starts, ERA of 6, walked almost as much as he struck out. He was then released.
Resurfaced for a bit in one of the Winter Leagues, but as far as I can tell he’s currently still unsigned.
you would have to think omar is going to keep at least one of Pedro and Perez. I honestly think both of them would be down to opening citi field.
Yeah that’s my theory. I figure at least one of them is still around. But still, whoever they build around them, Santana and Maine should be a pretty good core going forward. There’s always the possibility that neither Pedro or Perez is particularly desirable by the end of 2008, although if that happens my guess is there are bigger concerns for this team than 2009.
Here we go boys and girls. Can you smell the baseball in the air? Im watching the dominican champ. game on t.v. and i miss baseball. I thoght offerman was in jail or somthing but that crazy
bastard is playing down there.
RE-SIGN OP AND PEDRO!!!…sorry, had to throw that in there
you beat me to it! Sorry, but if the Mets have offered OP 4 hyrs @ $10mm+, and he’s turned it down, they should leak the news and let the PR shame Boras for being a greedy pig with no clue.
(And, if they haven’t, then they damn well should.)
No, that would just be food for the beast that is Scott Boras. He could definitely spin not taking that money.
“In a world where quality left handed starters are getting $15-20 million a year, I think my client deserves his share. We’re talking about a guy who was only 22 when Santana won his first Cy Young, and was posted a higher K/9 that year over the full season. He lead his team’s starters in ERA in 2007. And best of all, he’s still only 27, and the best is yet to come.”
I think we need to get a backup First base man just in case Delgado goes down. Green was a good first baseman last year. I can’t understand why the Mets don’t sign Shawn Green back for one year.
Green’s made million upon millions in his career…you really think he’s interested in a Minor League deal with a chance to ‘make the team’. We’d have to do better then that.
Agreed. I think he is set to retire if he can’t get an everyday gig. That is something Omar should not be ready to do.
I think the Mets should try and get Nick Johnson. Good bat and glove coming off an injury and good backp to Delgado. Your right Green will probably retire.
I always liked Nick Johnson, but can he stay healthy
Nick would be a good pick up at the deadline if Delgado is done. Otherwise Delgado still gives better production. Look at his second half stats, especially september.
I’m just thinking of the reactions had we not traded for Santana.
I for one would be miserable right now had we not gotten Santana. This single move of getting and signing the best pitcher in the game totally changed the outlook of the 2008 NY Mets. It changes everything. As for the post above about offering Perez 4 years at 10 mil. per and leaking it to the media, it wont work. Boras would never let him sign that contract and wouldnt care how people feel about him. If Perez has another 15 win season or better he will command a huge contract as a 27 yr. old lefty free agent. Think more along the lines of 4 yrs. at 15 to 16 mil. per. Around 60 to 65 mil. for 4 years for Perez is what I think he can get on the open market. You have to remember that especially if CC Sabathia resigns with Cleveland, Perez will be the top free agent pitcher available so we will have to compete with many teams to sign him. I hope we decide to pay enough to keep him. He kind of owes Petterson and the Mets for saving his downward spiralling career so maybe with a different agent he would give us a hometown discount. With Boras I dont expect him to resign before testing free agency unfortunatly. It will be intersting to see if the Mets decide he is worth all the money he will get. Especially since we will have to pay John Maine in a few years. I would rather keep Maine if it was a choice between the two.
Ive seen a bag of potato chips make more sense than you.
Actually what YOU just said makes no sense. What you meant to say was that you’ve “heard a bag of potato chips make more sense,” not seen, but thats just nitpicking. What I really want to know is what part of his comment was so illogical it warranted that response? It was much more thought out then your gem of a contribution there. Please don’t post here anymore if thats the most constructive thing you have to say.
hahaha I just read down further and saw you giving someone else crap for “not being funny” right after writing your comment above. What is truly hilarious is that people like you actually exist. I don’t think anyone who is older than 5 or has an IQ over 80 would of laughed at your comment funnyman. I had a pretty good idea you were an idiot after reading your initial comment but now I’m thinking I gave you too much credit. I henceforth downgrade you to asswipe.
Thanks maddog. Dont get why my idea made no sense to him but now I see its because he is just not too smart. Appreciate the backing me up though. Very cool.
OKAY JUST CALM DOWN!
BSmitty, I was thinking the same thing. If it weren’t for The Jacket, Perez might be pitching in either his native Mexico, or in Korea. Maybe Johan and/or Pedro can explain it to him during the year.
Any other Nats we want? Maybe Nick Johnson as backup 1b?
Robert Fick? He can play 1B/C/LF
Why only pick up the Nats best 1B? Why not go after Prince Fielder or Ryan Howard? We can trade them some minor leaguer and a PTBNL…Oh wait. We have no more trading chips. Never mind. (sarcasm off)
not funny not even close
was simplying illustrating the folly of suggesting the Mets pluck players off other teams without considering what the other team might be thinking.
Sorry it didn’t amuse you.
its okay, every1 needs a carlos mencia around ot make themselves feel better
or dane cook,. either is unfunny. u are funnier I give you that.
KinersKornerman, suggesting picking up Nick Johnson itself was sarcasm, so settle down.
Besides, he’s not their primary 1B. Notice he didn’t play last year and his “fill in” represented them in the All Star Game.
Chase…it didn’t look like sarcasm, but ok. Interestingly, somebody else said the same thing above.
Anyway, Nick J. didn’t play last year due to broken leg. I think you would agree that he is a better choice at 1b than Nats other option.
Even if the Nats think he is expendible, I still gotta ask, who you gonna trade for him?
The Nats other option is Dmitri Young, who just came off of a career year and was re-signed to a 2 year, $10M deal. The Nats aren’t paying him to be a backup.
I wish, but no, we don’t have the chips….well, without losing F-Mart that is. Keep in mind who the Nats GM is….he asks for the moon and doesn’t settle for less. He lost Soriano to FA because he was unwilling to trade him for 75 cents on the dollar.
Manny would be wise to load up his future team…
WHAT !!THIS IS INSANE!! Fire Omar!! Freddie Coupons is at it again!!! Just Kidding…. I needed to get that out of my system… I haven’t been able to rant since we signed Santana… and I haven’t stop smiling either
Gotta be better than Jeremi Gonzalez, Jose Lima, Brian Lawrence, those guys…
Offtopic but I need to vent.
I just picked up a ps3 and was debating getting 2k Sportks MLB 07, to hold me over until 08 comes out. I had not played it before so I downloaded the demo.
The demo starts off with an un-interruptible cut scene featuring a rendition of the 7th inning of game 7 of the 06 NLCS. It features asstard and Joe Morgan’s live calls and picks up just as chad bradford was brought in.
I am in such a foul mood now. Thought I would share.
“Andy Pettitte ducks Congress, won’t talk about Roger Clemens”
“ESPN sources said that Pettitte was not a good witness when he appeared before congressional lawyers during a deposition on Monday. Pettitte often contradicted himself, so the committee agreed to his request not to appear before the committee.”
but he loves the lord. pettitte is gutless.
great pick up
always liked him
guessing he could help us in long relief
nice job Omar
Who needs Livan, Lohse, Garcia or Colon when you can get Tony Armas Jr? (sarcasm) I really don’t care. With Pelf, Sosa, and Vargas I think we’re ok with SP depth.
Great move. Armas has always has plus stuff but has just never been able to put it together. Maybe the Jacket can help should the need arise. It’s basically no more than an insurance policy, should Sosa be locked in as the long man and Pelfrey prove he’s not yet ready, neither of which I expect. But this is one of those low risk high payoff potential deals, and I like ti a lot.
in other news, Trax just signed a minor league deal with the O’s, how the mighty have fallen…ha…ha…if that’s who’s out there signing minor league deals, I’d say we did pretty well for ourselves. Armas is a guy who will at least be able to pitch when needed (unlike a Colon or Garcia who will be most likely injured) and isn’t seeking a guaranteed contract like those 2 and Lohse and Livan (and to add to it, he’s not Trachsel! anything is better than that bum…)
what about that guy who plays on the Tigers? i remember reading that he was upset he didn’t have a spot anymore now that Cabrera took his place.
he has some outfield experience and could be that right-handed platoon we want with church.
I don’t know why everyone is so quick to assume Church NEEDS a platoon partner out there. He has one bad year against lefties and its like he’ll never hit them. In the past 3 years he’s hit .260 against lefties and .280 against righties, a normal discrepancy, add to that we face many less left handers, it’s really not a big deal. We don’t NEED to platoon him, he does need to prove himself, but to start him off in a platoon could kill his confidence. I think you will all be pleasantly surprised by what this guy can do.
I’m not saying that he’s not going to be good. all i’m saying is that he didn’t look so good last year against lefties and it might be somebody to look into.
he hit like .219 against lefties in over 100 at bats. it think he was given enough of a chance. maybe we’ll just send easely out there and i wouldn’t have a problem with that.
.230, not good obviously, but my point is he’s had success in the past against lefties, and that was just one year in a little over a 100 at bats, its worth giving him a try as a full time player I think.
To me, the bigger point of concern is that what happens when Alou gets hurt and all of his replacements are lefties. That means 5-8 in the order is left handed on a lot of days, unless you throw Pagan in there, but he has a career .219 batting average as a righty. The only way to break it up is to let Castro start or stick Easley in the outfield. If its Easley, you then have no righties to bring in as pinch hitters.
The solution, however, just might be in house. I’m not even sure if he’s healthyish, but what ever happened to Ben Johnson? Looking at his 2006, he was very effective against lefties, albeit in a small sample size. He hit .275 / .383 / .471 in 51 ABs against left handed pitchers. Since he’s not guaranteed a spot on the big club, he won’t take up a seat on the bench. You can just call him up if it becomes clear Church needs a platoon partner or Alou gets hurt.
Considering this isn’t a huge hole in the roster anyway, I wouldn’t blame Omar for just hoping Johnson can show a bit more. If Johnson’s awful in the Spring, then maybe you try to pick someone up. But if he shows anything, it could make for an ideal situation.
Now…I wonder if he could play some 1B….
From mets.com transactions:
12/12/07 Did not tender contracts to C Johnny Estrada, RHP Juan Padilla and OF Ben Johnson, making them free agents.
haven’t heard about any re-signing yet.
they resigned padilla and johnson
Brandon Inge??
why does it have to be a righty bat? endy is a career .290 hitter vs lefties.
of course, i’d let church play everyday until it’s proven he can’t handle it.
Is it zen not to use capital letters at the start of sentences??
Be one with the lowercase, ooohhhhm.
righty because there is enough lefty depth and only Easley from the right side if you assume Castro wont be used as a primary righty PHer.
Keep in mind, now that the big problems are solved we only have the little problems to obsess over. last man on the bench, last man in the pen, AAA call ups, etc…
I love this pick up. I swear Omar reads my mind.
I’ve always wanted to see what Armas can do in Shea as a Met.
Even if he turns into a solid swing man/spot starter guy, he’s a STEAL for this price. It wouldn’t be the craziest thing for him to throw 80-100 innings with a 4.25 ERA, which would be golden given what we piad for him.
Santana was exciting, but it’s these little pick ups that make me love Omar.
Saw this idea posted elsewhere a few weeks ago; Inge could make sense – he is a decent fielding 3b, hits well, and could serve as an emergency C. usually a 3b can handle playing 1b as well. he would offer something more than easley-valentine (who are very similar players in terms of their skillsets) and gotay-anderson. are there any other backup 2b available out there ? the Armas signing is absolutely low risk, there are definitely in house options that i would go to before T.A., His career #’s dont scream out that he is a tweak away from being dominant. If he can add a few wins great.
Am normally the first to crap on others for playing the Mets-manure-pile-for-Other-Team’s-All-Star Trade Machine game… but do you think Dombrowski would be willing to take, say, a young lefty ex-Marlin for Inge?
I mean, the guy’s spoken out publicly to a couple of different poutlets about his feeling disrespected… I’d think that, at this point, the time is right for a dump trade, no?
I like Inge, but for the Mets to pay someone 19.1 mil over the next 3 years to play like twice a month (barring injury) seems unlikely. Plus his complaint is a lack of playing time, that’s not going to improve here. Coming to the Mets doesn’t improve Inge’s situation, and that 6.2 mil in ‘08 is better used elsewhere.
After what peterson has done with Maine and Pelfrey, i would love to see what he can do with Armas. Just imagine if he turns out like those 2. We would be in pretty good shape if he can work his magic and straighten him out too.
I meant Perez instead of Pelfrey.
Inge was supposed to report with catchers to Tigers spring training..might be the successor to Pudge next year.
He’s owed about $19M for the next three years. Kinda pricey for a sub, but Freddie Will-pay just opened up the checkbook, so it’s possible.
As annoying as it has been to read the few, the wrong and the loud with their Freddy Coupons crap in here, it was all washed away with one Freddie Willpay! Thanks KK
So, good news or bad news?
At least it’s not Mota. Remember when Willie used to keep him in there for the whole inning? Oh man.
Friends, you choose:
A. Chan Ho Armas
B. Tony Lima
C. Livan Hernandez, Jr.
Atleast he’s better than Johan Santana………….