Comments on: News: Figueroa and Sosa DFA’d, Pagan to DL

By: Tidewater

Tidewater — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:23:55 +0000

Oy! By the time we get both these guys back, IF we get both these guys back, I’m confident the right thing to do will present itself.

Not saying they’ll do the right thing…

By: Necciai27

Necciai27 — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:21:41 +0000

Re: Matt Wise being a long reliever…

Wise came up as and pitched in the Minors exclusively as a starter. It was only after the Angels realized that a starter with no breaking pitch (Wise throws a four-seam fastball, traditional sinker, changeup, and tailing two-seam fastball) couldn’t go more than about 5 innings before the hitters figured him out. Hence his transition to the bullpen. He could handle the role, I’m sure (and was a spot starter as late as 2004).

Re: Figgy…

He was a great story. He was nice while he lasted. But I think Claudio Vargas will be better in the long term. Also, for those saying “oh, look at some of the garbage we got on the 40-man…Ruddy Lugo?” Yes, Ruddy Lugo. He’s been a reliever almost all of his career and is now exclusively starting at New Orleans. And he has an ERA below 2.70, has given up fewer hits than innings pitched, has had precisely one bad outing, and has K’ed 33 in 40 innings (while walking 10). I’d be willing to use him. And Adam Bostick? Same thing. Bostick is putting up very good numbers in New Orleans and finally has command of his fastball AND his curveball, plus he’s throwing his changeup more. He’s not in the “junky project” class like Jason Vargas. This guy really looks like he has some upside. Whilst it’s not like either of these guys will pitch better than Pedro, you can also probably expect them to give you *at least* what Figueroa gave you if not more, considering both are younger with room for more development.

By: Koko

Koko — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:13:15 +0000

Figgy and Sosa didn’t have big contracts at all – at least relative to what other members of the team make.

Now DFAing a guy like Delgado or someone signed to an actual big contract would be something the Wilpons don’t like. But these small contracts matter little in the grand scheme of things.

By: MainStMets

MainStMets — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:09:28 +0000

seems odd to DL pagan now, he got hurt early in the week, sat for a few days then was used once as a pitch hitter over the weekend, so he can not be retroactively(if thats even a word) til from the day he was a pinch hitter

By: metterman

metterman — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:04:45 +0000

why did it have to be done??? I’m confused at this notion.

By: Tidewater

Tidewater — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:00:45 +0000

Why not select Darth Vader or a character from Dungeons and Dragons?

By: Tidewater

Tidewater — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:58:56 +0000

It becomes a major league contract when he makes the team.

By: Tidewater

Tidewater — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:57:49 +0000

Vargas’s career numbers are awful. Lots of pitches per inning, not many innings per outing. I don’t think anybody ought to be excited about Vargas.

I wish we had an innings eater. I advocated getting Livan in the offseason because he throws innings.

That’s what I would have looked for in my #5 starter. Since most #5s are bad any way, look for a workhorse there. Oh well.

By: ASod1975

ASod1975 — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:57:24 +0000

I think if Wise pitches well enough, Smith would get sent down for a bit and Vargas or El Duque (preferably El Brittle) would head to the pen as the long man. If Wise doesn’t do the job, he could be cut loose as well.

By: HOFMets57

HOFMets57 — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:55:13 +0000

This is fantastic news.

Gone are the days of shorting this franchise merely for sake of big-contracts and service time (veterans).

I’m sure the Wilpons aren’t happy about these moves, but everyone in the front office should pat themselves on the back, today. Gulp it and forget it…