Comments on: Relief Pitcher: Wary of K-Rod, liking Jenks

By: MudvilleNine

MudvilleNine — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:49:08 +0000

I dont believe they’ll rush Holt. Where its true if he totally dominates at St. Lucie he can be moved up to AA, I dont think he’d end up being that dominant there that the Mets would call him up under any circumstances. College pitchers dont put in the kind of innings that a professional does and this upcoming year will be his first as one. He’s a starting pitcher. Dont you think for his first year they’re going to limit the amount of innings he will throw? They did already at Brooklyn. They were hoping to limit Pelfrey’s innings and he’s been pitching as a pro for how long? So no, dont expect to see Holt up anytime soon.

By: Meddler

Meddler — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:28:53 +0000

Just to enhance my point about Maine, in 2006-2007 Maine made 47 starts. In 30 he completed at least six innings. He failed to complete six in 17 starts, and completed at least seven in 14 starts. Maybe those aren’t quite “innings-eater” numbers, but its not a five inning pitcher either.

By contrast, in 2008 Maine made 25 starts and in only 13 did he complete 6 innings. That’s 12 times he failed to do so, and he complete seven innings just once. Once!!! That’s a five inning pitcher. He dropped off from 6+ in nearly 2/3 of his starts to just over half of his starts.

By: qqqqqqqq

qqqqqqqq — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:47:49 +0000

K/BB gives a better indications of a pitcher’s true skills than does ERA. The idea is that a pitcher’s ERA is not as controllable as is his K/BB. After the ball makes contact with the bat, the pitcher has no control over the ball, and the ball could find a hole. In other words, the pitcher’s BABIP is subject to luck. And if runners were in scoring position, a pitcher’s ERA may inflate undeservedly. This is especially the case with relievers since they don’t get many innings in.

Pitchers have more control over Ks and BBs.

By: rustyjr

rustyjr — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:32:13 +0000

i just hate waiting i just want the ice to finally break and know who will be on our roster for 09

By: rustyjr

rustyjr — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:28:22 +0000

excellent point

By: oleosmirf

oleosmirf — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:22:11 +0000

why give up prospects or our best power hitter when one of top 5 closers in the MLB is a FA and wants to play for us???

By: rustyjr

rustyjr — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:16:50 +0000

i think we are ovevaluing delgado

By: stickguy

stickguy — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:44:54 +0000

good point above about Sanchez. Perfect time for another trade like this (Delgado could be involved!) for a young, strong armed guy to groom.

I personally have no problem stocking the ST pen with a bunch of power arms, and letting them sort out who gets to close. Last man standing earns the job!

By: stickguy

stickguy — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:42:53 +0000

put me in the camp of a couple of top prospects being worth ore than the $$ difference between a FA closer and trading for one. Jenks is good (certianly better than Ayala!) but the Mets IMO will be better off with someone else and retaining Fmart, etc.

I go for beef up the middle core (the real problem area anyway). Cruz, Affeldt, etc. (mix match, take your pick). For closer, if Omar insists on a big name brand, Fuentes or K rod, whichever looks like the best deal.

Is Woods a type A? Might be even a better idea if the deal is shroter/cheaper.

But, in any case, the only way to really build a pen and still have the prospect and financial flexibility to fill the other holes is to DEVELOP YOUR OWN CLOSER! Look at the good teams recently like the angels, Red Sox, White sox. All with young, home grown closers. Do the mets have this guy? WHo knows! parnell? Somwone else? worth a look.

2nd best idea is snagging a strong middle guy someplace and converting him (like a Cruz).

Or just spend the big $$s.

Putz for a decent cost would be sine too.

By: Meddler

Meddler — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:37:11 +0000

That’s not necessarily true about Holt, perhaps likely, and its probably what SHOULD happen, but if he dominates A+ I could see him in AA by the all-star break, and perhaps the pen a few months later. A first round, flamethrowing, former college pitcher making his debut a bit before his 23rd birthday? Its certainly within the realm of possibility.

As for Maine, that’s really true, he averaged just under 6.0 IP/GS before 2008. He does have a history of losing his focus in the middle innings, but he has shown the ability to bounce back and finish strong. It seems to be more about focus with Maine than stuff when he’s right. His fastball stays pretty lively, its all about whether or not he can get swings and misses or if he’s just getting foul ball after foul ball. In 2008, he couldn’t command his fastball well, and it led to a lot of bad walks and foul balls. It was lively enough that it was tough to square up, but he has to locate it better if he wants to get swinging or called Ks with it.