Matthew Cerrone

News: Mets sign Francisco Rodriguez
By Matthew Cerrone - Dec 9, 2008 3:24 pm

Update, 4:37 PM:

To watch SI.com’s Jon Heyman speak with SNY’s Matt Yalloff about the deal between the Mets and Rodriguez, click here.

Update, 4:06 PM:

The Mets have announced that Minaya will speak to reporters in a more formal setting at 6 pm EDT.

Update, 4:04 PM:

Minaya told reporters that the deal with Francisco Rodriguez is not done, ‘until it is signed, sealed and delivered.’

That said, I have been told by people connected to the team that the deal is done – all that remains is a physical.

Update, 3:48 PM:

In an impromptu discussion from the hotel lobby, Minaya told reporters the deal is not ‘completely done,’ and that discussions are still ‘on-going,’ according to a text message to MetsBlog from Joe Hamrahi of Baseball Digest Daily.

naturally he is going to say this…

GMs do not give an inch until every i is dotted, every t is crossed, and the physical is complete

That said, according to Hamrahi, Minaya’s body language indicates the deal is done.

Update, 3:46 PM:

“The deal includes a $14 million vesting option for a fourth year that would raise the total value of the contract to $51 million,” reports Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports.com.

According to Rosenthal, the option kicks in if Rodriguez pitches a certain number of innings in either the third year of the deal or in a combination of years two and three.

Update, 3:45 PM:

Minaya is in the lobby of the Bellagio, smiling and speaking with various reporters, including ESPN’s Peter Gammons.

Original, 3:24 PM:

According to Ted Berg at SNY, “The Mets have agreed to terms with reliever Francisco Rodriguez on a three-year contract worth $37 million, pending a physical.”

…from what i understand, there may also be a fourth-year option, which will vest following a certain number of appearances…

As I wrote earlier today, the Mets and Rodriguez agreed in principle yesterday evening.  However, they would meet again this afternoon to finalize the contract, after which Rodriguez will need to conduct a physical.

the buzz in New York suggests the team will make an official announcement either later tonight or tomorrow morning, and hopes to hold a quick press conference in Las Vegas tomorrow…however, rodriguez may need to travel to New York for a physical, so i am not sure how all of this will work…

by the way, the term being used in baseball, for the way Omar Minaya handled negotiations, is The Reverse Boras…

178 Responses to “News: Mets sign Francisco Rodriguez”

  1. the_other_matt says:

    Who?

  2. kowalski69 says:

    JUMP FOR JOY!

    now get another

  3. LetsGoMets123 says:

    YEEEEHAWWWW!!!!

  4. kowalski69 says:

    oh, almost forgot…

    SPLASH!

  5. nymets212 says:

    never heard of him

  6. metsin080910 says:

    If this is true. I think all of the Omar haters will shut up once again.

    K-Rod for 37 million is a a great deal.

  7. mr.gee21 says:

    Wait, what? He didn’t want to play for the Yankees instead to set up Mariano? That is blasphemy! Ridiculous!

  8. Excellent deal. Great closer, great price.

  9. SPINK3 says:

    What about the 4th yr vesting option for $14 that rosenthal was writing about? Is that true?

  10. Metfreak says:

    Nice start Please lets not stop there Omar

  11. stillbelieve says:

    i agree. this is a great deal and now lets get something else rollin with this bullpen

  12. joe the wanderer says:

    SI.com first reported the terms — a three-year deal worth $37 million. FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal confirmed the terms Tuesday and also reported that the deal includes a $14 million vesting option for a fourth year that would raise the total value of the contract to $51 million.

    That vesting option is within reach as long as Rodriguez pitches his normal number of innings as a closer, either in the third year of the deal or in a combination of years two and three. “Basically, he’s just got to be healthy,” one source told Rosenthal.

  13. guierllNO MOta says:

    That’s it, at 3 years, amazing, next person to bash Omar should be killed immediately…Omar GOT Johan and K-Rod and did it with less players and less $$ than any of us couldve imagines…he is great, Omar haters are morons.

  14. Kellman says:

    Awesome.

  15. joe the wanderer says:

    basically if k-rod stays healthy, he can get $51 million over 4 years.

  16. DWrightUnclutch says:

    If this is true. I think all of the Omar haters will shut up once again

    Why?

    There’s a LOT left to do.

    Move Schneider
    Move Castillo
    Move Heilman
    Move Schoenweiss
    Fix the pen
    2 starters
    Corner outfielder

    If you’re getting all over Omar’s jock because he signed a closer to a decent contract in a year with an economic crisis and a glut of closers on the market, you’re clueless.

    THIS TEAM NEEDS MAJOR WORK

    No praise for Omar until we see what he does or does not do

  17. MRenz31 says:

    Now we need a set up man and a 7th inning reliever!

  18. gipper82475 says:

    Well done.

    Keep it going, Omar! Pen help (Street, et al), a right handed LF, a legit 2/3 starter, and anybody not named Castillo at 2B.

  19. Let’s keep in mind its still early in the meetings… more can and probably will happen. This is just step one. Let’s hope the next moves are as good as this one promises to be.

  20. wrightnow5 says:

    Terrible signing. I mean the internal battle of who gets #57 will tear this team apart!!!

    Sorry, practicing my Mike Francesca rationale on why the Yankees are great and the Mets are a mess.

  21. LETS GO METS!!!!!

  22. I love it!!!!!! =D

    Like Santana, K-Rod looks perfect in a Mets jersey and hat.

  23. kingman 26 says:

    Mota, best post I have seen all day!

    Omar traded NOTHING for Johan and paid half what we thought he would have to lay out for KRod!!

  24. Nightlife says:

    I have never been enamored with K-Rod, but I really dig this deal. We get a solid young closer with a few questions entering his prime but without having to commit long term.

    Nice work, Omar.

  25. NYMETSFAN718 says:

    DWright. THANK YOU!!!!

  26. DWrightUnclutch says:

    he is great, Omar haters are morons.

    Except for that whole minor matter of fixing the pen and building a winner.

    Not so great when it comes to THAT, is he?

  27. Gina says:

    I actually agree with D-wright is unclutch. Not to take anything away from Omar but there’s still a lot to do. Especially if the Braves manage to trick KC into giving them Grienke for nothing.

  28. CaseStreet says:

    El Kid! Si!

    Street is next.

  29. NYCESQ says:

    The vesting option is brilliant. It really favors both sides. The economy will probably have recovered fully by that point. Essentially, this gives K-Rod the years and amount he was likely seeking, while giving the Mets security from repeating the Wagner situation.

  30. MeetTheMets says:

    If this isn’t text msg worthy news, I don’t know what is… When are you going to start text msging (so I don’t have to refresh the site ev every 20 seconds)

  31. MetsfanfromnybutinSC says:

    LETS GO BABY

  32. tjones28 says:

    How does this make Omar a genius? The economy is low, the Mets are the only big-market team in the hunt for K-Rod.

    It was conceivable that they were going to get him cheap.

    Had the Yankees or Red Sox been in the hunt for K-Rod as well, they would have had equal competition and would have went higher.

    I don’t see how I should have to praise Omar for getting me K-Rod at a cheap price.

    This guy has done just as much to screw up this organization as he has done to help it.

    Somehow Mets fans are able to forgive the same guy that put together a bullpen that has collapsed down the stretch two consecutive years with the signing of K-Rod.

    Unbelievable…..

  33. vic79 says:

    celebrate good times…………..great start………..would not of expected anything less

    now lets work on the pen , starter………good day good day

  34. mark4212 says:

    Move Schneider
    Move Castillo
    Move Heilman
    Move Schoenweiss
    Fix the pen
    2 starters
    Corner outfielder

    Add in Move Del-Sucks-A-Lot and Feliciano.

    Then the mets are finished with the offseason.

  35. hjhjhjhjhj says:

    easy….this was a good move and he read the market correctly…but lets see what else he is able to do….not going to forget castillo, alou, lack of BP help last year, shoenweis…etc…but hey new year…new optimism !!!!

  36. BullpenHelp says:

    This ISN’T a 3 year deal. This is a 4-year deal in excess of $51 million. If K-Rod performs like an average closer, his vesting option kicks in and he’ll achieve a number of performance bonuses.

    If he doesn’t… that means he got hurt and the Mets get screwed.

    It’s a 4-year, $52M+ deal.

  37. metsin080910 says:

    “Why?

    There’s a LOT left to do.

    Move Schneider
    Move Castillo
    Move Heilman
    Move Schoenweiss
    Fix the pen
    2 starters
    Corner outfielder

    If you’re getting all over Omar’s jock because he signed a closer to a decent contract in a year with an economic crisis and a glut of closers on the market, you’re clueless.

    THIS TEAM NEEDS MAJOR WORK

    No praise for Omar until we see what he does or does not do”

    Be real bro. I understand there are more moves that need to be made like a set-up man and a starter. But i don’t think the Mets plan on doing much with the offense. Murphy/Tatis will platoon in left. And unless we can trade Castillo, he will be the second basemen next season. Also, getting 2 starters is probably a long shot, I can see signing someone like Garland or Wolf.

    Give credit when credit is due and it certainly is now.

  38. Kellman says:

    I wrote out a post bashing the “Omar is great again!” logic, but it isn’t worth it. Did everyone love Omar yesterday when it was reported that he turned down Street for Feliciano and Heilman? No? Congratulations on signing the best closer available. Sick for the team, but let’s not go overboard on the Omar is a genius garbage.

  39. metsfanmurph says:

    It’s strange because this was almost too easy. Usually when the Mets sign someone it takes alot of twists and turns but this was wham bam thank you maam.

  40. wa2k99 says:

    Great signing, now we need two other relievers, one starter, and Orlando Husdon. There are other things we could do, but those are the musts, in my book.

    Good day. Now please don’t let Peavy go to the Cubs.

  41. metsfan575715 says:

    a fourth year vesting option would be fantastic.

    WAY TO GO OMAR!!!!!!!

  42. vic79 says:

    haha, one step at a time dude………this is the biggest signing so far this offseason…………..its early but its a good start so be happy with that

    NOW is Fuentes a option?……………..not many closer jobs available………….If were him I would take it if the Mets still have a good offer on the table

    what a great lefty righty combo that would be ………I would say the pen is fixed after that………then they can use Heilman, Scho, Sanchez to get a starter or even OF/2B

    Wood to the Indians

  43. SSGHatesYou says:

    Finally Omar does something perfectly. Buy him a corona on me!

  44. mark4212 says:

    tjones28:

    Because the Mets could have gone out and done what most Met fans wanted and been the yankees and said 4 years 60 million, on day one. And not seen what the price is that it will take to get him.

    Instead the yanks are letting other teams know what it will take, get CC at the price he is willing to sign for.

    The mets low-balled and let him say i’ll take this. DONE!!!!

    It was smart and played perfectly.

  45. metsin080910 says:

    DWrightUnclutch

    Let the offseason unfold. It’s only the Winter Meetings. You’re making it seem like you expect everything to happen one after another. We got K-rod, now let’s focus on middle relief.

  46. rockets212 says:

    good for Omar and the mets.

    NOW WE GOT TO GO GET SOME STARTING PITCHING!!!!!!

  47. nrmax88 says:

    “guierllNO MOta says:
    December 9th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
    That’s it, at 3 years, amazing, next person to bash Omar should be killed immediately…Omar GOT Johan and K-Rod and did it with less players and less $$ than any of us couldve imagines…he is great, Omar haters are morons.”

    This is why you are among the best posters here. Omar has made some mistakes sure, but last 2 years he has gotten his number one guy on HIS terms, giving up what he was willing to give up for Santana, and getting K-Rod for half of his original demands. Don’t get into a staring contest with Omar. He will not blink first. Great job Omar. I was not in favor of K-Rod, but on a deal like this I could not possibly complain. Just stay healthy for us Frankie.

  48. METSCITI says:

    alright boys- I’m officially back in the swing- LETS GO METS
    2009!!!

  49. zen says:

    we knew omar would get the big fish. as always.

    now to the tough part: the middle relief, two good starters who work into the 7th regularly, and a little grit or pop in the line-up

    k-rod, ny mets

  50. Slippery Pete says:

    “This ISN’T a 3 year deal. This is a 4-year deal in excess of $51 million. If K-Rod performs like an average closer, his vesting option kicks in and he’ll achieve a number of performance bonuses.

    If he doesn’t… that means he got hurt and the Mets get screwed.

    It’s a 4-year, $52M+ deal.”

    It’s 3 years guaranteed. Presumably, the only reason we wouldn’t want K-rod locked up for a 4th year is if he’s injured. This way, we’ve got him for 3 years at a pretty decent price, and if he remains healthy we get him for another year … pretty good job there by Omar.

  51. metsrule09 says:

    YAY

  52. The_Wright_Stuff86 says:

    Great signing!!! I agree with DWright….the team still does needs alot of work…..

    IMO…

    Move Castillo
    Move Heilman
    Move Schoenweiss
    Fix pen’s 7-8 inning setup men
    1 starter
    Corner outfielder

  53. NYCESQ says:

    Bullpen, I know this is just semantics, but it is actually a three year deal with a vesting option for a fourth. Only 3 of the 4 years are guaranteed. A vesting option only occurs on the happening of events stated within the contract.

    Yes, the economy is bad, and some posts indicate that they aren’t “impressed.” However, the best part of this deal has to be the amount of time it took to complete. It is less than we paid Wagner, and we were able to sign him before any other big-named player. Thus, giving the Mets an opportunity to get involved in other deals.

  54. One Day This Team Will Kill Me says:

    is there any way to go back in your own comment history?

    Im not one to brag but I pretty much called this exact contract a month ago. I said 3 years/40 million with a 14-15 million dollar option, not too bad huh?

    Even before that I always maintained hed come back to earth and wed get him on the cheap. Again, im not one to brag.

    LETS GO METS!!!!!!!!!!!

  55. casey s. says:

    Johan to K-Rod, the Venezuelan Connection!

  56. JB Reyes says:

    Anyone who doesn’t give props to Omar for this is either incredibly stubborn or GREEDY. Just because this move was a no-brainer doesn’t mean it wasn’t a good one. He got the best closer available for a reasonable price, thats good work. He got the best starter available last year in a lop-sided trade, that’s genius work.

    And for those saying this team needs a lot more work… they lost the division by 2 or 3 games!!! All while blowing about 25 saves. If they had K-Rod last year they probably would have won the division by 5-10 games.

  57. clutch43 says:

    great.. now lets move on to getting 2 starting pitchers, a LF-er and some bullpen help and shipping Castillo to the unemployment line so we can sign Hudson.. if Omar sits back and relaxes right now, we’re loosing valuable time in getting what we really need

  58. Chan Ho Parking Lot says:

    I can’t wait to see KRod dancing on the mound after closing out a save at Citizen’s Bank Park and hearing Jimmy Rollins whine and complain about it like a little girl to the media afterwards.

  59. NYCESQ says:

    Ultimately, it is difficult to make offers to multiple players without knowledge of what each player will require in terms of salary. I know it is frustrating to see other team names involved in rumors, but they are just using different methods of negotiation.

  60. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Wow great job, Omar. K-Rod seemed to want to get this done quick. Maybe he wanted to be Met all along anyway.

  61. Kellman says:

    I absolutely love celebrations. I love when Papelbon goes nuts, I loved when Joba pumped his fist when he K’d Frank Thomas, and I loved KRod going nuts after saves for the Angels.

    I’m going to love those celebrations.

  62. joe the wanderer says:

    i think the only way to get Street is to have him packaged along with another player like Taveras or Baker for Heilman, Feliciano and maybe cash or another prospect.

  63. BullpenHelp says:

    NYCESQ:

    I understand it’s a vesting option. The point is that it’s an option that is EASILY vested as long as K-Rod isn’t injured. If he injures himself during the deal, it was a bad deal. If he stays healthy, it’s a 4 year, $52M+ (depending on how much the performance bonuses are).

    We can’t look at it as a 3 year, $37M deal because it will never be that. It will either be wasted money due to injury or a 4-year, $52M+ deal.

  64. djbutler says:

    If the terms are true this is a steal. K-Rod for 3/$37. Last year Francisco Cordero got 4/$46 and he is not fit to share a cab with K-Rod.

  65. ikickdogs says:

    $13m/year for 60 innings is not a good deal. They could’ve gotten so much more for that money.

    But on the other hand, the Mets buy into the closer myth harder than any other team, so I expected much worse.

    Good job, I guess.

  66. vic79 says:

    This s a VERY good start…………and I think they will listen to everyone and will make more moves………and I mean alot more moves

  67. BullpenHelp says:

    Chan Ho Parking Lot:

    Um… let’s hold off on scheduling the parade, okay? I seem to remember similar brash predictions when we got Johan last year.

  68. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Lol and Francessa is talking about the new Lano show that is going to be on NBC next year.

  69. HOFMets57 says:

    BullpenHelp:

    Yes, it’s a 4 year deal totalling $51M. But if K-Rod is healthy, who’s to say he won’t be worth it? He’s moving from the AL to the NL and none of our opponents have seen more than a couple of ABs (interleague) against him.

    If he gets injured, we’re not on the hook for the 4th year vesting option. It’s a great deal no matter the totality of it…

  70. DWrightUnclutch says:

    I absolutely love celebrations. I love when Papelbon goes nuts, I loved when Joba pumped his fist when he K’d Frank Thomas, and I loved KRod going nuts after saves for the Angels.

    I’m going to love those celebrations

    Don’t complain when the Phils and Fish use it as inspiration to beat the Mets out again in that case

  71. nrmax88 says:

    Some of you still don’t get it. Replace Schneider? Uh… why? Dump Castillo and sign Orlando Hudson? Gross. Lets sign another 2B on the wrong side of 30 coming off two back to back season ending injuries. Ugh. Why move Heilman? Because his value is low? Smart. Buy high sell low right? Keep Show, keep Heilman. Just add one or two more reliable relievers. Don’t have to be big names. None of the pickups in 06 besides Wagner were big time moves and look how that pen turned out. Show is fine if he is facing lefties like he should be. Let Heilman bounce back, which he will. We got are guy, just be happy. You cannot blame Omar for the pen collapsing… it was just a perfect storm of awfulness, and a lot of those guys were a part of out great bullpen through 06 and all of 07 minus september.

  72. Kellman says:

    DWrightUnClutch,

    I don’t buy into that stuff at all. I think it’s weak if they have to play harder because of celebrations. I hope the Mets do their handshakes, give curtain calls, and celebrate after saves. It’s a lot more fun for everybody.

  73. JB Reyes says:

    Great point NYCESQ on the timing, first big name taken off the board. Great work Omar.

    Last year the Mets lost Alou, Maine, Pedro, Wagner etc. and still came within a game of the playoffs. Now they stabilize their biggest problem with an anchor for the bullpen. How can you say this is not good work???

  74. Mingo says:

    Yeehaw

  75. mdemaio says:

    The NL East is rapidly becoming the toughest division in baseball…by the time this offseason is over, it may well be true…

  76. teledingo says:

    Well, this definitley wont make the Mets a more popular team in league. If they had beef with Reyes already, this will just double the bile.

    But I believe the 1986 guys were pretty unliked as well.

    Perhaps that’s the formula NL baseball in NYC demands.

  77. Metfreak says:

    I am listening to Fatcessa and he is still crying about CC but yet no mention about K-Rod

  78. PeterDragon says:

    good deal, 1st big signing-and Francessa is talking Rosie O’Donnel and Jay Leno.

    I bet Craig Carton takes credit- since K-rods agent was on morning and Craig was pushing him.

    3+vesting is very fair; the only problem with 4 really is insurance, if the guy breaks down

  79. Kellman says:

    BullpenHelp,

    Uhhh… he is talking about closing out a game in Philly. A game. Not the division, not a playoff series, a game. If that is a brash prediction for the 2009 Mets then I guess the season isn’t worth watching. I’ll bet money that they win a game in Philly.

  80. tjones28 says:

    mark4212:

    It would have been pointless from day one to go out and throw top dollar at K-Rod. You knew for a fact going into free agency that you were the only big fish in this pond that could afford. The Mets had all of the leverage in the world when it came to signing K-Rod.

    People are overlooking this. Yeah, I’m happy we got the guy, but by no means do I give Omar a huge amount of credit for signing this guy at the price he got him for. Like I said, it was conceivable that it was going to happen eventually.

    …and even if another one of the small-market team’s were in the hunt for him, K-Rod’s agent wouldn’t let him sign before calling up Omar.

    This is basic negotiation. It should not be treated like he talked K-Rod down to a three-year deal at $37 million.

  81. The_Wright_Stuff86 says:

    Anyone who says this team doesn’t need alot of work was blind to last year…Right they lost the division last year while blowing 25 saves but what’s the point of having Krod if the mets are blowing games in the 7-8th innings still and cant get to Krod…

    Castillo needs to go

    Another starter needs to be signed or traded for….

    Sanatana
    Big Pelf
    Maine
    4th?
    5th? maybe Parnell or another youngster

    Outfield
    Beltran
    Church
    Murphy looked good but is he going to give the mets true corner outfield production?

    Division title shouldn’t be the goal. World Series should be

  82. Willie Randolph says:

    We all knew that K-Rod was goin to be our closer,all the talk was a bluff ! So watch out because there have been a lot of other rumors !

  83. Chan Ho Parking Lot says:

    Thanks Kellman, that’s exactly what I was talking about.

  84. bkfitz says:

    First time we’ve had a real closer since Orosco/McDowell.

  85. Slippery Pete says:

    “We can’t look at it as a 3 year, $37M deal because it will never be that. It will either be wasted money due to injury or a 4-year, $52M+ deal.”

    Well, obviously if he gets injured it’ll be a waste of money — you can say that about any contract for any player. The point is that he’s young enough such that we would want him to be our closer if he’s still healthy. But we weren’t required to guarantee that 4th year, which is why it’s a good job by Omar.

  86. bigvito22 says:

    Awesome work Omar.

  87. SPINK3 says:

    nrmax, I agree with everything you said except heilman. The guy doesnt bounce back, he just does well enough not be ridiculed. I dont care about stats for a guy like heilman, who is great at coming into a meaningless game and pitching a scoreless inning, but when the game is 4-3 either way he stinks it up. The guy has great stuff but needs a change of scenery. If he comes back they better have security guards at Citi field because he might be murdered

  88. Maineiac says:

    Woohoo. And the journey begins…

    Ok guys, we replaced Wagner, now its time to EVALUATE what we have, and do some weed whacking.

    Great job Omar, enjoy your Starbucks coffee and keep moving forward!

  89. The_Fonz says:

    So what is francessa saying about the deal, if anyone is listening? or is he still going on about CC not signing with yanks???

  90. SyracuseMets says:

    WOW! If the other teams hated the Mets because of Jose Reyes’ antics. Man, wait until they get a load of K-Rod!

  91. The_Wright_Stuff86 says:

    nrmax88 Heilman or shoud I say Homerman will be fine??? How much time would you like to give him and how many 7-8 inning home runs would you like to see him give up, he doesnt want to be in the pen anyway…

    Castillo is flat out horrible

    Mets have a new park this year, with that i’m sure they will make alot more money this year… spend it Wilpon!!!

  92. Hit The Weights Zeile says:

    Omar did a good job and has proved he is very good at dealing with big name free agents. However, I hope he doesn’t do too many victory laps down the strip because there is still plenty to be done here. I also think the street talks were contingent on us getting Krod first so I wouldnt be surprised to see those heat up again now that we know we have a closer and can start working backwards in the bullpen.

  93. metman04 says:

    going from 5 years 75 to 3 yrs 37 guaranteed…where are the fire omar chants? i cant hear you anymore : )

  94. zen says:

    last 3 years

    wagner as met: 101 saves, 17 blown

    k-rod over that period: 149 saves, 17 blown

  95. SyracuseMets says:

    Stay healthy……..and effective K-Rod!

  96. Lidge=Mitch Williams says:

    Matt,

    I’m digging the Topps card! How’d you do that so quickly? LOL.

    LET’S GO METS!

  97. So glad this deal is happening.

    To any naysayers about the vesting option for the 4th year, think of it this way: if he’s healthy and performs anywhere near the level he has thus far in his career, he could easily go for much more than 14 mil in that 4th year. It could even turn out to be a bargain.

  98. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Francessa just said that the Mets got a good deal because they got him cheap. Also said he would of done the Street for Heilman/Felicino trade as well. Although he said his sources tell him that 6 teams are interested in Heilman.

  99. Lidge=Mitch Williams says:

    Imagine bottom of the ninth in Philly. K-Rod enters the game and strikes out the side! K-Rod celebrates, as usual! It will be great! Can’t wait until April!

  100. MetsFan4Decades says:

    Good job, Omar.

    Next….

  101. vic79 says:

    I heard that too, sounds like they will get some value out of Heilman…….I actually think he will do fine as a starter

    Not sure if I would do Street for Heilman and Feliciano…………….I like Pedro and I think he and Smith are real good 6-7 inning guys

    Set up man is needed…….Is there enough for Fuentes?

  102. JB Reyes says:

    “nyone who says this team doesn’t need alot of work was blind to last year…Right they lost the division last year while blowing 25 saves but what’s the point of having Krod if the mets are blowing games in the 7-8th innings still and cant get to Krod…”

    Those 25 saves were blown IN the 9th inning. Thats what a blown save is statistically. So while the 7th and 8th inning may not be strong, it still got the Mets 25 chances that they blew.

    At the VERY LEAST, and i mean VER VERY LEAST… 15 of those saves are converted with K-Rod. That translates into a division title finishing with a 12 game lead on the team that went on to win the WS.

  103. stilltheEWM says:

    daylight savings time is over Matt.. it’s EST

  104. Lidge=Mitch Williams says:

    DWright Unclutch:

    Why are you down? C’mon! The Mets have had their low periods the last two years, but they are trying to put a good product on the field. Why don’t you go to the Philly site you troll! Peace Out!

  105. BullpenHelp says:

    JB Reyes:

    You don’t know what you’re talking about. A blown save can occur at any point in the game after the starter leaves with a win possible (i.e., in the 6th inning, for example). If the reliever in the game prevents the starter from winning (or a subsequent reliever from winning), it’s a blown save.

    Get your facts straight.

  106. DWrightUnclutch says:

    going from 5 years 75 to 3 yrs 37 guaranteed…where are the fire omar chants? i cant hear you anymore : )

    Remind me to re-post this comment on Oct. 1 after collapse #4

  107. Kellman says:

    Yeah, JB Reyes, you’re wrong. A blown save is not just in the 9th. You think the Mets blew 25 games in the 9th last year (99% sure the real number of blown saves is 29, but people keep saying 25 on here). That is such an incredible amount.

  108. ksuth says:

    great job omar. now, have your conference, a nice dinner, and then get back to work =)

    <3 you….your bff…lol

  109. DWrightUnclutch is gay

  110. BigHangWithEm says:

    JB Reyes, sorry dude, you are wrong about saves. A blown save is when any relief pitcher enters a game in a save situation and surrenders the lead.

    Saves have nothing to do with the ninth inning.

    The definition of a save is
    a) when a pitcher enters a game with a lead of one, two or three runs
    b) the tying run is in the on deck circle or on base at the moment the pitcher enters the game
    c) the relief pitcher pitches at least the final three innings of a game

    In a through c the pitcher that gets the save cannot be the winning pitcher and he must be the last pitcher his team uses that game.

    Still, great move! And, you were right about the Mets really being just one reliever away from winning the NL East last year and, in turn, making the Philly Phluke impossible.

    Now if Omar can find a way to trade Delgado and sign Tex the Mets are really in business.

  111. Metfreak says:

    Sweeny Murti comes on the Fan and fatso told him forget the K-Rod signing lets talk about CC

  112. nostradamus says:

    omar, nice work. now go sign MANNY!

  113. ohboy says:

    Hopefully this man can show us what a “clean save” is all about

  114. vic79 says:

    LOVIN the fan right now…………Francessa is snapping about Sabathia not wanting to come to NY and then Burnett is not worth the mone…Sheets and Lowe

    I would love Lower or Sheets but I think the Mets get Garland

  115. Lidge=Mitch Williams says:

    DWrights Translation:

    WAH WAH WAH! TROLL!

  116. Let him talk about CC, it’s all in regards to how much of a mistake the yanks made on Santana.

    At least he says Santana is far above CC. But he’s also on a CC hate rant

  117. Sheets and Burnett…I hope the yankees get them, very badly I hope. Because i know they’ll get hurt.

    Garland is the way to go for us.

  118. JB Reyes says:

    BullPen-

    Nah bro, you are wrong. A Save is only finishing a game in the 9th once you have inherited a lead of 3 runs or less, otherwise no save is accredited OR blown. You can blow a LEAD in the 6th, you can’t blow a save.

    Its baseball, you should check it out sometime.

  119. kingman 26 says:

    Guys and Gals, DWright Unclutch is Furioso with a new name, and his purpose is to annoy everyone and get the attention which he is so very sadly starved for in real life. I used to fall for it, but have tried very hard to grow up myself. The more he is fed the more he will come back and annoy real, grown-up fans more and more.

  120. pedro4545 says:

    This is a great signing. Did not expect to be able to sign K-Rod for only 3 years. And I love that we got this done quickly so we can focus on other needs for the remainder of the offseason.

    Also, this is my first time posting here in about a month. I don’t like how we can’t directly respond to a particular comment anymore.

  121. Lidge=Mitch Williams says:

    Thanks Kingman! =)

    DWrightUnclutch craves attention and in need of a life! HAHAHA!

  122. Kellman says:

    Hahaha JB, you’re not right. The Mets did not blow 25 saves in the 9th inning, that is absurd.

  123. CitizenSnips says:

    Kingman’s right. Also I really don’t know how a name like DWrightUnclutch got approved by Matt.

  124. Tidewater says:

    JB Reyes,

    No, dude. You couldn’t be more wrong. You can blow a save in the eighth. You can blow a save in the seventh. You are just so wrong.

  125. kingman 26 says:

    Yeah, I mean I am not trying to be overly mean or gang up on him/her, but it is sad when one incredibly negative and unrealistic person takes over a thread, ESPECIALLY on a GREAT day like this!

    If we all ignored the silly posts, laughed to ourselves, rolled our eyes and did not respond, Furioso would go the hell away!

  126. MetsFan4Decades says:

    and DWrightUnclutch is a closet Philly fan who just can’t ‘man up’ and admit it. So he plays his silly games on here thinking he’s clever when what he really is, is boring…..

  127. IWantManny/Krod4Christmas says:

    love the signing, now lets trade for a big time set up man and sign manny

  128. BigHangWithEm says:

    JB, check the Mets boxscore from 9/24/08 vs the Cubs.

    Samardzija was credited with a blown save in the 8th. Wood got the save in the 10th. Blown saves have NOTHING to do with the final inning of a game.

    Don’t be afraid to listen to other people, you might learn something.

  129. Lightweis says:

    For those questioning the uniform number…..Krod will most likely wear #62 in honor of his save record……your heard it here first

  130. A little more bullpen help, a starting pitcher, and a grinder for the everyday lineup, that’s what we need

  131. janss36 says:

    Rumor being reported in the Bay Area media is that word is spreading in Vegas that Sabathia has declined the Yankees offer…

    Unsubstantiated rumor…

  132. just-mlb says:

    come to think of it…its not a bad deal for anyone involved…

    Ollie might be better off taking a 3 year 45 mil deal and trying the market again in 3 years when its up and most of the top arms are already locked up…

    right now he is the 4th best starter…

    CC
    AJ
    Derek Lowe
    Ollie

    in 3 years he could shoot up in a players market…if he can sign for 15 mil now, he can get easily get 20 mil per year in 3 years

    3 year 45 mil now
    then a
    3 year 60 mil contract when he turns 30

    thats 115 million in 6 years…

    not bad for being inconsistent

  133. stickguy says:

    1 piece down. Now Omar needs to stop feeling full of himself and get to work. Since the real work (and the hard part) has yet to be done!

  134. metsfrenzy says:

    Good job Omar. waited to get what you wanted and got the right man for the job. Now lets focus on our other needs. Also get rid of Sho, Heilman and Luis—please

  135. metman04 says:

    DWrightUnclutch says:
    December 9th, 2008 at 4:14 pm

    Remind me to re-post this comment on Oct. 1 after collapse #4

    1. Since when is losing a 3 game lead a collapse?
    2. Even if u consider last year a collapse did I completely miss collapse #3?

  136. NYMETSFAN718 says:

    Dwrightunclutch is Jimmy Rollins

  137. zen says:

    exit it wagner…enter cluth’rod

  138. NYMETSFAN718 says:

    You have to give a lot of credit to K-Rod for not playing games, the way C.C. Sabathia has been playing with the Yankees. He took what was probably gonna be the highest offer and agreed.

  139. loqiel says:

    Fact: K-Rod is not a multiple inning closer.

    Fact: K-Rod was put into an amazing amount of save opportunities last year, maybe more than anyone ever had in one year, and by a great team in a crappy, crappy division, something that will be hard-pressed to happen again.

    Fact: K-Rod has lost velocity from his fastball.

    Fact: All the celebrations in the world cannot solidify a shaky bullpen. Remember, the Phils had Lidge last year, but when Gordon went down, they had problems getting the ball to Lidge until Madson stepped up.

    And lastly…

    Fact: It’s the little moves that make GMs great, the fine tuning of a team. See Pat Gillick’s obtaining Matt Stairs, Joe Blanton, Eric Bruntlett, all people who were supposed to be bit players but came up huge. Omar needs to learn how to do that before we crown him a great GM.

  140. bucknersankles says:

    HOW DO YOU SPELL RELIEF ?

    FRANSISCO ( SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND ) FREAKIN RODRIGUEZ

  141. ANA. was rumored to offer more…

  142. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Joel Sherman says that the Mets now really want Lowe but know they cannot out bid the Yanks or Red Sox for him so they might have to settle for Randy Wolf. Yuck, I cannot imagine Wolf in a Mets uni.

  143. loqiel says:

    Just think, Wolf would get to pitch in the Bank three or four times, his MOST FAVORITE place to play!

  144. kingman 26 says:

    Fact–The Angels were not remotely a “great” team…they lost in the first round of the playoffs.

    Fact–Being a “multiple inning closer” is wholly irrelevant these days.

    Fact–The Phils had so many problems they won the division and the World Series.

    Fact–Omar made the by far biggest and most important move first. Now he can concentrate on the rest, I may add after giving up zero players for a closer in a trade and much less guaranteed money than first thought for KRod. Thus, with LOTS of ammo left for more moves.

    Fact–This was a great signing.

  145. Lidge=Mitch Williams says:

    Kingman26:

    Amen, brother!

  146. BigHangWithEm says:

    loqiel, K-Rod throws his fastball with less speed to make his change more effective.

    Johan has altered his style the same way over the last two seasons. No negative effects there.

    Krod will be fine. CC, Burnett, Sheets these are the FA pitchers you need to worry about durability and long term effectiveness with.

    The saves record I could care less about. The important thing is that K-rods IP didn’t spike last year in pursuit of a meaningless record.

  147. BigHangWithEm says:

    my thoughts exactly kingman!

  148. Lidge=Mitch Williams says:

    DWrightUnclutch:

    How ignorant are you? Really? Yes, it was a good move. Are preparing for a parade down the Canyon of Heroes? No…of course not. But we see this as a step in the right direction. Omar filled one hole…now it’s time to fill another and another and another!

    My man you need a life…or a woman!

  149. vic79 says:

    Garland……….he is cheaper and gives innings

  150. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Stupid Karl Revech said on ESPN 2 that $13 million might be too much for K-Rod.

  151. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    vic79, Mets do not want to give up a draft pick for Garland.

  152. pedro4545 says:

    Again, great job by Omar today. However, besides for the bullpen, the worst part about last years team was the fact that we stopped scoring runs after the 5th inning most of the time. If we only make one more major signing this offseason, I hope its for a big bat in the middle of the lineup.

  153. CitizenSnips says:

    Furioso, if Omar had not signed Krod you would’ve been whining that he didn’t do anything. No one here is some outstanding member of the Minaya fanclub, they’re just congratulating him on doing something right.

  154. maxhole says:

    at least some of you are realistic. you still have the same awesome middle relief as last year that blew 30+ leads. is k-rod gonna pitch 5-9? check how many 9th innings he didn’t even pitch all three outs in last year.

  155. The Slider says:

    I would have preferred Kerry Wood, but I can live with this. As stated earlier here, it is only Step 1 of 4 or 5 Steps. So, one down, four to go.

    Keep working hard, Omar.

  156. loqiel says:

    “Fact–The Angels were not remotely a “great” team…they lost in the first round of the playoffs.”

    You have to win games to get to the playoffs. The Angels won 100 games in the regular season, 3 wins better than the Cubs or Tampa Bay. They were the best regular season team in baseball. They choked in the playoffs, yes (including K-Rod’s inability to hold a 5-5 tie in the last game) but they still made it, and they still won more games than anyone.

    “Fact–Being a “multiple inning closer” is wholly irrelevant these days.”

    Except when the rest of your bullpen stinks.

    “Fact–The Phils had so many problems they won the division and the World Series.”

    The Phillies won because they had the little pieces to go with the big pieces. That’s what makes GMs great: the little moves add up.

    “Fact–Omar made the by far biggest and most important move first. Now he can concentrate on the rest, I may add after giving up zero players for a closer in a trade and much less guaranteed money than first thought for KRod. Thus, with LOTS of ammo left for more moves.”

    Omar made the easiest move he could. There was really no other place for K-Rod to land. If he didn’t land K-Rod, it would have been a catastrophic display of ineptitude.

    “Fact–This was a great signing.”

    That was said about Wagner too. I do, however, like it for the Mets. It just seems premature to crown Omar a great GM because he was the only one with the money in a down economy that could even come close to giving K-Rod what he wanted for the length he wanted.

    A change-up works off of the difference of speed between it and a fastball, along with the appearance of being a fastball coming out of the pitcher’s hand. Thus, if the fastball is thrown at a slower speed, it has less difference of speed between it and the changeup and is less effective. This is why Santana and Hamels are 1 and 1A on the changeup list: because there is absolutely no distinction between the appearance of their fastball and their changeup coming out of their hand, along with a good fastball. It’s half visual deception and half mental deception.

  157. nickdomzz says:

    What number is he going to wear now since Johan is 57? any guesses?

  158. ravi3 says:

    Great job by Omar to bring in K-Rod at half his initial asking price. However, lets not get too excited, because the job is not yet done. If the Mets bullpen was a broken down car, then K-Rod is just a paintjob. It may look nice, but there is still more work to be done, particularly in getting a top notch set-up guy.

    Then, there is still a hole in the rotation. The Mets need to bring in a #2-3 starter, and possibly a back end guy.

    Finally, it may behoove Omar to upgrade the bench. So far, they have Castro, Endy, and Tatis/Murphy. Evans would be better suited playing everyday in the minors, leaving the team in need of a backup middle infielder, as well as a corner infielder, preferrably with some pop.

    Lets get to it, Omar….great start though!

  159. zen says:

    omar cooked us the big juicy turkey again.

    let’s hope he remembers the side dishes this year

  160. sanpetemets says:

    maxhole says:
    December 9th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
    at least some of you are realistic. you still have the same awesome middle relief as last year that blew 30+ leads. is k-rod gonna pitch 5-9? check how many 9th innings he didn’t even pitch all three outs in last year.

    Is spring training next week? I must have missed how this will be the last move he makes. Of course he’s not done. OF COURSE there is more to do. You think you can turn over the whole bullpen in one day? This isn’t fantasy baseball.
    No one is saying Minaya is fantastic, or a great GM, or that we are fitting ourselves for our replica 09 rings. All anyone is saying is given the market, what the player has accomplished, and OUR NEEDS, this is a good signing at a reasonable price and a good job by Omar in THIS case. GOD, so many of you people are impossible to please.

  161. zen says:

    hugo chavez must love the mets.

  162. uppertank says:

    “Rodriguez is a practitioner of the Santeria religion”

    Maybe he can take care of Castillo & Heilman and the other bums…

  163. k-mets says:

    According to XM radio, Sabithia declined Yankees offer. K- rod signs, Yankees missing Sabithia. Good day. I wondering if Mets can try to get him.

  164. maxhole says:

    funny way to put it zen. some blogs say mets are basically out of running for lowe. is this true, anyone?

  165. Lidge=Mitch Williams says:

    158DWrightUnclutch says:
    December 9th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
    How ignorant are you? Really? Yes, it was a good move. Are preparing for a parade down the Canyon of Heroes? No…of course not. But we see this as a step in the right direction. Omar filled one hole…now it’s time to fill another and another and another!

    Disagree with you….all too many on here absolutely do think this move equals a title.

    I’m sorry, but the amount of Omar triumphalism here is sickening at times.

    The overall level of acceptance for this team is sickening as well.

    After the past 2 seasons, and you still act like this? Terrible. Terrible. Think some of you would care a bit more but oh well.

    Some people need to suffer I suppose

    Who here is celebrating a World Title? No one…as Citizen Snips suggested, most of us are not the biggest Omar supporters; but when he did something right, we give some credit. Do we like losing? Of course not!

    The fact that you want to win each year makes you a poser, sir.

  166. IWantManny/Krod4Christmas says:

    just heard on espn’s baseball tonight special, couple or reports saying mets might try to re sign pedro

  167. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Would not mind at all if Pedro is resigned. Loved the way he helped the young guys but only if he is our fifth starter.

  168. mookie says:

    I’m ok with Krod. The only thing that really worried me was that in the postseason he looked hittable, and frankly I just don’t want to go to the playoffs but actually win them. That being said, we still need good middle relief to help out the 7th and 8th. If we get Washburn we should make a push for sheets.

  169. Fiya Minaya says:

    The Pedro rumors better be false. The man is finished and a choker to boot. If we want his “presence” in the locker room, invite him to Spring Training as an instructor.

  170. If I were K-Rod and got a save against Philadelphia, I’d do a split right on the mound and start wailing an air guitar.

  171. WallyWhitehurst says:

    okay, time for the next moves beyong KRod…

    1. Take the Rockies offer and trade Feliciano and Heilman for Huston Street

    2. Either sign Raul Ibanez or eat Castillo’s salary, cut him, and sign Orlando Hudson

    3. Drive the price up for Derek Lowe, but go aggressive after Ben Sheets

    4. Sign Randy Wolf or John Garland, who ever is cheaper

    5. Take a flier on Chad Cordero and sign him

  172. metskid96 says:

    Thank god. The mets finally made a trade!

    Now they need to get Punto, Lowe, and some relievers.

    I agree with one of you guys, we just can not only have rodriguez. we need a couple other guys too.

  173. jetsnm says:

    Am I the only one wondering why we were able to get him so cheap. Why would the Angels not want him back at that price?

  174. fongulalou says:

    As a 35year die-hard and recent critic of our
    front office,I’d like to just say:
    THANK YOU, OMAR.

  175. bkfitz says:

    “Am I the only one wondering why we were able to get him so cheap. Why would the Angels not want him back at that price?”

    Because:
    a) They want Teixeira back
    b) They have Jose Arredondo to replace him
    c) They may want CC if Teixeira signs elswhere
    d) Our deal was greater than theirs.

  176. Mets31fan says:

    nickdomzz says:
    December 9th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
    What number is he going to wear now since Johan is 57? any guesses?

    How about 62 in honor of the number of saves he had last year and also the year the Mets were founded?

  177. zen says:

    Enter K-Rod