The Mets are the front-runners to sign Japanese free-agent reliever Ken Takahashi, according to NPB Tracker, the premiere resource for Japanese free agents.
According to the report, Takahashi hopes to sign with a new team by the end of the year.
The 39-year old Takahashi was 8-5 with a 3.50 ERA in 21 games last season for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
To check out footage of Takahashi, click play below:
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{ 185 comments }
Lets give him a shot. He’s got to be better then some of the guys we had last year. Go for it Omar!
how fast is 133 kmph?
…and can he throw a gyroball?
Chop a decade off his age and then let’s talk.
citizensnips
thank you very much..i was getting ready to post a comment about that..he is 39..come on get real…id rather go after ollie or lowe
133 km = about 84 mph. (No, I’m not f’n around.)
This guy, with a very mediocre ERA in the Japan League, will be at best a LOOGY.
I guess we need another lefthander out of the pen. But, ew.
the next dae sung koo!
but in all seriousness, is this guy a starter or reliever?
A 39 year old pitcher who had a 3.50 era in Japan?
Am I the only one who sees a problem with this?
NICE!! Get him Omar! He looks awesome! Great to have diffrent lookin guys in our pen, this guy looks like he can get BOTH LH and RH out…
GET HIM FOR CHEAP OMAR!!!!!
do not get this guy..unless he gets younger and not older…we are trying to get younger..please god no..
he is 40 according to that link
i dont know if that tape was sped up but it looks like he can throw heat !!
According to the link provided in the original post, he is actually 40 and will be 41 next April…
kowalski69 says:
December 13th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
…and can he throw a gyroball?
________________
No. But he can make a gyro – gyro meat, lettuce tomatoes, onions and tzazticki sauce on peta. Mmmmmm.
I know you asked for 133 km conversion, but I saw one pitch at 141 which would be about 87 mph. A kilometer is .62 miles.
we are going to sign him instead of derek lowe or oliver perez..
i mean come on..i rather have pedro than this grandpa
Metsflip. Are you out of your mind? Were you being sarcastic?
Jamie Moyer throws harder than this guy.
they sign him this is throws away my excitement of k-rod and putz and getting rid of the other clowns..not to mention we need to get manny
Hey let’s keep a spread out clubhouse! I think this team NEEDS a Japanese player… It keeps the guys lively and something to keep them happy day in and day out… Look at Dice-K in his first year… The players LOVED him just cuz he spoke another language!
This is from NPBtracker:
The next guy on the free agent market to watch is Hiroshima Carp veteran lefty Ken Takahashi. Takahashi had been weighing a move to the majors pretty much all season, and has now decided to go for it and file for free agency. Here’s a quote from JapanBall:
”It has been a wish of mine to play in America after qualifying for free agency,” said Takahashi, who went 8-5 with Hiroshima this season.
”American baseball is a different world. I’d like to start off by getting one win over there. I’ll need energy to challenge at my age but it is just a case of believing in myself,” the 39-year-old
said. ”There aren’t that many left-handers over there either and that would be a plus for me.”
Takahashi enjoyed a resurgent season for the surprisingly competitive Carp, going 8-5 with a 3.50 ERA in 115 2/3 innings. The Carp will certainly miss his presence in the rotation, but team ownership has already promised him a home after he comes back.
Takahashi will be 40 next April, so there will be inevitable comparisons to Masumi Kuwata, who joined the Pirates at age 38 after a long career in Japan. The big difference is that Takahashi is coming off a good season, while Kuwata had been washed up for a couple of years when he moved over. I expect Takahashi to get a major league contract.
The Mets have already been mentioned as a potential suitor, which isn’t a surprise given that they need pitching and have signed a number of Japanese players over the years. Surprisingly they like him as a starter. Nikkan Sports reports that the Cubs, Padres, and Giants are interested, and quotes a Cubs scout as saying Takahashi could be used out of the bullpen and as an emergency starter. This makes a lot more sense to me given Takahashi’s age and recent workload.
Hey the world won’t fall to hell if we sign this guy… He’ll prob be cheap! Let’s give ‘em a shot…
I can throw Pedro harder than this guy can pitch.
(no, that’s not a typo)
Oh and plus we need another lefty in our pen…
the only 41 y.o i;d even consider pitching for us that is living would be smoltz – dead would be stachal paige
relax guys. first of all its probably just a rumor that will never amount to anything and second of all he is a relief pitcher. We would never start this guy and so he would not effect our pursuit of a starter. He may just be a lefty relief man that we can get for cheap and see what he’s got.
hes another kei igawa
He’s a lefty isn’t he? I guess he’d replace Scho in the pen?
true gary – still hope we get lowe – i guess u could say im high on lowe lol
hideki ihearaboo? is dat u?
Also did they stay anything about his price?
He can’t expect much at the age of 39. I say give him a shot. Maybe a 2 year deal. If he wants more than that, go play for Seattle.
this guy looks good , that being said hes a lefty and if they can get hit then theres no need for perez any more and can all but move in on lowe , and let takashi have the 5th spot till neise is ready
We do need another left in the pen and we just traded one that held left-handed hitters last year to a .176 average. If we needed another LOOGY then why did we trade away Schoeneweis who was going to make only about $3.5 million this year?
forget lowe i think jon garland would be a great fit
espn’s crasnick just stated that the mets may now be the front runners for lowe since the yankees are probably done
Eduardo,
I would bet my entire salary that they wouldn’t sign him for a spot in the rotation. He is likely going to be added as depth, if he is actually going to be added.
2 years?? How ab a minor league deal
Lowe>Perez>Garland>Marquis.
STAY AWAY, a 39 year old starter with mostly .500 or below winning record is probablty not gonna translate well in MLB
Mets should go for Koji Uehara
This grand dad is ridiculous. signing this guy would of been unacceptable two days ago, but after the Wilpons revealed they got robbed for 300 mil, this is the kind of future product to be expected.
When you mention Mr Koo, I always remember that beautiful sunny day when Mr Koo drove a double to the foot of the wall against the Skanks…
I cheered til I could not breath!
We had snuck down to the good seats by then.
Omar, come on. We got bigger fish to fry than this carp!
manny
This guy looks like he can nail the corners well and has decent stuff… I say give him a shot in a heartbeat… Who knows maybe he can become a good story…
the slider, that’s a good question, the only answer anyone seems to be able to come up with is that fans hated him.
dicks sporting goods have regular t-shirts with k-rods number and name on the back of it..no jerseys though
The MPH of the pitches he throws (in order):
85, 80, 83, 76, 81, 88
Also i can’t imagine they would sign this guy to be a starter. That would just be crazy.
I’d rather go with Niese than with this guy. If he wants to sign a minor league contract with us, then fine. It’s always good to have a bunch of pitchers on the AAA club in case of injuries. But, otherwise, no thanks.
I’d rather have Pedro …. who actually throws harder than this schlub.
you gyts are just scared because of kaz. look outsid the box. he looks pretty good.
Hey va beach; you D. Wright?
bkfitz Thanks for the info
that seems pretty good for his age… I dont know but this guy seems like he really wants to play in the MLB and for cheap…
whoever said garland over lowe is nuts hitters hit over .300 off of him last season and at whats he’s going to be asking for i would stay away unless he was #5 starter but not even at his price only at ours
We’re not scared because of Kaz. We’re scared because it doesn’t make sense to sign this guy and pencil him in as our #5, another lefty in the pen? sure, a minor league deal? sure. A number 5 starter? Not so much.
NO!!!
Again, they aren’t signing him to be out no. 5. I can understand some japanese, and it refers to minaya as considering him to be pitching depth. The word depth would not imply that he is our future no.5.
hes way too old and and throwing 84-87 mph aint good when it comes to MLB.
I would rather go after Daniel Cabrera and give him a shot and to add depth to our Rotation.. Along with trying to sign Lowe. What do you all think about that?
lowe is too old..garland would be a great fit, he had one bad season last year but besides that he was pretty reliable with the white sox. in 2006 and 2007 he was an 18 game winner
300,
I would normally agree with you, but Moyer has made me a believer.
whaaaaaaaaaaatttttt
what the hell ever happend to brad penny didnt he start last years all star game did he really lose his game like that or is able to have a come back?
This guy would strictly be a LOOGY, right?
Yeah I like the Brad Penny idea too. He is coming off of surgery or an injury though.
he was terrible in 08 and wasnt an all star…but id still take a chance on him
i think best fits for the mets would be derek lowe and either randy wolf / randy johnson/ andy pettite
when hes healthy hes nasty
aint this guy to old tho?
Umm, sorry to be a lil dumb but what is a LOOGY?
Crasnick says the Mets are frontrunners for Lowe
Ken Takahashi, huh?
A 40-year-old lefty reliever who has never pitched in the Majors?
I’d rather the Mets sign Joe Beimel, but then again, can Takahashi — or anyone else be any worse than the recently-dumped Scott Schoeneweis?
what about derek lowe and snatching jamie moyer away from the phillies he wasnt offer abbr. so he doesnt cost picks and he’s a very smart pitcher but isnt he asking for alot of money for a 45 year old ?
Rotoworld said that Takahashi would most likely sign for a minor league deal here in the States.
As long as he’s in the pen, I support this.
And Koji Uehara would be an even better signing.
Hey Metsflip.
LOOGY = Lefty One Out GuY
Hey Matt, Im not a fan of this new comment section format
what about takashi saito, i know he had a bad year last year but i think we should give him a shot. he was nasty in 07
can’t hurt to sign him on a low risk 1 year deal.
let him try to win a job in ST as a SP or as a bullpen guy
Saito had some sort of plasma injected into his pitching elbow. I am not a surgeon, but that cannot possibly be good.
mouser,
i’m pretty sure this format is only due to the increased traffic during the hot stove season…I hope so anyway because I hate it to.
This guy would get destroyed in the U.S. I hope Omar is not seriously considering him for the now vacant LOOGY position. I still do not get the Scho trade, unless the Mets already have a replacement lined up such as an Ohman. We need two lefties in the pen. Feliciano by himself will not adequate.
Ya those of you who say Uehara, i agree, I saw some vids of his and he actually looks nasty… I believe he can be better in the Majors because not many hitters see his type of stuff…
Sylar=thanks
do you guys really consider lowe a #2 starter?
mean mouserdz
Japanese relief pitchers for the most part tend to pitch well in MLB. Starters not so much, with the exception of Daiske.
This guy will start. Insurance if Niese falters. Hey, the age and junk works for Jamie Moyer. 5-6 innnings and then bring in the heat.
Re Lowe, as long as the signing allows us to be able to call Maine our number 4 starter, I don’t really care If I consider him a 2 or 3. Maine, recovering from surgery, is not a lock to be himself right away. Adding Lowe to our rotation would not only improve it from last year, but it would also make it more consistent and dependable.
Metsflip,
LOOGY = Lefty One Out GuY (i.e., a lefthanded specialist used only against lefty batters – a guy you bring in if opposing manager PHs a LH batter for a lefty or to get out a tough lefty in the 6th – say, a Ryan Howard type). What Showeneweis should have been used for.
now wishfully thinking…maybe he didnt throw his fastball in that video link…hopefully.
anyways…i think lowe would be a good fit. he’s looking for the dollars not years. and i think garland would be better than perez
nycesq
exactly with our current bullpen, a rotation of Santana, Lowe, Pelfrey, Maine and whoever is perfectly fine
then if you only add Manny to the lineup then that makes the Mets the best team (on paper) in the National League…
I think there’s a very great chance that Lowe lands with us. His marketplace has collapsed with the Burnett signing. The Yankees are done with pitching. They’ll bring Pettitte back. The Red Soxs are setting their sights on Texieria and aren’t interested in using any of those resources on Lowe. The Phillies just spent 30 million on Ibanez. And, Lowe has stated he wants to return back to the east coast. In that case, the options aren’t numerous. He’s really fallen in our lap. Omar has hit the jackpot two offseasons in a row.
Does anyone know where our current payroll is? I know it was about 143 million last season. I was trying to figure out what signing Lowe and Manny would do to the payroll.
If Lowe gets something like 4/50 (i have no idea how accurate or terrible that would be) and Manny signs for 3/60. That adds up to about 33 million extra a year.
How feasible is this? I feel as if we are about 20 million dollars under our last payroll amount. Again, I could be way off.
I dont know if anyone realized this but he is a RELIEVER…everyone is writing about him and how he is a starter…i would defenitely givve him a chance, as long as it is cheap..
“The Mets are the front-runners to sign Japanese free-agent RELIEVER Ken Takahashi, “
I meant that we were currently 20 million under, i think.
Phil31, I lock the way you tawk. Apologies to swingblade…
Why would we want a 40-yer-old Japanese LHP rookie compared to a younger and more expirienced with the MLB LOOGY like Joe Beimel? Really, come on…
Ugh damn laptops. I accidentally pressed submit before I finished typing.
Anyway Wagner should be considered a sunk cost so adding K-rod shouldn’t stop them from spending other places since he essentially replaces Wagner.
Teixiera to the Mets = Not happening
Lowe to the Mets = 15% chance
Manny to the Mets = 35% chance
We can all stop dreaming about trading this guy and signing Lowe and Manny
Anyone know the current state of our payroll?
Bradford
because Beimel has way worse numbers against lefties than Scho or Feliciano had. He’s not even that good of a loogy.
Where would you even get percentages like that? Oh, well, since you said it, it has to be true.
repeat after me. NO MORE LOOGYS!
Pedro F is a loogy. 1 is the max.
What they need is a lefty set up man that can pitch to either side, and be at least reasonably effective against RH batters.
Thank you for your support!
And get Wiggy for the LF platoon (if he can actually play a decent OF) and get Tatis back on the bench where he belongs.
How about Randy Johnson coming in as a LOOGY. Now that would be something.
bradford
just b/c the mets sign him doesnt mean he’s automatically given a spot on the team.
he looks like a decent lefty with a typical tricky japenese sidearm delivery. if he pitches well enough to make the team then thats good if not he’ll probably go back to japan or sign someplace else.
NYCESQ, I think we may be working with 25 million or so.
trouble is Pedro F. was god-awful last year
Don’t quote me on it, but that’s the number at least that I have heard from listening to Ed Coleman before on WFAN.
Hey everyone-
Just a quick couple of thoughts, was wondering what everyone thought:
-the Rockies non-tendered Willy Taveras yesterday, I think for the right price he would be a great fit with the Mets. Jose and Taveras would be nice. Tatis is good but old, so is Marlon. Taveras has some experience and I believe he is only 27.
-Smoltz as a Met?
-Chris Capuano and Joe Nelson are free agents, Capuano will cost more than Nelson but they could provide the needed support to the entire staff and bullpen, so e aren’t scrambling for a starter if an injury occurs.
-I think Ollie will sign with us, what do you guys think?
Lastly, what do you think Omar is going to do about a catcher?
Thanks Phil.
I wonder if they are willing to increase last year’s payroll. If not, that would leave us signing Lowe or Perez, and NOT leave us much more to sign a big bat. Ibanez cost philly 10/yr. The other options are likely to cost just as much, if not more.
Everyone else is reasonably signed in the pen. With respect to the bullpen, I don’t see how we would be able to free up cash, without increasing the payroll. The moves would have to be made via trades of the IF/OF.
Pedro F. was godawful against RH hitters, against LH hitters, while he wasn’t as good as Scho, he was good enough.
Stickguy, you need more than one lefty out of the pen. I have no doubt that we will have more than one in the pen when the season starts. I just don’t know why it wasn’t Show other than the Omar believing that he couldn’t survive the fans’ wrath after the way it ended for Show last season.
One last thing I forgot–
Arthur Rhodes is an effective lefty, he is going to sign a 2 year 4 million dollar deal with the Reds pending a physical. Why do you think Omar did not pursue him? Low cost, solid turnout guy, he could have provided some stability to the pen.
sign lowe, sign manny, pick up daniel cabrera and lets go to war. please no japanese imports we have awful luck with them.
cleonsvan
haha Randy Johnson who is closing in on 300 wins would never sign to be a closer let alone a middle reliever
also in regards to feliciano unless im reading the stats wrong Feliciano’s era in Mets wins is 0.79 and his era in Mets losses is 29.95
i think its safe to say Feliciano is a very important member of this mets team…
I don’t think this is a big deal. If he makes the team as a LOOGY then great if not we roll with who we have.
phukthephills says:
December 13th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I dont know if anyone realized this but he is a RELIEVER…everyone is writing about him and how he is a starter…i would defenitely givve him a chance, as long as it is cheap..
“The Mets are the front-runners to sign Japanese free-agent RELIEVER Ken Takahashi, “
_______________________
Yes, I knew this … and I still don’t want him. Maybe a minor league contract just to stow away as many arms as possible.
great…the Japanese Scott Schoenweiss
@ny1012
That’s a good point about Rhoads (Rhodes?). I wouldn’t mind him. He can still bring it around 92-94 mph I believe. If he can do to Utley, Howard and now Ibanez what he did to Delgado, we’ll be golden.
Slider, I think it was a matter of Omar recognizing Show’s terrible contract, and being given an opportunity to get rid of it. Feliciano was given a 1yr/1 million dollar contract. He is more cost effective than Show’s 3.6 million.
NY1012,
I don’t think he hated Rhodes. If I remember correctly, Rhodes signed prior to his bigger moves. There was no way to know of the opportunities that he would have at the Winter Meetings. He couldn’t sign another lefty, prior to getting ride of what he had first. He could potentially tie up payroll allocation that way. It just leaves for poor planning. Rhodes would have been nice, but our additions were worth the wait.
ny1012
My 2 cents: I don’t know enough about defensive metrics to make a judgement myself, but I would only want Taveras if here were a high, high quality defensive OF (at least on par with Endy), otherwise why get him, he can’t steal first.
I would take Smoltz, but I seriously doubt he would come here.
I’m intrigued by Capuano, but my understanding is that he’s injured and will not be ready to open the season on time, and I also believe I read the Milwaukee is negotiating to keep him.
Nelson would continue the marvelous change over of the bullpen, but I’m happy with it as it is right now provided a decent LH is added, and Nelson is RH.
I think if the Mets can get Lowe, Ollie will not be brought back. If no Lowe, perhaps.
I think Omar couldn’t pursue Rhodes while he still had Pedro F. & Scho, and the Reds swooped in before Scho was dealt. I suppose the Mets could jump in and overwhelm him, but it’s not urgent in my opinion.
NYCESQ ,
But isn’t that “nickel and dime-ing” at this point? If he sign another lefty for the pen at, for argument’s sake, at what Pedro F. makes, $1 million. Great, Omar has saved the team $2.5 million. It’s not like we have a cap.
38 million, 3 years for Lowe.
53.5 million, 3 years for Manny.
See you in October.
Daniel Cabrera would be the PERFECT Mets signing
Santana, Pelfrey, Maine, Perez (resign), Cabrera
Lowe and Manny are pipe dreams
SciosciaHeartburnDiarrhea
You call Lowe a pipe dream, ESPnis’ Jerry Crasnick calls the Mets front runners for his services. No offense but I’ll take Crasnick’s opinion over yours.
GravediggerHebner
I agree with what you wrote nearly word for word, I wasn’t saying we need to do those moves lol. I just think Omar should do some under the radar moves to solidify the team. When injuries, poor play, etc pop up a team needs to have solid players on the second line to step in a play average to above average.
Taveras is a career .283 hitter with a .331 OBP, with a .985 fielding percentage.
Endy is a career .270 hitter with a .311 OBP, with a .992 fielding percentage.
They have very similiar stats for the most part. I think Taveras would be a nice complimentary player if we need someone. Endy is gone, someone has to fill his void.
Hey Slider, I am on your team. But unfortunately, I don’t know if Minaya has a “cap.” It is possible they were trying to be in the position they were last season, by essentially keeping the payroll similar.
Going into the meetings, Minaya needed a closer, setup man, and extra pieces. That would just address the pen. While it is nickle and dime-ing, I think he is just trying to be prudent, and see where he is at before making smaller additions like Rhodes.
I know Manny is a prolific hitter, but do we necessarily need a head case. This team needs a personality and they need to have a blue collar mentality. We need players that play hard to the end, and don’t stop until they have achieved their goal. Jerry brought that attitude to a team last year that still had some Willie players on it and Willie was too laid back. This is Jerry’s first full year here and I think behind the scenes he has told Omar what type of guy he wants on his team, and what type of guy he doesn’t want on his team regardless of talent. I just don’t think Manny would be smart.
ok ok..im just being pessimistic then haha
my wishlist
- Daniel Cabrera (#4 starter with #2 upside)
- Rafael Furcal (2B)
- Angel Berroa (bench)
- Manny (LF)
- Ollie or Lowe (whoever is cheaper)
Also, I think we as Met fans have gotten very use to the Willie/Manuel topsy turvy bullpen manuevers. I know Jerry didn’t have a choice, but normally teams don’t have to carry two lefty specialists. Ideally, you want to pick up guys that can pitch to both LH and RH hitters.
Adding Putz and K-Rod helps us a lot. We still have Feliciano to come on and get a LH pinch hitter out, when necessary.
can any one find more information on Koji Uehara for because minaya sees him as a starter had im having no luck on age height or any information except that i saw youtube clips of this guy , this guy has really good stuff he could fight for a rotation spot his stuff his movment on his pitchers are above average
Here is the deal, in my opinion. Ollie is the proper signing for the first vacant spot. He dominated the Phils last year and it will only get worse for them with Ibanez rather than Burrell. In addition, I do not mind Pedro as the fifth starter. He will regain his control and he should gain a few more mph having more time to recover from shoulder surgery. Don’t forget, our rotation wasn’t really our problem last year… Also, someone else mentioned Pettitte. Not a bad suggestion at all, given how lefty dominant Philly is… About Lowe. Not a good idea in my opinion. Worse for the Yanks, but bad for us. Ground ball pitcher. Wright throws the ball all over the infield. Reyes is great but can get down on himself. Castillo. HA! No range. Delgado. Played better once we jetisoned Willie, but he ain’t no Hernandez. The hits would come fast and furiously. Even worse for the Yanks. Expose Jeter for what he is: a clutch hitter and very mediocre fielder
I think Jerry could actually handle Manny. Regardless, whether it is a selfish idea or not, Manny wants to hit over 700 hrs. I’d let him do it on my team anytime.
his stuff has great movement and his pitches are above average sorry for the written mistake
I think he would fit into the long man out the pen / spot starter roll. Worth a look in spring training if he’s cheap.
ny1012
I fully support your ’solid second line’ theory. While I would not have cancelled the Putz trade because Endy was involved, he filled an important role on a team with a LF platoon of offense leaning players, an uncertain RF situation due to head injuries, and as a fine CF should the unfortunate need for one arise.
At the moment I think new guy Jeremy Reed is in that role, and as I stated previously my ‘defensive metric’ understanding (as well as my desire to improve said understanding) is limited, so I don’t know how good at it he might be.
Given the ultimate uncertainty with both corner OF positions I believe someone with a more well rounded game than Taveras’ (better OBP, better SLG) would be preferable, but I have no idea who that is. Ty Wigginton fits the offensive bill, but defensively?
NYCESQ
Agreed, I just hope the Mets are different this year. I hope that they realize a lot of people in the city really love this team, and they are happy when they win and upset when they lose. The last two years have been awful endings, but we keep going out and supporting them. I hope they play like every game is their last and they are desperate for every win, and don’t collapse.
GravediggerHebner
Ty Taveras? lol I would love to find the player you are looking for.
SciosciaHeartburnDiarrhea
I think you’ll get Ollie then, because if Lowe comes cheaper than Ollie (at least annually) some crow is going to be very disappointed when I eat it.
Figures they go for the cheapest Japanese pitcher on the market.
Listen, I dont think any free agent pitcher would be the answer the Mets are looking for, including Lowe or Sheets considering the age/injury risk and dollar amounts of available free agents. The trade route is the direction for a starting pitcher and now that the Brewers will have Yovani Gallardo back for 09, any opinions on Dave Bush or Seth McClung? Preferably Bush and if possible, what do you think it would take to land such a prize?
ny1012
Ty Taveras would be great. I’ll get my genetics team on that ASAP!
GravediggerHebner
lmao
So have we entirely forgotten about aquiring a second baseman? (i.e. Hudson)
Omar has been quoted as saying Castillo is his second baseman.
Regarding 2B Hudson, the one defensive metric that I know a bit about (at least for infielders) is Revised Zone Rating, and of the 17 2B who played enough innings to qualify in 2008, Hudson was the 17th best.
To be fair, Castillo was even worse, but he didn’t play enough to qualify. I wouldn’t want to replace a horrible 2B with a slightly less horrible 2B.
another 40 yr old pitcher. wowee. second place. puhleezzzzzzz. omar, JUST SIGN MANNY AND GO TO THE WORLD SERIESS!
I think what all are missing is that Omar is saying Castillo is his 2B, but is really going to get Hudson (especially since there is not very much press on takers for him at this moment…) and don’t be suprised if you see Cabrera as the 5th SP
we are gonna go after manny once he finds a starting pitcher…thats what i think..but i think it should be the other way around
I Dont Want No 40 Year Old .Thats The Last Thing We Need.
i just want to know when k-rods jersey is gonna be available
I bet Omar’s moves are
Sign daniel Cabrera to a 1 or 2 year deal
Sign Derrick Lowe to 3 year 48 mil
Do everything he can to move Castillo. And if he does
Sign Orlando Hudson 3 year 30mil
Thats it.
Enterkrod You Know What Jersey Number Hes Going To Be Right?
yeah #75
yeah just what we need a 40 year old pitcher that hasnt thrown in the big leagues.
this is like an asian version of that kevin costner movie ‘the rookie’.
comments are hard to read up
you cant sign Ollie just b/c he dominated the Phillies and the Yankees. What about his other 28 starts???
Omar HAS to say that Castillo is his second baseman. He has to try and keep his value up if he wants to move him.
I think we should all have learned from this past week that Omar is working very hard right now and that we all are not “confidants” of his. It’s clear that staying patient has worked for him (e.g. Santana, KRod, Putz).
It’s fun to speculate what our team will/should do at this point, but all I can say is …
In Omar We Trust! (That said, I want Peavy or Lowe and Ollie; Orlando Hudson AND Manny). That’s all. Just these little pieces to the puzzle. ; )
ollie pitched his best against all above .500 teams dont take credit away from him that easy meaning hes a pitcher that comes through when it matters the most and isnt that what this team needs
Why can’t we get back to the old format ? Matt?????!!!!!!!!
I think the Schoeneweis trade and the rumors surfacing of this Japanese pitcher are a sign of the bigger plan in store for this team. Omar can and should scrimp out on the final touches to the bullpen. You get one of these foreign arms like Takahashi taking league minimum, minor league contract, you take it and run. He doesn’t even look too bad. With his quick deceptive motion, I could totally see the Phillies lefties having problems. Also the question of 5th starter, you find someone off the scrap heap who is capable, cheap, and eats innings: Tim Redding, Daniel Cabrera, Odalis Perez, whoever fits the bill. We must save every dollar possible and use it towards a run at Lowe/Ollie and Manny.
37.5 million, 3 years for Lowe/Ollie.
55 million, 3 years for Manny.
stay away from japs esspecially at 40. We have bad luck with JAPS
philnym
i like your thinking…lets hope thats what omar is thinking
Feliciano type stuff
The Mets And Omar Should Think About Furcal He And Reyes At The Top Of The Order Would Be Dynamic . Agree?
NtNYM3 i agree but hes gunnacost way too much
furcal turned down 3 years at almost 40 mill no thank you he’s looking for money and his back injuries arent worth it , if im going with injuries i rather deal with milton bradleys injuries and his power bat then little old back breakn furcal
Anyone notice the changes to the mets.com 40 man roster? Easley is back on and A. Reyes was taken off.
What Bout Bobby Abreu?
i see nothing wrong with signing this guy as long as he isn’t guaranteed a spot in the pen. He’s a lefty. Looks like his stuff is ok always hard to tell against japaneese hitters who flail at the ball.
hes not a type a so i wouldnt mind him he had 100 runs 20+ stolen bases
100 rbis and was the best hitter in the al last season with men on scoring postion
but i pefer a right hander but abreu will be joined with fellow venezulans in santana and k rod so this team might bring the best out of him
Who Do You Think Has A Better Year Krod Or Putz?
the more i think about it the more i do like the thought of abreu..manny obviously more..but bobby wouldnt be bad
i think krod has a better year..
Wait a minute. This 40 year old japanese LHP is posting a 3.50 ERA and thats his best career ERA? His career ERA is 4.23! He’s a lefty in the land of the lefties (japan)! Don’t you think he’d fail miserably in the MLB if he’s just a decent reliever in the NBP?!
bad luck with Japs? Have you forgotten Shinjo?
I do not think many people realize just how much this team is in a win now mode. The window of opportunity is upon us and we are in a moment of severe urgency. With the team currently constructed, there’s only two to three years left to get it done and there’s no better time to win in sight. Omar pulled off the trade for Putz and he’ll be here for the next two seasons before he leaves via free agency, goes elsewhere, and becomes a closer once again. Also, take into consideration, the fact that the front office has made no effort to move Delgado even during an offseason where Texieria could have made for the perfect long term solution. In a few years, Wright and Reyes will be set for their big paydays. Go ahead and add Pelfrey’s name to that list as well, it’s only a matter of time. How will those large contracts effect us in filling the other glaring holes that the team will be set to face?
That is why, we must sign Manny and Lowe/Ollie. If this were a game of poker, we really find ourselves so pot-committed where we must go all in. There is no turning back. Let’s win one, it’s in our reach. It is time to bring home a World Series title, my friends. Let’s Go Mets!
yup..another ANCIENT pitcher…LOL…let’s hope this is not one that the GM is serious about….
No!!!! Saito is a FREE AGENT!!!!!!!! Hes good for bullpen and is Japanees! (Just Kidding about that just a joke) get him
a mediocre 40 year old that cant win 10 games…. why not just resign pedro?
boo to this guy….he only throws in the 80’s…most pitchers were 85 and the highest was 88….y would we want this
Omar forget this, unless this is to save money in the bullpen . Sho’s salary dump, netted the team some cash.You should be targeting one postion player only. MANNY. stop stalling. Go get HIM.
yea he looks like feliciano, got that big slider. Does he have closer experience in Japan? That might explain this one lol. Anyone know anything about the Japanese pitcher Uehara? MLBTR has us as front runners for him. From what i’ve seen on youtube he does have some nasty movement on his pitches.
and there is the replacement to Scho…….nice nice……….
who cares on the age he is the second lefty
I can see the headlines now……..PHILS SIGN LOWE ; METS SIGN MR. MIYAGI !
metsblow4show, please trade lives with me yours seems so enticing
129letsgometsgo1986 says:
December 13th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
“Here is the deal, in my opinion. Ollie is the proper signing for the first vacant spot. He dominated the Phils last year and it will only get worse for them with Ibanez rather than Burrell. In addition, I do not mind Pedro as the fifth starter. He will regain his control and he should gain a few more mph having more time to recover from shoulder surgery. Don’t forget, our rotation wasn’t really our problem last year… Also, someone else mentioned Pettitte. Not a bad suggestion at all, given how lefty dominant Philly is… About Lowe. Not a good idea in my opinion. Worse for the Yanks, but bad for us. Ground ball pitcher. Wright throws the ball all over the infield. Reyes is great but can get down on himself. Castillo. HA! No range. Delgado. Played better once we jetisoned Willie, but he ain’t no Hernandez. The hits would come fast and furiously. Even worse for the Yanks. Expose Jeter for what he is: a clutch hitter and very mediocre fielder”
Pelfrey’s a sinkerball pitcher, too, and he’s had no problems with the defense behind him. I maintain that Lowe would be just fine. You truly underestimate the Mets infield defense. And if they can get Hudson, they will be that much better.
GravediggerHebner says:
December 13th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
“Regarding 2B Hudson, the one defensive metric that I know a bit about (at least for infielders) is Revised Zone Rating, and of the 17 2B who played enough innings to qualify in 2008, Hudson was the 17th best.
To be fair, Castillo was even worse, but he didn’t play enough to qualify. I wouldn’t want to replace a horrible 2B with a slightly less horrible 2B.”
Gravedigger, I can’t speak to the efficacy of the defensive metric that you looked at, but Hudson did win the GG in 2006 and 2007. Of course this is a subjective award, and the managers and whoever else vote for it aren’t infallible. The one example people like to use is that of Rafael Palmeiro who won the GG at 1B about a decade ago, even though he played all but 28 games or so as a DH. Twenty-eight games at 1B, and he won the GG award. So, the voters can still make mistakes, and I doubt that they have a whole set of stats when they are making their decisions (if they don’t, MLB should probably provide it for them). Instead, from what I understand, the voters, who are mostly managers I think, go by what they’ve seen on the field- and they can’t vote for their own guy. That’s understandable.
When Palmeiro won the award in 1999 for being a DH more than a 1B, it had been his third straight GG Award. Voters tend to go with the same guy each year, unless there’s something to change their mind.
Anyway, Hudson can’t be that bad if he got the award two times in a row. Plus, he’s a much more productive hitter than Castillo.
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