Comments on: Buzz: Mets to Keep Alex Cora

By: methead

methead — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:19:13 +0000

anyone who is against signing Cora and just going with Ahern is not thinking. Sure, do I think he deserves a 2 year deal? No but he is the kind of player you want on a championship team. To me, he is a must re-sign. But i dont mean must in that u give him a 2 year deal.

By: Agee's Catch

Agee's Catch — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:54:26 +0000

Check the stats. Hernandez is an above average 2B. For 2008 his Total Zone Data is +16.5 at 2B, while Castillo is -23. However, Hernandez is not a good SS,

By: ExileInLA

ExileInLA — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:54:20 +0000

Paying Cora $2mm again would be worth the $$. He showed this year that he’ll hit .250 plus while playing injured; it’s fair to say that he’d hit better if he filled his role of a backup.

If Reyes gets hurt (or never gets healthy), or if Castillo relapses to injury/rehab condition, who would you rather run out there — Cora or AHearn?

Plus, he’s a constant spur to Castillo, and a good influence on all the IFs. (I wonder what the stats show about Met 1B defense with Cora vs Castillo @ 2B?) Plus, the Mets need 2 reserve IFs anyway, one of whom can hit – which is Cora’s role – so why not just get a cheap one who can backup 3B too and be the one who only plays in blowouts?

By: thedude

thedude — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:39:22 +0000

I hear what you’re saying. I’m sure Cora is very smart. And if he could replace Jerry the Clown as manager, I’d sign for that right now.

I just don’t think he’s any good as a player and with the Mets pinching pennies, they need to spend as wisely as possible.

This includes not signing Francoeur to a 3-year deal, not signing Cora when a minimum salary guy will do, etc.

By: Coolpapabell

Coolpapabell — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:49:28 +0000

Yeah, can we please just keep our $2M and spend it on a player that can actually help.

I guess Omar has not learned one thing in his time here.

By: therambler

therambler — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:35:55 +0000

A 1year deal is fine…if he takes 1 million or less. His defense was not good (no range + no arm = not good)…
Otherwise, Anderson Hernandez should be the guy. Better range, better arm…still not great defensively though.

By: starz31

starz31 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:32:27 +0000

Don’t get me wrong though, I’m not saying we overpay for the guy for his off-field intangibles. I’m just saying if its only a marginal cost to keep him over AHernadez or Valdez, I want to do that. I think he is a more solid baseball player then those two PLUs he brings experience. If someone else comes along and is more capable by all means I’m interested. And I dont want to pay him again 2 million if that prevents us from spending elsewhere.

By: stickguy

stickguy — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:30:42 +0000

Cora did a nice job (and was asked to do way more than expected). But he was also overpaid for it.

a 1 year, 1 mill deal is reasonable, and a small premium for that “veteran presence”.

Any more than that, and Valdez (or any one of a bunch of other guys with positional flexibility) for minimum wage is a better plan for the team, and a better use of budget $$s.

By: ItalPiazza31

ItalPiazza31 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:30:20 +0000

Mets could bring back A-Hern to serve in that role at a fraction of the cost. As good as Cora is in the clubhouse at his age coming off surgery, I’m not sure we can expect a repeat performance on the field in 2010.

By: starz31

starz31 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:29:18 +0000

My bad for watching the games and listening to what Gary Keith and Ron have to say about things, not to mention articles written about it. I guess i shouldn’t believe everything i hear or read.

I’ve heard plenty about them talking about Cora taking players aside in the clubhouse, and how he speaks to the younger players, how he was a mentor to Dustin Pedroia and he could do the same for Reyes, if only Reyes was actually around.

You believe what you want, I’ll believe in his value as a leader, whether its speculation, i dont know, but i havent heard anything to say its not true.