Last night, John Lackey pitched 6.2 innings, struck out seven, walked three, and let up six hits and three runs.
…he is impressive… he might have escaped his final inning unscathed, had it not been for a questionable ball four, which was an inside strike…
… friends who love the Angels have told me he throws strikes, he’s a big-time competitor, and he is always in command of his stuff, but, though this serves him well most starts, because of it, he can get burned pretty easily and doesn’t seem to have the ability to adjust and work out of trouble…
Ed Leyro of Mets Merized Online asks, “Did Lackey just pitch his way on to the Mets?”
…i don’t know, but, what’s wooing me is his control, ability to change speeds and levels, and he’s clearly a bulldog out on that mound…
Last week, Joel Sherman of the New York Post said he doesn’t believe Lackey is interested in playing in New York, adding, “He is a Texan who longs to pitch for the Rangers.”
That said, Jon Heyman of SI.com believes the Mets, Yankees and Dodgers are among the logical landing spots for Lackey.
…i agree… i have heard from people around the game that, while lackey would love to pitch for the Rangers, they are not likely to give him the level contract he is seeking, and, ‘it’s time for him to be paid,’ as he is said to feel like he took a discount the last two times around with the Angels… according to people close to lackey, he doesn’t want to be a star, he just wants to win, and be paid well…
…he’d be a fantastic pitcher for Citi Field… he is exactly what the Mets need, in that he’s not an ace, but he’s a bonafide next-level guy… also, he’s as emotional and intense and focused as Johan Santana, he doesn’t walk people, he lets hitters put the ball in play and he has tremendous command of his pitches, while changing speeds and keeping hitters off balance… lastly, he clearly is not intimidated by anything, including the big-game spotlight…
Lackey rejected a three-year, $40 million contract extension last spring from the Angels that would have taken affect at the start of next season. According to Heyman, “Lackey could double that as a free agent,” and net A.J. Burnett money, i.e., $82 million over five years.
…lackey and Matt Holliday will cost nearly $35 million on next season’s payroll… i love this team, but i’ve never seen them spend that much on just two people in one off season… Carlos Beltran and Pedro Martinez were close, but not $35 million, which is a whole other level of spending, when you consider they have other holes to fill as well… and, so, you’d need to go a long way to convince me they will this off season, and i’m not even sure it’s the smartest long-term move anyway… of course, never have there been two people, both free agents, who fit the team’s two biggest needs, available in the same off season following one of the worst three-year periods in team history, all with a new ballpark to fill…
The 30–year-old Lackey finished the regular season 11–8 with a 3.83 ERA in 27 starts, while missing six weeks at the start of the season with a forearm strain. He also missed the first six weeks in 2008 with a strained tricep, but finished the season 12–5 in 24 starts with a 3.75 ERA.
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There are two big factors which should play into this year´s FA thinking by the Mets.
1. They won´t lose a draft pick for signing a Type A.
2. They have at least $36 million coming off the books after 2009 (and maybe $48mill if Reyes doesn´t recover from his leg injuries and they decide not to sign him). Thus, a long term contract could be backloaded to make the first 2 years affordable within their current salary structure.
Other questions with a financial impact:
will Ruben Tejada and/or Reese Havens be ready to step in for Castillo and/or Reyes after 2011?
Will Ike Davis be playing 1B in 2011/2012?
Will Fernando Martinez ever be healthy enough to take over either in CF or a corner OF?
I think they really need to take advantage of this opportunity and go hard after Holliday and Lackey. It would help the team, while going a long way to win back the hearts of a disillusioned fanbase.
I thought Dave was going to pick pitching.
I do agree that signing both allows you to keep your MLB talent. I think Tejada is on a trajectory that would put in in Citi by 2011 for sure. He will have a full year in AAA next year. Reese Havens on the other hand is a different story. His durability has slowed his progress. He would have been on pace with Tejada had it not been for the injuries, so now he will have to spend a good deal of time in AA. If he does well enough, his maturity would allow his promotion to AAA in good time next year. He has to remain healthy and produce in order for that to happen.
F-Mart I would imagine would either be traded of stay a full year in AAA. I don’t really know where he fits on the Majot LEague roster. This will be his second full year in AAA, and if we sign Holiday, there will be no room for him for two years. Can you actually see him in AAA for two more years? I don’t. That is why I think he will be traded.
Wait – in 2005, the Mets added $17M/year for Beltran, $12M/year for Pedro, and were ready to bring in Delgado to had it not been for Bernazard’s effrontery. Assuming Delgado would have cost another $12M/year, that would have been $41M total added to the payroll.
True, the existing Mets payroll was pretty thin back then. And they have to consider that over the next 3 years, they will have to deal with Wright, Reyes, Beltran, another closer and probably another pitcher or 2. But still, all Lackey and Holliday would cost is money and they’d be able to look to their farm system to fill some future holes (wouldn’t that be nice?).
Oops! I meant after 2011.
I officially fell in love with Lackey last night.
I’ve never seen a player take on an umpire, and his OWN manager in a game before – all while sticking the Bronx Bomber’s Bats (hows that for alliteration?) up their collective rear ends.
I still don’t think he’s the best option, but we _do_ need someone to call out Manuel on his crap. Really, what we needed was Wright to quietly tell Minaya that he’s losing the clubhouse, but that apparently didn’t happen.
David Wright is the model student and class president of the Mets. There’s no way he’s going to do anything like what you’re suggesting.
Yes, this team has a lot of holes. But, the most glaring hole of all is in our rotation. We’re obviously missing that bonafied #2 guy and Lackey is that guy.
We have needs offensively but many of our players were injured last year which only compounded our feelings of failure.
It’s concieveable to sign Lackey and fill in the holes we have.
A rotation of:
Santana
Lackey
Pelfrey
Perez
Maine
Is pretty solid.
The last three guys are question marks. Besides Lackey, we need a solid dependable number 3 starter. Let Pelfrey and Perez make up the back part of your rotation. I’m done with John Maine – He’s never healthy.
If you had to choose one, it has to be Lackey. I think he would have a greater impact on our team over the course of the season than whoever we would play in LF in place of Holliday. He is the quality #2 pitcher we need, short of acquiring another ace but that will cost you more than just money. If it had to be vice versa, that still is a big upgrade as well. Going for Both players though…where do I sign?
We won’t be losing draft picks if we sign one of or both of these players.
If we fail to sign one of these two guys. I hope the alternative is just as good, but for the cost, I’m not sure how that happens.
the mets said they were also going to improve the club with trades. what SP or OF will they be interested in trading for?
they can sign two big free agents and still improve other areas with trades.
I can only think of Halladay, Webb, Harrang, and King Felix being available via trade. I think the M’s would listen but would not pull the trigger unless you are trading away an All-Star.
OF: Crawford, BJ Upton, Milton Bradley, and Erick Burns. Not too great of a list. If you trade for Crawford, you better get a slugging 1b. Since there are none in free agency, you would have to trade for one, and lose more minor league talent.
My fear is the bloom may be off the rose in regards to how players view the Mets. Sure, they have the opportunity of getting a big contract but then they see the results–2007, 2008, and this just concluded debacle. The point is if another team is offering similar cash with a better track record, then the Mets would likely get shut out. And if the Yankees are involved forget about it. It’s 14 out of 15 years to the playoffs vs. three times to the playoffs. If you were a player and wanted the most money and a chance to win, who would you pick, the Mets or Yankees? The only fly in that ointment could be pitcher friendly Citi Field vs. short porch Yankee Stadium.
Look, in 2005, all the sports pundit were measuring Beltran for Yankee pinstripes and we all know how that turned out.
In 2007, the pundits said Santana would be going to the Yankees or the Red Sox, and we all know how that turned out.
In 2008, the pundits said K-Rod would require a 5 year deal, and we all know how that turned out.
If Omar is good at anything, he’s good at getting FAs. The Wilpons have indicated that Omar will have whatever resources he needs this offseason. So if he can get Holliday, he will. If he can get Lackey, he will. I also believe Omar knows when to walk away from a bad FA signing (like Zito).
I know this was one of the worst seasons in recent Mets history, but let’s not get too down on the team. It is still a sold core of players when healthy and adding a big bat and a solid #2 starter would make the Mets contenders in 2010.
Lackey’s health is the one thing that kind of scares me from him. Matt, if the Mets don’t want to spend money on Holliday and Lackey then they should trade for Crawford if possible…. he will make a considerably lower salary than Matt Holliday will next year. Not to mention, he is MUCH better than all around player imo. Lackey and Crawford would be a nice off season. Also, I am worried about Holliday’s talent will translate to citi-field…. i know he is blue collar but im not really sure he is one of those TOP fa that is so gifted i would give a 5, 6 or even 7 year deal to which imo is what hell get.
Johan
Lackey
SHEETS!
Pelfrey
Perez
with Maine for insurance is nice.
It’s easy to fall in love with Lackey based on this postseason. Can’t help but love watching him pitch.
But, the Mets will be paying for what he’ll do in 2010, 2011, etc. Not what he did against the Yankees in 2009. And going forward, committing all that money to a pitcher who’s battled injuries two years in a row, scares me.
He’s missed 15 starts over the last two years (and pitchers don’t get healthier as they get older). His WHIP has gone up the last three years and his K/BB rate has gone down pretty substantially over that time.
I just think Holliday is a much safer bet.
The Mets will be taking a chance with Lackey… like the Yankees did with Burnett, who also is very injury prone. This is a chance the Mets NEED to take unless they trade for a legitmate number 2. Jason Marquis, Jon Garland, etc. are nice back end of the rotation guys but they wont solve the mets pitching problems.
I voted for Holliday, primarily for age and health reasons, but as a GM, I wouldn’t choose.
If the Wilpons asked me as a GM to decide which player I wanted of the two, I would ask them to decide whether or not they wanted to win, and to call me back when they were ready to win.
You acquire well-above-the-curve talent when it’s available, and you pass on the moderate priced mediocrity that floats around somewhere in the middle. You surround your true (and pricey) talent with affordable, high upside veterans and talented prospects.
When the Wilpons tell me that they are unwilling to spend premium money on two premium players, I remind them that we have two gaping holes to fill, and one player is only going to resolve half of that.
If we weren’t for overpaying replacement-level mediocrity like Perez, Castillo, Schneider, Redding, and Cora, you would have an additional 30 million to play with (in addition to the potential 25MM coming off the books in the form of Delgado, Putz, and Franceour).
Stop signing average players for big money. Start signing premium players for what they deserve. Penny-wise, pound foolish.
Wow that is one of the best posts I have ever read. COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU OLD BACKSTOP….. that is what the yankees do… only thing they can hide kei igawa, carl pavano, etc. when we cant
We can we just choose not to. You could cut castillo like many teams do with their high priced under-performing players (Sheff is a prime example, andrew jones is another). The mets continually put theirs out on the field, so to justify the cost.
Other then that i agree with Old Backstop. As i keep saying, SAC UP and pay the money and the fans will come and the investment will pay for itself.
I’m on the boat that thinks Perez isn’t a complete waste, and that he was the best option at the time he signed last year. Wolf had a wonderful season and would have been better in hindsight, but his track record was worse them ollie’s. Ollie if he stays healthy is a good pitcher, not great, and is a continual headache.
as to the comment Matt Cerrone made “…when you consider they have other holes to fill as well”
I agree there are some holes to fill (1st, 2nd, C) but at 1st you can leave Murphy if you get both guys. At 2nd you can leave castillo, though i’d rather anyone but him… and at C you can go CHEAP. You don’t need a 2Mil a year catcher. Fill in the bench with cheaper people from the farm and cheaper vets who want to be bench players. No need to spend 2 mil on the cora’s and tatis’s.
actually, not true.
The Mets cut Anderson, who isn’t exactly highly paid, but it’s still more than people expected.
Castillo was not under-performing talent. In fact, even in 2008 he was a better option than Argenis and Damien. And he’s not making ‘big money’.
Like it or not, there is a budget, even the Yankees have started considering money. You’re overrating Lackey, especially for what he’s going to get paid. Wolf is exactly that ‘average player’ that worked out. And there is not reason to not scout for someone like Wolf in the available pitchers. It doesn’t have to be a near-ace as people think, just a healthy guy that’s going to make 30+ starts and give the team a chance to win in almost every one of them.
You shouldn’t go cheap on the bench and C just for the sake of saving money. Get in a catcher that can work with the pitchers (since Warthen sucks) Maine, Perez, and Pelfrey look to be able to show significant improvement over what we had this year, but part of this is coaching and helping them learn. Warthen stunts Pelfrey’s growth.
Stock the bench with healthy, solid players that can both fill in adequately , hit a home run, steal a base, play smart, heads up baseball. Cora fits most of these, but if you replace him with a guy that has some pop, fine. Not failures like Valdez or Hernandez though.
well said…if you want to win, then do what is necessary, and what is necessary is Matt Holliday in LF for 2010 and John Lackey starting game 2 of the season for us.
Otherwise, we can try and find Omar’s supposed favorite kind of talent, the one that has upside, but never panned out, and needs a new chance (alla Oliver, Maine) but is never a gurantee and in this city and with this team and with our increasingly challenging divsion, I don’t want “what if” players.
Here, here. This is precisely why the Yankees dove in last year and won’t again anytime soon:
There was premium talent available at positions they had no internal fixes for.
There is no one in the Mets organization who projects as a 1A ace. If that guy is there, get him.
Similarly, there is no one in the organization who projects as a power-hitting LF.
What the Mets do is sign middle-tier guys nad they overhype guys like FMart or Holt to be comparable to Lackey or Holliday, which we all know they aren’t.
Make the right signings once, and you can always fill the gaps internally. Otherwise you are constantly chasing your tail.
Okay, first of all, we can get lackey or we can get halladay i like halladay better but as a lot of people have pointed out he will cost prospects, and lackey is a number 2 so he will fit in well with our rotation, either will be a serious upgrade over our rotation from last year. We have to pay him, it doesn’t matter that he may get hurt in the future, he’s the best FA out there to fill our need and we need to go after him. The Wilpons need to just pay him
Then you can sign Holliday, I like signing Crawford but the team has a power shortage (well they did last year, who knows how the power will go this year) and I am not sure if he’s the best option although he’s speedy and that fits in well with Citifield, again, both options would be an upgrade
Then the next hole is Catcher, we have Santos as a backup, he’s not bad, we need somebody on a cheap one year deal while Thole spends the year in AAA.
Then 1B, i wouldn’t sign any of the FA because they’d cost money and they aren’t that much better than Murphy, Murphy showed steady improvement when he began to play everyday so at 24 years old, i still have faith
What could work out, ideally, is we sign Holliday or acquire a power bat in LF (not sure how that happens, but still) and let murph play 1B. He can handle it defensively, he showed that, and hitting low in the lineup is not the end of the world nor does it ruin our lineup. But the big factor here is, then we don’t block Ike Davis. Who knows what he becomes, but letting Murph start the year at 1B gives us time to see 1) what Murph can do and if he is a viable future 1B and 2)Give Ike Davis time to develop and fight for a spot in ST 2011, or if things are going bad for Murph and/or Davis is ripping it up, he gets a chance late-season.
Sign Lackey and trade for Hawpe for LF and I’m happy.
This is one of those off-seasons i wish the team can come out and say ‘we have a 42 million dollar budget and we going to spend that on pitching and a corner of’er’.
I know they will never say anything like that, but it sure would settle me down.
The last thing I want to hear is ‘we are saving payroll in order to have flexibility at the trade deadline’. There won’t be any flexibilty at the deadline if the team doesn’t improve and resolve those two glaring holes.
I’m resigning myself to a sub-par hot stove season where some average signings are made and we place a ton of hope on the current crop of players.
Bummer.
The potential danger in this is if Bay agrees to go back to Boston and Holliday wants to be an Angel, and then you are stuck with guys like Abreu wanting 20MM of the 40MM you already claimed is ready and available.
Doesn’t make sense to show your hand prematurely. Better off going with the “we have money for the right players” approach.
Remind me again why we have to chose? The Mets play in NY their ticket prices are outrageously high and they have own their own TV network. Oh yea and that whole Idea that they lost money with Madoff apparently isn’t even true. There are no excuses. SIGN BOTH PLAYERS.
F it … I might even trade for Halladay too :)
Santana, Halladay, Lackey, Pelfrey, Maine
Reyes SS
Hudson 2B
Wright 3B
Beltran CF
Holliday LF
Franceour RF
Murphy 1B
Thole/Santos C
i would lose my mind with joy and happiness if this happened