Hi folks …
Took some time off, but back on line and looking forward to the Winter Meetings.
Actually, I’m looking forward to this whole Tom Glavine thing coming to an end. His agent said they’ll get it done prior to the Winter Meetings, but we shall see. He’s had more than enough time to make up his mind.
What I don’t like is the Mets losing Chad Bradford, who made a huge impact in the bullpen. This is a guy whose role grew more and more important as the season progressed and this is a hole that needs to be plugged. If it was a matter of giving him a third year, I don’t see why not. The guy has a rubber arm and always shows up. The Orioles are going to get him for three years for $10.5 million, which in the grand scheme of things is chump change for the Mets.
Truth be told, they needed to re-sign Bradford more than they needed to sign Moises Alou.
9 Comments
Hey John, you’re right I think they blew it with Bradford. I sure hope they aren’t going to go after that waste Mota.
im a big bradford fan,he was so clutch coming out of the bullpen,and suprisingly effective against lefties. with that being said,relievers are just so flukey.
Bottom line,im not in favor of giving a 3 year contract to a 32 yr old guy whos had back problems,and had back surgery as recently as a year ago. When it comes to the bullpen,if wagner,heilman,feliciano,and a healthy sanchez do what they do,we should be fine.
The rest of the bullpen can be filled with minor leaguers,non roster invitees,and maybe one of the surplus starters. Ive written way too much about this,ive gotta learn how to condense
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
dammit-now they have the yellow submarine?! ggrrr
tell omar i am upset with him.
Couldn’t disagre more John. Bradford is a middle reliever, a 6th or 7th inning man. These guys are 6th or 7th inning men b/c they aren’t consistent year to year, shoot most 8th inning guys are up and down from year to year. Chad was new to the NL and with his delivery benefitted greatly. However his numbers were up in the second half especially against lefties, which you have to assume would be likely to continue since most lefties eventually rake side arming righties.
3-years for a sidearming right handed specialist seems a tad excessive.
Guys …
They will miss Bradford, but you guys have a point, bullpens usually are patchwork. Even during their championship run when the Yankees relied heavily on their bullpen, there was a core group of guys and the rest was done by patching.
My feeling was that since the bullpen was so key last season it would have been beneficial to see it kept intact.
John,
I couldn’t agree with you more. He was key for Willie. 3 yrs @ $3m each? That’s easy. Considering that he worked in NY ( not easy ) and did well, you keep what you got.
I think it is a mistake to let him go.
As for those legit points about length of contract and injuries, I have seen many relievers who were signed by NY teams who ended up a bust. They were moved the following year because hope springs eternal and maybe a change of venue , etc.
Bottom line its not like signing Mo Vaughn or some hitter who breaks and then you can’t move them.
Dave
To Dave …
By not signing him the Mets just have to replace him, and you’re right about the New York factor. There’s no guarantee they’ll get anybody as productive.
I think the conventional wisdom is that it’s easier to catch the proverbial lightning in a bottle with any given middle reliever in any given season—but much more difficult to sustain that level of performance from that individual reliever from year to year.
Look at recent Met history: Bradford, Roberto Hernandez, Ricky Bottalico, Mark Guthrie, Grant Roberts.
What was the line from The Brady Bunch Johnny Bravo episode—If the shirt fits, you’re the new Johnny Bravo?
To Anon …
I don’t recall the line, but I like it. By the way, the point you make about consistency vs. lightning in a bottle is why the Mets don’t want to move Aaron Heilman out of the bullpen and into the rotation. They know what they have with him and aren’t going to risk losing it.