Why the Mets would pay him $56 million for 4 years boggles my mind. His labrum is 90% torn, and he can't go more than 100 pitches anymore, and don't even ask him to go on short rest.
Granted he is the best pitcher of the last decade, but at the age of 33, the game is slowly passing him by. IF he can stay healthy (Thats one big IF) he will still be good the next two years, but I think once we get into years 3 and 4 of the contract, it could be a different story.
How is he going to handle the New York media? As a Sox fan I was scared to death of him starting game 5 of the ALCS, because I thought he would absolutely blow it.
I will miss Pedro, but not that much. I think I will miss his little friend more though.
A question pops into mind: Since Anna Benson says that if Kris ever cheats on her she will sleep with everyone associated with the Mets. Does Pedro's little friend count too?
__________________
Quoth David Banner: "Like a pimp"
It's not a beer belly. It's a gas tank for a sax machine.
In 1999 he went 23-4 with a 2.07 ERA while striking out 313 in 213 innings. Or what about 2000 when he went 18-6 with a 1.74 ERA?
I would take the Pedro of those two seasons over Johnson, Maddux, and Clemens.
__________________
Quoth David Banner: "Like a pimp"
It's not a beer belly. It's a gas tank for a sax machine.
1994 Greg Maddox
202 Innings pitched - good season
35 EARNED RUNS...ALL YEAR
4 home runs
31 Walks
156 Strikeouts
ERA = 1.56
You don't have a more dominating season than that.
So he follows that year up with
1995
19-2
209 Innings pitched
38 Earned Runs
23 WALKS
181 STRIKEOUTS - LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS!
ERA = 1.63
For back to back years, those are the most dominant numbers I have EVER seen.
Of course two years later in 1996 when he went 19-4 and had an ERA of 2.20 and only walked 20 while striking out 177 wasn't bad either.
Pedro's stats from his prime years are as impressive...he went for 7 straight years with an ERA under 3 and 2 years under 2. Same as Maddox. His strikeouts are far higher though.
Just remember Maddox was blowing these dudes away throwing the ball only 90 miles an hour, compared with Pedro's 97.
Either way, they are both awesome...I just tend to think Maddox gets overlooked for exactly how dominant he really was.
and Randy Johnson winning 4 Cy Youngs wasn't really a fluke if you look up his numbers. 372 Strikeouts is quite a few when he only pitched 240 innings. Every inning he pitched ALL YEAR he had to average OVER 1.5 strikeouts.
THAT is truly unhittable
Location: Philly on one side, Pittsburgh on another, the Green Between...
Posts: 5,857
I'm a Sox fan, but at four years guaranteed, I am not sorry to see him go. Part of the deal is that he is now trying to say he won't take an MRI as part of the process. The Mets can have him.
I don't think Jaret will be anything special. Mazzone made him, so I think you see Jaret returning to his post Tommy John Pre Leo Mazzone phase.
Speaking of pitching coaches, it will be interesting to see how Pedro interacts with Rick Peterson. I think Peterson ranks right up there with Mazzone, and the A's inability to make the playoffs this year can be directed in some ways to Peterson's departure.
__________________
Quoth David Banner: "Like a pimp"
It's not a beer belly. It's a gas tank for a sax machine.
here's the thing about pedro and the mets. we all know that the mets have a great tendancy to destroy older players (30s) ex. mo vaugh, robby alomar, mike piazza-my money says that pedro doesnt last the season without multiple trips the the DL and i wouldn't be surprised to see him throw out his elbow or something and be done for the season. its the mets curse.
and the NY media will get the pedro.
__________________
"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
Pedro won't throw out his elbow, its his shoulder that will cause him trouble. Apparently an MRI of the shoulder is not going to be included in his physical so he can pass it.
BTW, Piazza is going back to catching full time. Therefore I put the over/under at 100 games, and for the time being take the under.
__________________
Quoth David Banner: "Like a pimp"
It's not a beer belly. It's a gas tank for a sax machine.
elbow, shoulder, arm-it's all the same to me [img]tongue.gif[/img]
i dont think piazza will last that long catching full time.
i heard that the deal was finalized and he did have the MRI.
__________________
"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
In a few minutes, I will step to the podium here at Shea Stadium to officially introduce Pedro Martinez as the newest member of your New York Mets. Before I do that, I wanted to send you a
quick note to share my thoughts on this acquisition.
I am thrilled that we have signed Pedro to a four-year deal, adding not only the best pitcher available in the free agent market, but also one who ranks among the best in the history
of the game. Pedro Martinez makes our entire pitching staff stronger, and our starting rotation will be among the best in the game. This is an important step in our plan to get our team
back to winning, and to our ultimate goal of a World Series championship for our fans.
Pedro's signing sends a powerful message about ownership's commitment to provide us the resources to bring championship-
caliber players to Shea. I believe his presence will also make us a more attractive team to other free agent players. His popularity transcends just the Dominican Republic or even all
of Latin America. He is a bona fide premium ace who will bring excitement and energy to our club.
I am confident in Pedro's physical condition. Yesterday afternoon, he passed an extensive physical exam by our team doctors at the Hospital for Special Surgery. This included a battery of diagnostic tests, including MRI's. Pedro is only
33 years old and will deliver plenty of quality pitching over the next four years. His former team was willing to commit to a major three-year contract and Pedro had guaranteed multi-
year offers of up to four-years from other clubs. In fact, after word of our possible deal got out on Monday, several clubs tried to get back into the mix with improved offers.
While we are excited about this announcement, efforts to improve our team will continue. We are working on a number of possible deals or signings that would boost our offense by filling spots
in the outfield and first base, while keeping to our overall philosophy that pitching-and-defense is the foundation of winning baseball. I will let you know about further good news as it happens.
Best wishes for a healthy and happy holiday.
We look forward to the New Year and the new season.
Sincerely,
Omar Minaya,
Executive Vice President & General Manager
__________________
"A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have."
Pitching and defense the foundation of winning baseball?
Oh, yeah, that's right, I forgot that the World Series champs had one of the best defenses ever assembled when they played in St. Louis:
1B -- David Ortiz, the agile sure-handed defender
CF -- Johnny Damon, who, believe it or not, once cracked 73mph on the radar gun (of course, it was a running throw, so take away 14mph for momentum)
LF -- Manny Ramirez, the blueprint of a perfect outfielder: quickness, agility, hands, and a natural instinct for taking proper routes to the ball
When the MVP award in the NL continues to go to a man who can no longer run at all, nor throw with any authority, I think it's clear what kind of value the league really places on defense.
Omar's quote: "Pitching and defense are the foundation of winning baseball".
Translation: "Our offense sucks, so hey, let's find something we can do well and tell everyone that it's the key to winning."
__________________ Megaloi -- My Blog
"Every society honors its live conformists and its dead troublemakers."
- Mignon McLaughlin
I know, I'm just saying that the idea that defense wins championships is hardly a proven philosophy in this era of baseball. And it's definitely hard to prove that defense rules in the outfield and first base, which are the holes the Mets are trying to fill.
Outfield defense is horrible in the majors -- I see better fundamentals in college games every year. But it doesn't keep guys from losing their roster spots if they can hit. And first base tends to become the place to dump a big, slow power hitter, and hope he doesn't hurt the team too much in the field. There are always exceptions (J.T. Snow, John Olerud), but overall defense seems like a much lower priority to most teams.
__________________ Megaloi -- My Blog
"Every society honors its live conformists and its dead troublemakers."
- Mignon McLaughlin
In a short series I would agree. But over the long haul pitching and defense will win more games than a potent offense. There are teams that are the exceptions (Red Sox, Yanks, Cards) but those will be short lived successes.
Unfortunately, in a short series big offense could close out another before they know what hit them. And those are the games everyone watches.
__________________
"A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have."
Exactly, with the widespread use of sabermetrics and Bill James, defense has become less and less of a priority. However, after going after OBP and power, the A's did finally start paying attention to defense. With the introduction of the "range factor" (I believe thats what it is called), which takes into account what balls player X should get to. That was one of the main reasons in the Mark Kotsay deal, because they got rid of Terrence Long (who's now with the Royals, damn it), a crappy defensive outfielder, and was able to replace him with Kotsay, who was known more for his glove than his offense, although that changed this year.
If the A's had made the playoffs, I think you would see an increase in importance of defense. However, with the Sox winning it with Ortiz at first, Bellhorn at second, Manny in left, and Millar sometimes in right, people will keep looking towards offense.
I don't feel that Damon is a horrible fielder, I actually think he is a great one, but his arm is very much a liability out there. It looks like he is shot putting the ball when he throws it.
__________________
Quoth David Banner: "Like a pimp"
It's not a beer belly. It's a gas tank for a sax machine.
Originally posted by nbjjku: Exactly, with the widespread use of sabermetrics and Bill James, defense has become less and less of a priority. However, after going after OBP and power, the A's did finally start paying attention to defense. With the introduction of the "range factor" (I believe thats what it is called), which takes into account what balls player X should get to. That was one of the main reasons in the Mark Kotsay deal, because they got rid of Terrence Long (who's now with the Royals, damn it), a crappy defensive outfielder, and was able to replace him with Kotsay, who was known more for his glove than his offense, although that changed this year.
If the A's had made the playoffs, I think you would see an increase in importance of defense. However, with the Sox winning it with Ortiz at first, Bellhorn at second, Manny in left, and Millar sometimes in right, people will keep looking towards offense.
I don't feel that Damon is a horrible fielder, I actually think he is a great one, but his arm is very much a liability out there. It looks like he is shot putting the ball when he throws it.
Great points. I would suggest any baseball fans in hear read "Moneyball" if you haven't already, Excellent book. Helps you understand how the A's can consistently make the playoffs with a 40M payroll and why the Red Sox can win it all when you have the cash to take it to the next level.
__________________
Motivation determines what you do...Attitude determines how well you do it
Huge Moneyball and Billy Beane fan. Maybe it's because I'm too young to know better, but I believe that stats tell the story. I wouldn't be surprised if every member of the Billy Beane tree goes on to win a title at some point.
__________________
Quoth David Banner: "Like a pimp"
It's not a beer belly. It's a gas tank for a sax machine.
Originally posted by nbjjku: Huge Moneyball and Billy Beane fan. Maybe it's because I'm too young to know better, but I believe that stats tell the story. I wouldn't be surprised if every member of the Billy Beane tree goes on to win a title at some point.
Stats can tell the whole story, however, only if you know how to read the numbers and know what numbers have meaning. After reading the book I also became huge Billy Beane fan. Even after playing baseball at the D1 level, I saw the game in a while new light.
__________________
Motivation determines what you do...Attitude determines how well you do it
I played at Western Kentucky. Had a total blast. I get even got to pitch against Luis Gongalez while he was at South Alabama.
Luckily I torn my UCL and never had it reconstructed, otherwise I may have bounced around the minors for who knows how long, never going any further. [img]tongue.gif[/img]
__________________
Motivation determines what you do...Attitude determines how well you do it
Linear Mode
