Comments on: What They Need: New York Mets — Some Sort of Exorcism? Okay, or Pitching. http://umpbump.com/press/2008/11/15/what-they-need-new-york-mets-some-sort-of-excorcism-okay-or-pitching/ In-your-face baseball commentary Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:44:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Paul Moro http://umpbump.com/press/2008/11/15/what-they-need-new-york-mets-some-sort-of-excorcism-okay-or-pitching/comment-page-1/#comment-57446 Paul Moro Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:49:34 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/?p=3715#comment-57446 Doug, if you took a step back, I think you'll agree that the point of decline is different for every individual. Regardless of his age, it's clear that K-Rod's fastball is down to 92-94. Which wouldn't be such a big deal if his slider was still great but it's not. He's another guy whose reputation exceeds his actual skill. The typical age of decline is just a rule of thumb. Guys with such forceful motions like K-Rod are their own species. Regarding Sheets, his history is worse than you suggest. He's made 30 starts only once in the last four years. From 2005-2007, he made 22, 17, and 24. In his walk year, he starts 31. You can absolutely disagree with this assessment, but out of those four numbers, I'd be more skeptical of that 31 than the others. For a short incentive laden deal, Sheets would be a great value. But in a market where guys with his talents are getting 5-years at $15MM plus per year, it's a huge gamble that's probably not going to pay off. When healthy, he's one of the best. And I have no idea if he really is or will be. Doug, if you took a step back, I think you’ll agree that the point of decline is different for every individual. Regardless of his age, it’s clear that K-Rod’s fastball is down to 92-94. Which wouldn’t be such a big deal if his slider was still great but it’s not. He’s another guy whose reputation exceeds his actual skill. The typical age of decline is just a rule of thumb. Guys with such forceful motions like K-Rod are their own species.

Regarding Sheets, his history is worse than you suggest. He’s made 30 starts only once in the last four years. From 2005-2007, he made 22, 17, and 24. In his walk year, he starts 31. You can absolutely disagree with this assessment, but out of those four numbers, I’d be more skeptical of that 31 than the others. For a short incentive laden deal, Sheets would be a great value. But in a market where guys with his talents are getting 5-years at $15MM plus per year, it’s a huge gamble that’s probably not going to pay off. When healthy, he’s one of the best. And I have no idea if he really is or will be.

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]]> By: Doug http://umpbump.com/press/2008/11/15/what-they-need-new-york-mets-some-sort-of-excorcism-okay-or-pitching/comment-page-1/#comment-57443 Doug Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:38:47 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/?p=3715#comment-57443 Let me guess, Santana is declining as well right? Because that's what everyone was saying last off-season! Yet if the bullpen held onto half of his wins he would have another Cy Young on his shelf for this season. K-Rod is not declining at 27yrs old!!! And here is Ben Sheets injury history: * 2003 - bulging discs in his lower back, but these problems subsided in 2004.NO DL * 2005 - a series of inner ear infections - trip to the DL * 2006 - started season on the DL with with shoulder tendinitis. * 2007 - strained hamstring- DL trip in late August forced him to miss the rest of the regular season I would not call that injury prone! Let me guess, Santana is declining as well right? Because that’s what everyone was saying last off-season! Yet if the bullpen held onto half of his wins he would have another Cy Young on his shelf for this season. K-Rod is not declining at 27yrs old!!!

And here is Ben Sheets injury history:

* 2003 – bulging discs in his lower back, but these problems subsided in 2004.NO DL
* 2005 – a series of inner ear infections – trip to the DL
* 2006 – started season on the DL with with shoulder tendinitis.
* 2007 – strained hamstring- DL trip in late August forced him to miss the rest of the regular season

I would not call that injury prone!

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]]> By: Coley Ward http://umpbump.com/press/2008/11/15/what-they-need-new-york-mets-some-sort-of-excorcism-okay-or-pitching/comment-page-1/#comment-57442 Coley Ward Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:00:28 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/?p=3715#comment-57442 As a Phillies fan I'd like nothing more than to see the Mets sign Sheets and K-Rod. There's nothing like seeing the competition replace one injury-prone pitcher (Pedro) with another, and one aging closer (Wagner) with a declining one. As a Phillies fan I’d like nothing more than to see the Mets sign Sheets and K-Rod. There’s nothing like seeing the competition replace one injury-prone pitcher (Pedro) with another, and one aging closer (Wagner) with a declining one.

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]]> By: Doug http://umpbump.com/press/2008/11/15/what-they-need-new-york-mets-some-sort-of-excorcism-okay-or-pitching/comment-page-1/#comment-57438 Doug Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:18:14 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/?p=3715#comment-57438 Here is what I would like to see happen...sign SP Ben Sheets and Closer K-Rod, and replace the whole bullpen but Joe Smith! Here is what I would like to see happen…sign SP Ben Sheets and Closer K-Rod, and replace the whole bullpen but Joe Smith!

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