The mere words "Jose Conteras" evoke strong reactions everywhere, whether it's Cuba (fist-shaking), the Bronx (more fist-shaking), the South Side of Chicago (gratitude) or Boston (gratitude - that they never signed him). When you look at his career numbers, you confirm that the likeable righthander has only occasionally approached the hype that accompanied him into the big leagues.
Contreras lost his 11th game on Sunday, and his ERA jumped to 5.32. His velocity has dropped, and an industry source said that Contreras has experienced discomfort in the back of his shoulder. This discomfort is preventing him from full extension and therefore impacting his arm speed.
So. You want him, Mets fans?
The White Sox, having locked up Mark Buehrle, are open to trading Contreras, the pitching star of their 2005 World Series title winners. Contreras is signed through 2009; he's not a rental, which is what disinclined the Mets from making a heavy bid for Buehrle. I bet a reunion with Orlando Hernandez, his former teammate with the Yankees and White Sox, would help, and Rick Peterson makes nearly everyone better (although White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper is pretty good, too). And he would surely improve, like most, by facing National League lineups.
Drawbacks? A potentially serious injury, for starters. His career-long inconsistency. Is he afraid of New York? I'm not sure about that one. In his disappointing Yankees tenure, Contreras was dealing with a new country, a new language, the knowledge that his wife and daughters were still in Cuba (they're not anymore) and the Joe Torre-George Steinbrenner feud of 2003, nastiest of them all, in which Contreras was an essential pawn. That's a lot beyond your typical adjustment to the Yankees. He might be better equipped now to handle Shea Stadium's passion and scrutiny.
I think the Mets should seriously consider it, although they'd have to perform a physical examination of Contreras before signing off on the deal. Contreras has shown that, when right, he can carry a staff. And the Mets need someone to fill that role.
What do you think?
Comments (11)
Contreras may be happy to be reunited with El Duque, but the Mets already have enough pitchers over 40.
Too old, too ineffective, wouldn't want to give anything of value for him.
Personally, I wouldn't mind him over Pelfrey and Dave Williams. But he might be a big injury risk.
Forget it. He admits to being 35, which means he could easily be 40. In any event, if they pick him up, they've got him on the payroll until 2009 at least. Too much of a gamble.
What is the upside again? Maybe if Perez and Sosa hadn't come back, but I don't see Contreras replacing any of the present starters and he isn't a pitcher for the future.
Enough with the washed up tired old retreads. We need someone young and durable. We have enough talent to trade for a top of the line starter that we can control for a long time. The Marlins are just trying to up the cost for Willis. Or we could find a way to get some other top talent. But to be honest with you, I'm ok with our staff the way it is. We need someone who can hit lefties and balance the lineup the way Alou was supposed to. He was great for the 2 months he was healthy but we have to be kidding ourselves if we think he will contribut again this year. One of the few mistakes minaya has made in my opinion.
Jose sounds very much like damaged goods at this stage of the game.I believe that they should pass and look elsewhere
if his name is jose,you can count on omar making this deal.
jose isn't the way to go. get younger, the starters are already too old.
NO WAY SHOULD WE GO AFTER JOSE,HE IS TO OLD AND RUN DOWN,INJURY PROBLEM-BACK NOT WORTH ANYTHING,PLUS BY NEXT WEEK THE METS WILL HAVE 6 PITCHERS,WHIT PEDRO GOMING BACK,WE NEED ONE OTHER BAT,MAYBE DYE IF THE WHITE SOX DONT DO GOOD THE NEXT 2 WEEKS HE WILL BE IN THE MARKET.SO LETS GO METS
Please.....not another old player. But, I'm afraid Omar will make a play for him. We have enough old guys gimping around as it is.