It's nearly unheard of to make a big trade in April, and besides, it's not like the Mets expect Pedro Martinez to miss the entire season (although four-to-six weeks sounds optimistic, to echo what David Lennon wrote here). I don't see the Mets going after Jeff Weaver (concerns about he handled his time with the Yankees) or David Wells (not a fan of his work ethic).
So the Mets will think of low-cost, high-reward options to replace Pedro, and here's one possibility: Robinson Tejeda. The Rangers desginated Tejeda for assignment on March 30, so the Mets _ who have expressed interest in Tejeda in the past, according to an industry source _ shouldn't have to give up anyone of serious consequence. Maybe a lower-level prospect. Or, if they sense that no one else wants to trade for Tejeda, they could wait for Rangers GM Jon Daniels to put Tejeda on waivers and claim him (assuming no club with a worse record, which would get to choose prior to the Mets, wants him).
Tejeda pitched for Texas the past two seasons. This is a photo from 2005 with the Phillies, which I chose because 1) I think it's a cool photo and 2) It's a Newsday photo, which means I don't have to credit anyone at the bottom of this entry.
Look at Tejeda's numbers. His 2005 and 2006 weren't bad, which prompted the Rangers to give him a spot in their starting rotation last year. That proved a disaster, as Tejeda's mechanics blew up.
These are small sample sizes, all around, but we're talking about a small investment, not much more than minimum wage. If he bombs, the Mets can just let him go. In pitching coach Rick Peterson, the Mets have a guy who has proven pretty good on reclamation projects and mechanics. Tejeda throws a fastball that can touch the mid-90s, which alone is a reason to be interested.
I know, I'm making a mountain out of a relative molehill, but I am curious to see who helps fill the Pedro void.
Yes, Burnett is injury-prone, but look, there's no polite way to say this: Guys tend to play and pitch better _ and avoid the disabled list more _ when there's money on the line. Burnett can opt out of his contract after this season (he's got two years and $22 million through 2010, if he doesn't), and with an elite year, Burnett could earn himself a serious raise.
When you throw in that Burnett set a personal best for innings pitched (209) in his last walk year, 2005, and that Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi has publicly questioned the severity of Burnett's injuries, there is reason to think that this could be a "put-it-all-together" type of season for the hard-throwing right-hander.
Comments (15)
I love tha idea...He seems like exactly the same type of low risk high reward pickup as ollie and maine. If he works out he'd be under the teams control for several years along with maine freeing up some money to resign ollie. Plug Martinez into left and we have duque's money, Pedro's, Alou's. and Delgado's money to replace carlos and resign ollie. If tejada doesn't work, oh well.
Sounds like a realistic idea, and maybe the Mets can get one of those motivated/out-of-nowhere years the Yankees got out of Shawn Chacon. But it doesn't even have to end at Tejeda. They need to pick up as many options as they can find, throw them against the wall, and see what sticks.
And if they want a lefty who walks a ton and strikes out a ton, but would benefit from their big ballpark, maybe they should try and get Igawa from the Yanks, since they wanted him when he was posted.
Nice call. Tejada is definitely the type of pitcher Peterson has had success in turning around (good stuff, flawed mechanics, struggles with the mental aspect of pitching - this last one doesn't necessarily apply to Tejada, but Peterson has really helped Maine and Perez focus more from batter to batter.)
Good find Ken. What is there to lose? Even Sosa was a viable Met find. Let's face it, there is not much pitching out there and these reclamation products are cheap, safe ways to improve a staff (if you have a Peterson or Duncan as a pitching coach)
A.J. Burnett will be on the DL more than once. The Blue Jays offense is too righthanded with no lefthanded pop. Until further notice, the are 2nd tier team in the AL.
Hey Ken, You and Bill Madden are nuts for picking the Blue Jays ahead of the Yankees. They have no right to be pick ahead of the Yankees. The Blue Jays have not come close to making the playoffs the last 8 years.
Pedro wasn't a mistake...he only cost money....and being the Yanks, Mets, Sox is the same thing as having a license to print money....
Omar has very few bad contracts ....he got great pub and a changed attitude...both about how the Mets thought of themselves and how they are viewed...hey Bannister strained his hammy in 06 and was out til August...still,it's too early to say how Pedro will turn out...he's 36 not 46 and knows how to pitch...and he needs a new contract....Say what you want about Steinbrenner, he spent the money....including a lot more dead money than Wilpon ever spent....at least Omar has them spending, that's the Yank, Met, Sox competitive advantage so why not use it?
Rollo, that's a very fair way to look at it. I was trying to look at the Pedro deal more in a vacuum - "Was the investment worth it?" - but I certainly see where you're coming from with that.
Dennis - if I'm wrong at the end of the year on Toronto, I'll own up to it. I have no clue what the Blue Jays "not coming close to making the playoffs in 8 years" has to do with this year. The '06 Tigers made the World Series after posting 12 straight losing seasons.
Not sure the Mets really need to get Tejada, although it wouldn't be a bad idea. I'd rather see the Mets take a shot on their own young guys (i.e. Pelfrey or, better yet, Figueroa).
Ken,
Do you really believe AJ Burnett is the best #2 starter in baseball?
How about Haren? Pettitte? Smoltz or Hudson whichever is #2?
Carmona? Escobar? I'm taking any of them over Mr. Potential Burnett any day.
What did the Mets get for Bannister and why did they trade him? I know he was injured a good bit but he looked like he knew how to pitch when he was a Met.
Matt, in response to your questions: Yes, no, no, no (I say Hudson is the #2), no and no. Look at Burnett's numbers. When healthy, he is awesome. Obviously, he has been injured too often, but he has the best stuff of any of the guys you mentioned. The only one in that group who would be even close, for me, is Escobar, and his career might be over.
The Mets got Ambiorix Burgos for Bannister, continuing their philsophy of prioritizing power arms in the bullpen over (projected) back-of-the-rotation starters. Horrible trade, obviously.
I'd go with Weaver. The guy helped the Cards win the series just a year and a half ago.
Ken, not contending for the playoffs the last 8 years is a huge indicator that they wont do it again this year. The reason they haven't contended all those years is, bad play in some years, combined with excellence from the Red Sox and the Yankees. The past is certainly an indicator of the future.
Vernon Wells, AJ Burnett are two of the most inconsistant players in baseball. I love Halliday but its a very big stretch thinking that they're going to pick this year out of the blue to turn it around. They wont.
You're right Richie it's quite a stretch to think that a baseball team with good baseball players will be able to pick this year "out of the blue" to contend.
What they should do is pick a year like 1992 or 1993 out of the blue a play THAT season.
Richie, by that logic, how would any team EVER turn it around after a few years of not making the playoffs?