Adam Rubin of the Daily News reports this morning that pitcher Nelson Figueroa will refuse an assignment to Triple-A Buffalo and become a free agent. The story here is that he was upset that the Mets designated him for assignment after his spot start on Sunday. Subsequently, he cleared waivers.
I can understand Figueroa being upset that the Mets started him and then immediately designated him for assignment. But the fact is that every team chose not to claim him on waivers. Even the Los Angeles Angels that are in the market for pitching right now didn’t claim him.
I think Figueroa is shooting himself in the foot with this move. Maybe he plans to pitch overseas or in an independant league. But that would virtually secure that he wouldn’t be in the major leagues this season. At least with Buffalo he has a chance to be back with the Mets at some point.


Starting pitching was the name of this game.
Jerry Manuel calls in from St. Louis to the WFAN Mike Francesa show. He talks for about 20 minutes on the main topics of the day that Mets fans have been complaining about: Daniel Murphy’s fielding problems, the corner outfielders, and the starting pitchers. He also addresses the baserunning problems that the Mets had last night in St. Louis. Listen below.
New York Mets (6-7 Road: 3-4) at St. Louis Cardinals (9-5 Home: 6-2) 8:15 pm