Multiple media sources are reporting that the Mets have signed former Milwaukee Brewer Claudio Vargas to a minor league contract. As I posted when Vargas was released by the Brewers, he was with Omar Minaya in Montreal and is a good risk as a substitute starting pitcher. With Pedro Martinez and El Duque both on the disabled list, it’s a good idea to stockpile some potential replacements. We’ll see one of them tomorrow night as Nelson Figueroa gets a start against the Brewers.
For those of you that don’t follow Mike’s Mets blog regularly you’re really missing out on something special. Currently Mike is doing a comprehensive review of Omar Minaya’s performance. It’s the kind of work that you’ll only find in the blogsphere. The mainstream media wouldn’t typically allow a writer to do a 10,000 word mini-novel dissecting the actions of a baseball general manager. The review is fair and written objectively. Do yourself a favor if you’re a Mets fan and read it here.
The biggest question mark for the New York Mets is starting pitching. There’s no denying that. Pedro Martinez, Orlando Hernandez, Mike Pelfrey, and the substitute starters are all sources of concern for fans, and I would guess the front office as well.
I’m sure that Nelson Figueroa is a good guy and obviously dedicated to the sport to move around the world in search of pitching jobs. But having to give him a start this early in the season is somewhat disconcerting for Mets fans. I hope he does a great job on Friday, needless to say.
That being said, Omar Minaya missed the boat with Kyle Lohse. This passage is from Sean Deveney of the Sporting News from today:
Any front office executives kicking themselves over the nice work turned in thus far by Cardinals RHP Kyle Lohse? Lohse threw five shutout innings in his first start, allowing just three hits, then followed that up with seven shutout innings Sunday against the Nationals. The Cardinals signed Lohse late in spring training for the low price of one year and $4.25 million. Don’t blame the Phillies, for whom Lohse pitched over the final two months of the 2007 season. They offered Lohse three years and $21 million early in the offseason, which he turned down. . . .
How badly could we use that kind of pitching right now? Lohse is one of those guys with good stuff that should be more successful than he is. His combined numbers between the Cincinnatti Reds and Philadelphia Phillies from last year are:
9-12 4.45ERA 192.2 innings 32 starts 2 CG 1 SHO 122 K’s 57 BB’s
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David Lennon of Newsday reports that Omar Minaya has been talking about a possible contract offer to former Brewers pitcher Claudio Vargas. Lennon reports that Vargas’ agent Brian Stringfellow had this to say:
“Omar, to his credit, has been very upfront with me and I appreciate the Mets’ candor,” Stringfellow said. “What I’m hearing from that situation, it just doesn’t jibe. I’m trying to get Claudio in the right situation, not a quick situation.”
Stringfellow sounds like he’s looking for the best scenario for Vargas to get a spot in the rotation. Vargas would probably only be a temporary solution for the Mets.
Apparently, Minaya is also looking at the Robinson Tejada who was recently designated for assignment by the Rangers. The scary thing about him is that the Rangers are giving up on his potential and they haven’t had decent pitching this decade.
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Source: WikipediaEl Duque got the start today and went five innings giving up 4 hits and one earned run. Mike Pelfrey finished the game going 3.2 innings giving up 6 hits and 3 earned runs. I guess Omar Minaya was right… if El Duque is healthy then he should get the fifth spot in the rotation. See the full game recap and box score here.
Source: Wikipedia“It’s El Duque if he’s ready.”
That’s what Minaya said when asked about the fifth starter. What? Where did that come from?
I guess it’s Orlando Hernandez by default. Maybe Mike Pelfrey will show something tomorrow in Ft. Lauderdale to change his mind.
Listen to the full Andrew Marchand interview here.
This morning the Toronto Blue Jays announced the release of Reed Johnson. It’s been reported over the last few weeks that Omar Minaya had spoken to the Blue Jays about a trade for Johnson or Shannon Stewart. The Jays just didn’t have room on their roster for both players. From Fox Sports:
“I don’t have any hard feelings,” Johnson said. “I don’t have much of a choice right now except to move on. It’s really all I can say.”
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Minaya doesn’t have to trade anything for Johnson now. He’s on waivers as of this morning. His current contract runs through the end of this season for $3.275 million. I’m surprised that J.P. Ricciardi wouldn’t have taken some minor leaguers from the Mets for him. He’s known as a pretty shrewd GM.Reed plays all three outfield positions and DH in the American League. Bill James has him listed as an excellent left fielder defensively. He ranks as the fourth best left fielder in baseball over the last three seasons behind only Scott Podsednik, Eric Byrnes, and Carl Crawford.
He only played in 79 games last year because of a herniated disk, and he throws right and bats right. He’s 31 years old and his career offensive stats are:
.281/.342/.410 42 HR 234 RBI 28 SB 16 CS 2083 AB 382 SO
I’ll be shocked if the Mets don’t pick him up off waivers considering the need for a right-handed bat to get through Moises Alou’s injury.
The Mets Report 