We should talk about Fernando Abad

[Mex17]

Another reliable lefty out of the pen would be helpful. Ricco spoke of perhaps adding up to two arms. Maybe Vargas and Abad for a combined $10 million is within reach?

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/abadfe01.shtml

[nymr83]

the walks are a little ugly, particularly against righties, as is the K-rate against righties. strictly a lefty specialist. i'd pass.

[metsmarathon]

i've got abad feeling about this...

[Edgy MD]

He's not the most consistent beast in the world, but he's been a pretty effective pitcher over his career.

Veteran relievers on one-year deals are almost always a workable plan, because they are disposable and buy you time to sort through your younger options, until somebody distinguishes himself. The problem is when you don't have enough players with options in the pen.

[nymr83]

metsmarathon wrote: i've got abad feeling about this...

I changed my mind. I failed to consider the funny headlines when he blows games.

[Frayed Knot]

And now that David Aardsma has officially retired and taken a job in the Toronto front office (he hadn't pitched in the majors since 2015 but, until now, hadn't given up the thought of it and was
working towards a return as an L.I. Duck in 2017) Abad, assuming he can land a job, takes over as the reigning ML'er at the front of the alphabet.
Aardsma climbed atop the all-time ML roster when he made his 2004 debut and nudged aside some guy named Hank Aaron who had held the "title" for a full half century at that point.



So, y'know, there's that.

[Edgy MD]

I always thought Aardsma could have done history a proper and legally changed his name to Ardsma.

[Frayed Knot]

There was something comforting about having Aaron as the lead man in the BB encyclopedia (even ahead of brother Tommie) AND as the lead man in the HR race.
He started the 21st century that way but now he's neither.

[Mex17]

Abad to the Phillies on a minor league contract. I would have done one year, $2 million on a major league contract.

So much for that.

It leaves the Mets with a little hole in the pen. Edgin and Smoker were not great, but they were there as options behind Blevins for a loogy out of the pen. As of now, no such secondary options exist.

[Mex17]

Better late than never.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/03/mets-sign-fernando-abad.html