Elster on Matsui From the Hot Stove 2005 Thread

[Elster88]

Matsui is going to hit .315 next year with 48 doubles. Mark it down.
_____________________________
AN ALMIGHTY 119) KEVIN ELSTER POST

[smg58]

But what if he doesn't spend the whole year in Norfolk?

[Guest abogdan]

Omar isn't done. Latest rumor in the Post: Benson and Bannister for Vazquez.

[Benjamin Grimm]

This hasn't been a typical offseason so far, and I guess the Marlins have a lot to do with it.

Usually the trades don't start happening until after the prominent free agents have signed. But the Mets have already made a deal with San Diego, and the Marlins now look like they've made two big ones.

[metirish]

I'd hate to see Anna Benson traded to Arizona, and especially for Vazquez, he's owed a lot of freaking money the next few years..

[Edgy MD]

Minaya needs to take a time out.

[Valadius]

Finish up with Nightcrawler first, Omar, please.

[seawolf17]

Hey, as long as Valadius gets one nickname out of this off-season, he's a happy man.

[Guest Rotblatt]

Vazquez is still being subsidized by the Yankees, so he's actually not that expensive.

I'll see if I can find out how much they're paying him then post it here . . .

[Elster88]

I would LOVE to have an effective player on the Mets and have part of the bill sent to the Bronx.
_____________________________
AN ALMIGHTY 119) KEVIN ELSTER POST

[Guest sharpie]

'Course if we get Vazquez it would wreck our "no-former-Yankees" quest.

[Elster88]

sharpie wrote: 'Course if we get Vazquez it would wreck our "no-former-Yankees" quest.

It would be beautiful for us to get a guy who was traded for an old man with a bad back and have him pitch lights out. It would also knock out some of those people who are all about the pressure of New York.
_____________________________
THE LAST ALMIGHTY 119) KEVIN ELSTER POST (until I reach 11,000). Until then, O greatest shortstop of all time.

[Guest Rotblatt]

Okay, so it looks like Vazquez is owed $23M over the next two years, BUT the Yankees are paying $6M of it. So basically, he'd be getting $8.5M per year. Benson is getting $7.5M per year and has $7.5M option for 2008 with a $.5M buyout.

Vazquez is two years younger. Neither have been particularly good lately but Vazquez would seem to have a much higher ceiling, having posted ERA+s of 135 & 154. Benson has never broke 120. Vazquez is much more of a strikeout pitcher and has better control. The only real advantage that Benson has is HR/9--0.98 to 1.22--and Vazquez should be able to get away with being a fly ball pitcher at Shea.

Vazquez has also been far more durable than Benson.

If we can get Vazquez for Benson & Bannister, I'd do that in a heartbeat.

[Elster88]

Excellent analysis, Rotty. I was thinking this but it's much easier to let someone else do the heavy lifting.

Edit: Wally Whitehurst was NOT more valuable to this franchise than Kevin Elster.
_____________________________
This post had the designation 118) Wally Whitehurst

[nymr83]

Elster88 wrote: Matsui is going to hit .315 next year with 48 doubles. Mark it down.

Hideki Matsui maybe

[Willets Point]

Right now, .255 with 10 doubles. He's got a ways to go in the closing weeks.