Escobar in Mets' stockings

[Fman99]

Rotoworld (forwarding news from a Latin news source) reporting the Mets inked former Angels hurler Kelvim Escobar to a minor league deal.

Didn't make it onto the field due to injuries in 2008 and 2009 but had a 3.40 ERA in 30 appearances in 2007.

I like it.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Confirmed by Sherman. According to both Sherman and Venezuelan reporter Francesco Blavia (who broke it), it's a one-year major-league deal.

Other details are as yet unconfirmed, although I hear there's a 17.5 million option for 2011 in there that vests if he survives until October.

[ashie62]

I like this...high reward/low risk

[soupcan]

Wait a second - The guy hasn't pitched in two years and he's got a $17.5 million option that vests?

$17.5? That's just a bit much, no?

He's gonna be 35 by then. Tell me that you were kidding or at least that you meant to write $1.75 million player option.

[metirish]

I think he's choking your turkey with that Soupcan

The Mets and right-hander Kelvim Escobar have agreed to a one-year, major-league contract, a person familiar with the situation confirmed. Escobar must pass a physical for the deal to become official.

Escobar, 33, has pitched just five major-league innings in the last two seasons, as he dealt with a major right shoulder injury. That the Mets are willing to guarantee money and a roster spot to Escobar reflects the hopes they have that Escobar can help set up for closer Francisco Rodriguez.

For the bulk of his career, Escobar has been regarded as having an electric arm. He has both started and relieved for Toronto and the Angels, with whom he spent the past six seasons. he has a 101-90 record with a 4.15 ERA, with 1,310 strikeouts and 611 walks in 1,507 innings pitched.

He missed all of 2008 while recovering from shoulder surgery, and this past season, he made a start June 6, lasting five innings, and then never returned.

[metirish]

Setup man to Frankie?.......

[ashie62]

Escobar had surgery on a torn labrum 03/2008

Pitched one inning in Venzuela 2 days ago, one K, 1 BB no runs

Thats all I found

[soupcan]

I think he's choking your turkey with that Soupcan[/quote:3ecrfht6]


Once again, I'm the 'doesn't get the joke' guy.

And we call it 'taking the piss' irish. Its about time you started get used to the slang we use around these parts.

[ashie62]

Never heard "taking the piss" verbally outside this board

[Fman99]

ESPN now reporting this deal also, 1.25 mil in guaranteed money and confirming Minaya's desire to put him in the pen.

Which, to me, is stupid. He went 18-7 his last full season as a starter... I know he came up as a swingman in Anaheim, but I'd think that the Mets could use him in the rotation more than as a set up guy.

[smg58]

In theory, Escobar's arm is more likely to hold up to 65 innings of bullpen work than 200 innings of starting. I don't know if it always works that way in practice.

I do know that it's easier to make a reliever out of a starter during the season than the other way around, so if they commit Escobar to the pen in the spring they'd better stick with it.

The contract does include some starters' incentives, so the Mets are keeping the door open at least.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Well, considering he hasn't really pitched in two years, they probably think that he won't be able to handle a starter's workload. (OE: what smiggy said.) Though, for me, I think nobody worked so hard last season as the various lambs that Jerry used as his setup men. (OE: what smiggy kinda sorta implied.)

[Guest attgig]

it's 1.25 guaranteed minor league deal with a 125,000 bonus for making the opening day major league roster....

pretty much, if he's in the pen, he's making 1.375. if he holds up through the end of the year, there's a $2mil bonus for # of games pitched. that makes it a 3.375 deal. more incentives on top of that... but, i'm thinking if he holds up, he's a 3.5 mil reliever...

[metirish]

Hetman says he passed the stringent workup by the Mets doctors .

1.25 million with bonuses that total $3.125 million

[MFS62]

Though, for me, I think nobody worked so hard last season as the various lambs that Jerry used as his setup men. (OE: what smiggy kinda sorta implied.)[/quote:2vhcazlb]

Agree. One of the things that make an effective reliever is the ability of the arm to bounce back after an appearance. And, as you said, based on how Manuel (ab)uses his relievers, I'd feel better if he were used as a starter, so his "healing" between appearances is more structured.

Later

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I like the Playboy channel too. But only for the news-feature segments.

http://www.myspace.com/kelvim

[ashie62]

Hetman says he passed the stringent workup by the Mets doctors .

1.25 million with bonuses that total $3.125 million[/quote:7vt9oug5]


The Mets Dr's cleared him? Oye..

Bard and DeRosa are off da market