How many games will K-Rod finish next season?

[Guest Edgy DC]

The Second Spitter wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: Well ... Flood's case preceded the 1973 CBA. But more to the point, what the hell are you doing with a copy of the 1973 CBA, and where did you get it from? There was a grievance procedure with final arbitration also in the original CBA in '68. I have the whole set on my hd -- I once helped a SABR writer with research -- but I'm sure you can find them on the web. Check Doug Pappas' website. If not, I'm happy to send them to you.

I feel totally out-geeked.

[Guest The Second Spitter]

Edgy DC wrote: I feel totally out-geeked.

Because I did work for SABR?

[Guest Edgy DC]

Because you have a library with some items more esoteric than mine.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Anyway ... my new theory on "the option" is that it was Jeff's handiwork. Jeff was coming into his own as a COO, was eager to erase the memory of the Mets bullpen calamity of 2008, thought that the family's money grew on trees, and targeted K-Rod as the solution at any cost. This was how Jeffy was going to splash onto the scene and make his mark as a smooth baseball operator ... and hence the idiotic K-Rod contract. In this scenario, Minaya is the loyal soldier falling on his sword to insulate ownership from the blame and ridicule they'd otherwise deserve.

It's on Omar ultimately for making such dumb transactions in service of that mindset, but that's more or less been my take on that offseason for some time. It was easy to see even then Jeff leading with his chin in his remarks following the '08 collapse. More than once he suggested the solution to the Mets troubles would be "addition by subtraction" and he assured that Omar would be making as big a symbolic gesture as possible toward solving the Mets bullpen problems that offseason (ignoring the offense's culpability in that collapse as well).

Think about how much better off we might be now had Jeff done what he shoulda at that point and fired Omar/let Jerry walk/shut up/hire Alderson-DePodesta-Ricciardi.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Or had Omar signed 10 decent relievers instead of going nuts for two name-brand ones.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Around the majors � Francisco Rodriguez's agent, Paul Kinzer, said he plans to be vigilant about watching how the Mets handle K-Rod this season, considering his $17.5 million option that's triggered if he finished 55 games and the club's well-documented financial woes. People in the know don't see the Mets letting K-Rod finish too many games that aren't save situations, making it very unlikely he'll get to 55. Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jon_heyman/03/09/rockies-carlos-gonzalez/index.html#ixzz1GASAFOBZ

[Guest The Second Spitter]

I hope Paul Kinzer doesn't watch him too vigilantly, he may strain something.

The article does highlight one thing: it was wrong of us to assume that Frankie's option vesting would be a foregone conclusion, even under normal circumstances..

There really isn't a strong cause for complaint if the Mets limit his non-save appearances (which really means "non-save plus finish" appearances). In 2010, the Mets created 52 SVOpp and not all SVOpp resulted in GF. Therefore, I believe the Mets have some wiggle room.

As a comparative figure: In 2010, the Giants* created 73SVOpp; Brian Wilson finished with 53 SVOpp and 59 GF. (I don't recall Wilson spending extended periods of time on the DL last year.)

*I picked on the Giants not because they won the WS but because they have a similar (SVOpp/Win)% and Adjusted Save Effectiveness as the Mets (3 year averages). Also I consider Brian Wilson to be comparable pitcher to Frankie.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Rangers seek experienced closer if Feliz starts Lowe, Ogando in-house candidates if club can't find veteran By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com | 03/15/11 2:19 PM ET SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Rangers have not made the decision to move All-Star closer Neftali Feliz into the rotation. If they do, manager Ron Washington wants an experienced closer to take his place in the Rangers' bullpen. They do not have that pitcher in camp right now. "I have confidence in [general manager] Jon Daniels and our scouts that if that's the case, I'm 100 percent certain they can go out and find somebody," Washington said. Mark Lowe and Alexi Ogando are likely to be the leading candidates from within the organization to be the closer if the Rangers do move Feliz to the rotation. Neither has been a full-time closer at the big league level. "I feel confident in all our relievers, but we're talking about a closer," Washington said. "We have guys in the clubhouse that have closed games, but we need somebody who is a bona fide closer. If we don't have that, we'll find one." Feliz saved 40 games for the Rangers last year in helping them get to the World Series, but he came to camp as a candidate for the rotation. He has pitched well this spring, and he said Monday that he wants to be in the rotation. A week ago Feliz said he would be more comfortable remaining as the closer, but that apparently is not the case. His change of heart once again has the Rangers contemplating their options at the back end of the bullpen if Feliz does become a starter. "We're going to look at all our options," Daniels said. "We have a guy who we're comfortable with at the back end, but who may ultimately have an even bigger impact as a starter. We'll weigh that with our alternatives in the 'pen, our other young starters -- many of whom are showing signs of improvement -- and what's best for the club overall." The Rangers have discussed the possibility of Lowe being a closer. He has the combination of power pitches and Major League experience, and he did have three saves as a backup closer behind David Aardsma while with the Mariners in 2009. But he is also coming off back surgery that put him on the disabled list last year from May 5 to Sept. 28. Between the end of the regular season and the playoffs, he pitched in just five games for the Rangers after being acquired from the Mariners in July. He is healthy this spring but has allowed four runs, three earned, on six hits and two walks over five innings. "The ball is coming out of his hand free," Washington said. "He's getting on top of it and keeping it down in the zone. That will come. We know what Mark Lowe can do. At least he is healthy and free." Ogando is inexperienced but is almost right there with Feliz as far as stuff, talent and pure power. Ogando was 4-1 with a 1.30 ERA as a rookie with the Rangers, allowing 31 hits and striking out 39 in 41 2/3 innings over 44 games. Feliz pitched in 20 games and 31 innings in his first season for the Rangers in 2009. Despite his inexperience, the Rangers were willing to move him into the closer's role midway through April of last season when Frank Francisco struggled early. The difference, according to Washington, was the Rangers had a backup in Francisco in case Feliz struggled. In fact, the original plan was for Feliz to serve as interim closer until Francisco got his act together. Instead, Feliz just took off as closer and never gave it up. "It wasn't that easy to move him back to the seventh and eighth inning," Washington said. "But Francisco took a lot of pressure off Feliz. There were a lot of nights where he worked through the heart of the other team's order while Feliz was still getting his feet wet." Washington said the Rangers will figure out something if they can't acquire a closer. A trade might be difficult unless the Rangers were willing to take on salary. In that case, the Mets might be willing to talk about Francisco Rodriguez, the Dodgers about Jonathan Broxton and the Orioles about Mike Gonzalez. Rodriguez makes $13 million this year, and if he finishes 55 games, he has a $17 million option that automatically invests next season. In that regard, the Rangers might prefer to take their chances with somebody already in camp. "We'll make it work," Washington said. "There are some nights we might have two or three guys get us those three outs. We'll do what it takes. But as a manager, it's nice to know you have that one guy who can get you those three outs because he has done it before." Agonizing over it may end up being for nothing. Feliz might stay right where he is. That may prove the best course of action for a team loaded with rotation candidates and short on closer candidates. But Feliz has pitched nine innings and allowed one run on six hits and four walks. He has struck out nine. That's a pretty good line for a starting pitcher. "So far what we've seen reinforces our belief that he's capable of starting and potentially at a high level," Daniels said. "We also know he's important to the makeup of the bullpen, on a team that has high expectations. I wish we had two of him." T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields and follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

May be willing to talk? MAY BE WiLLING TO TALK?!

"What's that? You have a trade offer with the potential to save my boss's ownership of the team? Hold on. Let me check.... ."

"(One-two-three-four-five.)"

"You still there? Yeah, we'll take it."

[batmagadanleadoff]

DATE	METS GAMES PLAYED	GAMES K-ROD FINISHED	[ON PACE TO FINISH...
4/1/11	1	0	0

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

batgagadanleadoff -"How many games will K-Rod finish next season?"

Too many.

[batmagadanleadoff]

DATE	METS GAMES PLAYED	GAMES K-ROD FINISHED	ON PACE TO FINISH...
4/1/11	1	0	0
4/3/11	3	0	0

[Guest attgig]

he was given an opportunity to finish the game... instead, he gets the vulture win...

[Guest Edgy DC]

Given an excellent chance to throw Rodriguez a get-your-work-in ninth last night, Terry took a pass. I'm starting to suspect he's with the program.

[Guest The Second Spitter]

Yeah, his reasoning is based on the bad experiences he had with Troy Percival.

"I'm not going to let him go out there just to pitch an inning and jeopardize the game when I'm going to need him the next day,"

If he keeps it up, it won't be long before Frankie flips-out.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

With any luck, he socks Warthen. THEN we can void the contract.

[Frayed Knot]

He's currently on pace for zero games finished.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Since becoming a closer, up until this season, he's finished about 41% of his team's games. So if he resumes that pace starting tonight, he'll still finish 65 games.

Now, count the last four games in that pace, and it drops to 64 games.

We're still swimming upstream, is what I'm saying.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Assuming a full 162 game slate, he has to finish one third of all games, plus one more. So yeah, we probably are still swimming upsteam: this 0 for four streak hasn't put a real dent in K-Rod's chances. Blowouts, high leverage situational appearances (i.e., more non 9th inning apps) and the Mets falling out of contention will.

[HahnSolo]

I'll believe a manager using the closer in a high leverage non-ninth inning situation when I see it.

[Centerfield]

I texted him pics of Dominican food late at night when he was in Florida but it didn't work.

I think you guys should help me with this.

[G-Fafif]

Centerfield wrote: I texted him pics of Dominican food late at night when he was in Florida but it didn't work.

Yo estoy Venezuelan. And I know from room service.

[Guest themetfairy]

Centerfield wrote: I texted him pics of Dominican food late at night when he was in Florida but it didn't work. I think you guys should help me with this.

ROFL - Brilliant

[Guest Edgy DC]

Rodriguez warming up for dry run finish tonight. One more reason to rally.

[batmagadanleadoff]

DATE	METS GAMES PLAYED	GAMES K-ROD FINISHED	ON PACE TO FINISH...
4/1/11	1	0	0
4/3/11	3	0	0
4/6/11	5	1	32*

4/6/11 The Mets squander K-Rod's blown save/finish of a few days ago by giving him back a gimme (8th inning appearance, 3 runs down on the road. Sigh.)




*Remainders are always lopped off and never rounded up to the nearest whole number.

[Frayed Knot]

Is pitching the bottom of the 8th in a game that never has a bottom of the 9th considered "finishing" a game?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Last pitcher to pitch for his team in a game, no matter the circumstances.

[Vic Sage]

down 3 in the 8th, and you bring in your closer? i don't think Collins got the memo.

[Gwreck]

Buchholz, Boyer and Beato had already pitched in the game.
Byrdak, Carrasco and Parnell each pitched ?1 inning yesterday.
Rodriguez last pitched on Saturday.

Who exactly should have pitched the eighth inning if not for Rodriguez? Keep in mind that the pitcher's spot had come up in the order and either Beato had to bat or a new pitcher had to come in the game.

The only possible situation I could envision would have been to use Rodriguez in the spot where Beato or perhaps Boyer had pitched. Is that what you would have preferred?

[batmagadanleadoff]

Gwreck wrote: The only possible situation I could envision would have been to use Rodriguez in the spot where Beato or perhaps Boyer had pitched. Is that what you would have preferred?

That's precisely what I was thinking of as it was happening. If it's a given that Beato and K-Rod are going to be the last two pitchers barring extra innings, why shouldn't K-Rod precede Beato, considering everything? And you know what I mean by everything.

[Gwreck]

Same thought crossed my mind as well but that would be a little obvious, no? Was there strategic merit to bringing in Rodriguez there? Or would it simply be indicative of a calculated attempt to deny Rodriguez the chance to meet an incentive clause?