The Ninth in Twelve

[Edgy MD]

This isn't about who you want (although you're welcome to share that also), but who you think. Who do you think the Mets are going to look to as their primary game-ender in 2012?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I could see the Mets giving Bell a try, not that I'm even a little bit interested in some other team's closer.

I kinda like the idea of taking some other team's Mike Pelfrey, heck maybe even our team's Mike Pelfrey, and setting him loose in the pen. That is, a starter with a good arm but so-so results who'd come cheap and have less to think about. That is, Braden Looper in 2004.

[Edgy MD]

That's a good "other." Think they'll go for it?

Matt Capps' butt:

[Guest attgig]

I think that while they'll try to get a closer, acosta ends up winning the job.

[metirish]

I voted for Bell only because I didn't want to vote "other" , but you know look at Madson and how his role has constantly changed with the Phillies and I could easily see Acosta closing games here.

[Edgy MD]

That's the attitude.

I want the job filled in house. (I don't necessarily even think they need an overhaul in the pen.)

I think they'll go outside.

I fear the notion that they may go outside too big. Again.

[Ceetar]

Based on Sandy's comments I don't think they're going for Bell/Madsen/named closer.

I don't think this decision will be made until March 15th.

I think Bob P. is the favorite right now, so I voted for him. But I think they're going to bring in a couple of relievers they like to compete for the job and win pen spots. Ultimately I think Terry may lean towards the familiarity of Parnell unless one of those new guys looks absolutely amazing.

[metirish]

Ceetar wrote: Based on Sandy's comments I don't think they're going for Bell/Madsen/named closer. I don't think this decision will be made until March 15th. I think Bob P. is the favorite right now, so I voted for him. But I think they're going to bring in a couple of relievers they like to compete for the job and win pen spots. Ultimately I think Terry may lean towards the familiarity of Parnell unless one of those new guys looks absolutely amazing.

Parnell really?, everything I came away with towards the end of the season regarding Bobby was that the brain trust was not all that enamoured with him.

[Ceetar]

I'm not sure the 'brain trust' is enamored with him, but I don't think they've soured on him either, and I expect he'll be on the roster.

Sandy will not be picking the closer. Terry will. I don't think he's necessarily down on him, and if Bobby shows up in Spring and works hard and looks good, I think that'll go a long way in Collins eye.

[bmfc1]

I think Bell, although I read somewhere that his K/9 ratio dropped a lot this year.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Bell's awash in red flags-- severe drop in K/9 (down to 7.32 versus 10s and 11s of the previous half-decade) with no accompanying decline in BB%, unsustainably low BABIP, rising LD%. Steer clear, please.

Parnell made a bit of a bum's rush-- emphasis on "bum"-- at the end, with the new knuckle-curvy thing. For what it was worth, t'was apparently effective, at least according to surface stuff; he let up just five baserunners over 8 innings, with a 3.5 K/BB ratio in the last week-and-a-half of the season.

I think they bring in a cheapie-- Capps, or Dotel, or someone in the neighborhood-- to compete with him, with the loser serving in setup.

[Frayed Knot]

I would be shocked, SHOCKED, if they went out this winter after a high-priced FA closer.

[Edgy MD]

Well, the meaning of high-priced is relative, but I'll be disappointed by any commitment that's big enough that they will have to ride out a disappointing stretch rather than being flexible.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think Sandy is counting on the price of relievers this winter being a lot less than it was when the Mets signed Frankie Rodriguez a few years ago, at least partly because there will be a number to choose from. If that's the case, the Mets will probably be in on it. And if that doesn't prove true, then it will be Parnell or Acosta or somebody like that.

My guess: He'll pay up to $6 million for a closer. Is that high priced? I think so, but compared to what we've seen in the past, it could be considered relatively inexpensive.

[Vic Sage]

i vote for the Spanish Inquisition... because nobody expects them.

[TransMonk]

I REALLY hope we're not spending $6M on a new closer. This team has more important holes to fill, IMO.

I don't care who the closer is...especially since we have candidates within the organization.

[metirish]

TransMonk wrote: I REALLY hope we're not spending $6M on a new closer. This team has more important holes to fill, IMO. I don't care who the closer is...especially since we have candidates within the organization.

The way Alderson has addressed the issue of blown saves I would say he thinks having a good one is very important.

[Frayed Knot]

I'm not so sure the price has come down all that much.
Last winter a ton of set-up men went for fairly major bucks at 2 years or more.

Raphael Soriano -- 3 yrs - $35mil (and a 1st round draft pick)
Pedro Feliciano -- 2 yrs - $8mil
Jaoquin Benoit -- 3 yrs - $16mil
Bobby Jenks -- 2 yrs - $12mil (and barely pitched this year)
Scott Downs -- 3 yrs - $15mil
Grant Balfour -- 2 yrs - $8.1mil
Kevin Gregg -- 2 yrs - $10mil + option


Of course I doubt any of them had $17 mil vests, but they were still expensive anyway.

[TransMonk]

metirish wrote: TransMonk wrote: I REALLY hope we're not spending $6M on a new closer. This team has more important holes to fill, IMO. I don't care who the closer is...especially since we have candidates within the organization. The way Alderson has addressed the issue of blown saves I would say he thinks having a good one is very important.

I think having a shortstop/lead off man is very important. I think having a catcher and centerfielder that excel at either offense or defense is important. I think having another reliable starting pitcher is important.

Alderson has already given us what he believes our budget to be for next season and signing an established closer would be the last thing I'm looking to spend the limited money on.

Closer by committee is fine by me. I think that if other postitions aren't addressed first, there won't be many games to save. And, hey, if we really need an established one, there's usually one available via mid-season trade.

[RealityChuck]

There isn't a good solution to the situation. Use Acosa or Izzy, but I don't have much faith that would work for long.

[seawolf17]

Think we could get Joe Nathan on a low-end, 1 yr/$5 mil kind of deal as a stopgap/mentor to Parnell/whoever? That'd be awesome. He's 37 next month and coming off an injury-marred off year, so I have to assume he can't be thinking too huge.

(I can neither confirm or deny my relationship with Mr. Nathan at this time.)

[bmfc1]

I saw somewhere that Nathan may be available at a discount, so it's possible.

[Frayed Knot]

Nathan's got a $12.5mil option for next year.
I'd tend to think Minnesota will opt for the $2mil buyout rather than exercise that one so he may just be a flat-out FA.

[Vic Sage]

seawolf17 wrote: Think we could get Joe Nathan on a low-end, 1 yr/$5 mil kind of deal as a stopgap/mentor to Parnell/whoever? That'd be awesome. He's 37 next month and coming off an injury-marred off year, so I have to assume he can't be thinking too huge. (I can neither confirm or deny my relationship with Mr. Nathan at this time.)

stony brook alum. yeah!
Go seawolves! oh, wait... i think we were the Patriots back then.
Go Pats!

[metirish]

TransMonk wrote: TransMonk wrote: I REALLY hope we're not spending $6M on a new closer. This team has more important holes to fill, IMO. I don't care who the closer is...especially since we have candidates within the organization. The way Alderson has addressed the issue of blown saves I would say he thinks having a good one is very important. I think having a shortstop/lead off man is very important. I think having a catcher and centerfielder that excel at either offense or defense is important. I think having another reliable starting pitcher is important. Alderson has already given us what he believes our budget to be for next season and signing an established closer would be the last thing I'm looking to spend the limited money on. Closer by committee is fine by me. I think that if other postitions aren't addressed first, there won't be many games to save. And, hey, if we really need an established one, there's usually one available via mid-season trade.

How important is it for that SS/Lead off man to be clothed because you know um......


JJ Putz.....kidding