Cowtipper

Alcantara is too Luis Severino-ish. Too up-and-down health wise and consistency wise. Even when he recovered from his early season struggles in 2025, he still wasn't GREAT, posting cumulative ERAs near 4. Let someone else have him.

We lost one Ryan many years ago, so this is our opportunity to get another good Ryan to replace the old one. Joe might be too good a pitcher for David Stearns, as he is still ascending, is mid-prime and has only improved these past few years, but should Stearns slip up and actually sign him, I could see him putting up 2024 Sean Manaea-type numbers.

He'd be good. The fact that 'so many' (three that I can think) pitchers of recent vintage went from being solid relievers to solid starters (King, Seth Lugo and Clay Holmes) indicates to me that there are many MORE pitchers being wasted in relief roles when they should very well be starting out there.

Shared the name of Danny Young, the Cubs pitcher Benny Agbayani hit the game-winning grand slam off of in 2000/2001 or whatever it was in Japan. That Danny Young died young just a couple years ago. He was one of two Youngs that did well for a while in 2024, the other being Alex, though in the long run I'd have preferred to keep Alex. I remember how Danny tanked later in '24 and totally undid all the good stuff earlier in the year - he had a 2.70 ERA through September 7, then a 18.69 ERA after that, bringing his season mark to 4.54.

I remember when he went away and came back in 2024.

I've paid my dues in high quality posts but I will support the future of this forum spiritually.

Start a private Reddit subreddit called r/cranepoolforum and invite only members here.

Getting someone a couple years removed from when they were actually good. That's the Mets MO. Sounds like Dellin Betances.

^^

Realistically, it's probably going to be Beltran this year, with a 50/50 chance for Jones.

Statistically, he vaguely reminds me of that fella Mike Adams from the 2000s and 2010s. The Mets also had Mike Adams once, giving up only Geremi Gonzalez to get him, though they let him go through waivers and he never pitched at the big league level for them.

I'll believe it when I see it. The Mets MO is usually to sign good players who haven't had an actual good year in two or three seasons, not while they're still actually good.

Jim Duckworth died. https://www.newsweek.com/sports/mlb/former-as-senators-pitcher-dies-11117208 Who was Jim Duckworth? James Raymond “Jim” Duckworth (1939–2025) was an American professional baseball pitcher whose career spanned eleven seasons, including four in Major League Baseball with the Washington Senators and Kansas City Athletics. A tall right-hander known for his strong strikeout ability but inconsistent control, Duckworth was originally signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1957 and later moved through several organizations before reaching the majors via the Senators’ 1962 Rule 5 draft. Duckworth debuted in 1963 and earned his first MLB win that May. His career included notable performances—such as striking out eight of the first nine batters he faced in a 1965 start and tallying 13 strikeouts in his next outing—but also struggles, reflected in his 7–25 career record and 5.26 ERA. His fear of flying once caused him to miss a road series, leading to a fine from the Senators. In 1966 he was traded twice between Washington and Kansas City before making his final major league appearance that July. He spent his last professional season in 1967 with the Hawaii Islanders. Following baseball, Duckworth served as an officer with the California Highway Patrol. He died in Fort Mill, South Carolina, in 2025 at the age of 86. Dave Morehead died. https://kingsofkauffman.com/royals-mourn-the-loss-of-original-franchise-pitcher-and-owner-of-a-no-hitter-01kayshnt80p Who was Dave Morehead? David Michael Morehead (1942–2025) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher best known for throwing a no-hitter for the Boston Red Sox on September 16, 1965. A right-hander from San Diego, Morehead debuted with the Red Sox in 1963, immediately joining their starting rotation and showing early promise with a shutout in his first game and a one-hitter a month later. Despite flashes of brilliance, Morehead’s career was marked by inconsistency and control issues, including league-leading walk totals in each of his first three seasons. His standout moment came in 1965, when he no-hit the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park—a rare pitching feat in a notoriously hitter-friendly stadium. Arm troubles limited his playing time from 1966 onward. Morehead was part of the Red Sox’s 1967 “Impossible Dream” pennant-winning team and pitched in relief during the World Series. Selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 1969 expansion draft, he spent two seasons with them, posting a career-best ERA in 1970 before injuries ended his career at age 28. Over eight seasons, Morehead compiled a 40–64 record with a 4.15 ERA and 627 strikeouts in just over 819 innings. He died in Santa Ana, California, in 2025 at the age of 83. Also, who was George Altman? George Altman (1933–2025) was an American professional baseball outfielder whose career uniquely bridged the Negro Leagues, Major League Baseball (MLB), and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, he overcame early hardship—including the loss of his mother at age four—and excelled academically and athletically at Tennessee A&I (now Tennessee State University), where he played both basketball and baseball. Altman began his pro career with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1955 before being signed by the Chicago Cubs. Debuting with the Cubs in 1959, he became one of the National League’s standout hitters in the early 1960s. A three-time All-Star (1961–62), he posted back-to-back elite seasons in 1961 and 1962, highlighted by 27 home runs, a league-leading 12 triples in 1961, and a .318 average with 22 homers in 1962. He was known for both power and speed, as well as strong defensive play in the outfield. After later stints with the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets, injuries and platoon roles diminished his MLB production, and he ended his major-league tenure with a .269 average, 101 home runs, and 403 RBIs over nine seasons. At age 35, Altman revitalized his career in Japan, playing eight highly successful seasons (1968–1975) with the Tokyo/Lotte Orions and the Hanshin Tigers. He became a major star abroad, hitting 205 home runs, batting .309, earning multiple Best Nine awards, and leading the Pacific League in hits, runs, and RBIs in 1968. Altman credited better training practices in Japan for extending his career, especially after he played much of his MLB time while injured. Outside baseball, he worked as a substitute teacher, survived colon cancer, later became a commodities trader, and eventually retired in Missouri, where he also competed in horseshoe pitching. He co-authored an autobiography in 2013. George Altman died on November 24, 2025, at the age of 92, remembered as a versatile, resilient, and pioneering athlete whose career spanned continents and eras—from the Negro Leagues to MLB to Japanese professional baseball.

The Mets had brought on a handful of relievers for the stretch run of 2025. Rogers on paper was the best, and with the Mets he was also the best. The biggest disappointment was Helsley. He had a 2.00 ERA over his final 8 outings, but the damage he did before that makes one forget his later success. His season ERA went from 3.00 to 4.50 because of his stay with the Mets. On the bright side, it doesn't look like the Mets sacrifice TOO much to get him. No fond memories of Helsley.

Weak ballot. First time in years I didn't have to do any strategery and could go for a straight 10. I'm a big Hall guy, but not sold yet on Buehrle, Braun, Utley or Pedroia. Edwin Encarnacion was one a dark horse guy I was watching, because he had a fair shot at 500 homers, but he collapsed and that was that. I went with Abreu Beltran Hunter Jones Pettitte Ramirez A-Rod F-Rod Rollins Vizquel

Mets sign pitcher. Nick Burdi. They've brought back Robert Stock, who pitched with them in the pitching carousel year of 2021. They signed minor league outfielder Jose Ramos.

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Jared Young has solid dark horse diamond in the rough potential, a la Scott Hairston.

His last name is funny when you take away the "i".

Tom Timmermann died. https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2025/11/17/tom-timmermann-death-tigers/87318727007/ Who was Tom Timmermann? Thomas Henry Timmermann (1940–2025) was an American right-handed pitcher who spent 15 years in professional baseball, including six seasons in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers (1969–1973) and Cleveland Indians (1973–1974). Born in Breese, Illinois, and raised on a prairie farm, he played college baseball at Southern Illinois University before signing with Detroit in 1960. He spent nearly a decade in the minor leagues, highlighted by a remarkable 1968 winter-league performance in Puerto Rico in which he tied a professional record by inducing 27 infield outs in a complete-game shutout. Timmermann debuted for the Tigers in 1969 and quickly became one of the American League’s top relievers. In 1970, he set a Detroit franchise record with 61 appearances, finished third in the league with 27 saves, and was voted Tiger of the Year, credited with transforming a previously struggling bullpen. He remained an important contributor for Detroit through 1972, shifting between relief and starting roles. Traded to Cleveland in 1973, Timmermann pitched as both a starter and reliever before concluding his MLB career in early 1974. Overall, he finished with a 35–35 record, 3.78 ERA, 35 saves, and 315 strikeouts across 228 major-league games. After retiring, he worked in industrial sales. Later in life, it became widely known that he was the biological father of MLB pitcher Phil Leftwich, whose son Luke Leftwich also became a professional pitcher. Timmermann died in Michigan on November 14, 2025, at age 85. Also, who was Bart Shirley? Barton Arvin “Bart” Shirley (1940–2025) was an American infielder whose professional baseball career spanned Major League Baseball, Nippon Professional Baseball, and extensive time in the minor leagues. Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, and a standout at the University of Texas, Shirley debuted in MLB with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1964. Over parts of four major-league seasons (1964, 1966–1968) with the Dodgers and New York Mets, he appeared in 75 games, batting .203 with 11 RBIs. Although his MLB tenure was brief, Shirley built a substantial minor-league legacy, playing a record 997 games for the Spokane Indians, the most in franchise history. After being selected by the Mets in the 1966 Rule V Draft but returning to the Dodgers mid-season, he saw his longest major-league action in 1968, though he struggled at the plate. Seeking new opportunities, Shirley spent 1971–1972 in Japan with the Chunichi Dragons, where he hit 15 home runs and drove in 79 runs across two seasons. Following his playing days, he managed in the Dodgers’ minor-league system from 1973 to 1975 and later worked as a coach in Japan. Shirley died in his hometown of Corpus Christi on November 19, 2025, at age 85 after a long illness. And who was Randy Jones? Randy Jones (1950–2025) was an American left-handed pitcher who became the San Diego Padres’ first true homegrown star and one of the most distinctive pitchers of the 1970s. Known as “Junkman,” Jones built his success not on velocity but on a uniquely heavy sinker, extraordinary control, and an uncanny ability to force hitters into weak ground balls. Drafted by the Padres in 1972, he rose quickly and broke out in 1975, going 20–12 with a National League–leading 2.24 ERA. The following year he delivered one of the most unusual and dominant pitching seasons in modern baseball, finishing 22–14 with a 2.74 ERA, 40 starts, 25 complete games, and 315.1 innings. During that run he set an NL record by throwing 68 straight innings without issuing a walk and became the Padres’ first Cy Young Award winner. He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a possible 30-game winner and starred in consecutive All-Star Games, recording the save in 1975 and starting—and winning—in 1976. His success made him a major attraction in San Diego, with his starts drawing some of the team’s biggest crowds. Jones’s career turned abruptly later in 1976 when he suffered a nerve injury in his pitching arm. Although he continued to pitch competitively through 1980 and later with the New York Mets in 1981–82, he never fully returned to his peak form. He retired with a 100–123 record and a 3.42 ERA, making him the only starting pitcher to win the Cy Young Award while ultimately finishing with a career losing record. Despite modest strikeout totals, he achieved lasting respect for his mastery of movement and location; Pete Rose, for example, hit only .183 against him. His achievements earned him induction into several halls of fame, including the Padres Hall of Fame and Chapman University’s Hall of Fame, and the Padres retired his No. 35 in recognition of his impact on the young franchise. Off the field, Jones married his high school sweetheart, Marie, and together they raised two daughters. After retiring from baseball, he became well known locally for his restaurants, his car wash business, and his enthusiastic service as a Padres ambassador. He remained a beloved figure in the community, organizing charity events such as the Randy Jones Run/Walk. In 2016 he survived a battle with throat cancer linked to years of chewing tobacco, and he remained active and visible in charitable work afterward. Randy Jones died on November 18, 2025, at the age of 75.

Longtime Met Travis Jankowski has retired from baseball and is now the Rangers first base coach.

Erik Swanson retired. David Fletcher has retired. The quietly very excellent Kyle Hendricks has retired. Travis Jankowski has retired. Max Stassi has retired. Fraser Ellard retired.

Anderson Severino, who made 6 relief appearances with the White Sox in 2022, that is. He did very well in Mexico last year. I've always thought teams should scour Mexico and indy ball a tad more. The Mets do fairly well with indy ball, but managing a 2.60 ERA in Mexico is an astounding feat considering the thin air and the league ERA is near 6.

This is Shirley a loss the Mets family will have a hard time recovering from. Honestly always thought he was a pitcher.

Good crew. Means I'm getting old since guys I watched in my teens are being elected now.