Francisco Rodriguez: By the numbers

Here are some numbers on the Mets new closer, Francisco Rodriguez.26: Age of K-Rod.

75: The number he will wear with the Mets. He used to wear 57, but Johan Santana already stakes claim to that. As I noted when he was signed, the most logical number for him to choose was 75. And he did.

37: Millions of dollars he will be paid over the next three years.

14: Millions of dollars the vesting option is worth for the fourth year.

62: Saves last year, the single season record.

7: Blown saves in 2008.

149: Saves over the last three seasons.

587: Career strikeouts.

23: Career wins.

17: Career loses.

2.35: Career ERA.

208: Career saves.

3: All Star experiences.

1: World Series ring.

91-94: General pitch speed range (mph).

451.7: Career innings pitched.

3.13: Postseason ERA.

.957: Career fielding percentage.

0: Career at bats.

1: Rich guy.

AP Photo

How about John Smoltz? [Updated]

I know I'll probably be crucified for this, but what about John Smoltz for the Mets?

Sure, the Mets need to get younger and Smoltz is 42-years-old. He won't be looking for more than a one-year deal, and has some veteran leadership the Mets will need in the bullpen.

He's also a lifetime Atlanta Brave, which would be weird.

Outside of injuries, age and price, what could go wrong?

Update - 12/10 3:19 pm: Per the Boston Globe:

Smoltz wants to pitch for a team that could take him to the World Series. He hopes that's Atlanta, but Smoltz is considering Boston, the New York Mets, and his hometown Detroit Tigers as possible destinations according to a major league source.

Playing hardball with the Braves, Smoltzy? I doubt he signs anywhere but Atlanta.

The article also notes Smoltz would like to be a starting pitcher in 2009.

Update - 7:56 pm: Via Steve Popper:

And on another note, there was a rumor reported earlier today that John Smoltz was interested in the Mets among a handful of other teams. And that would have been great for the Mets - except that according to what is reportedly Chipper Jones commenting on the blog of Atlanta Journal Constitution Braves beat writer Dave O'Brien, it isn't true at all.

Here's the response that Jones supposedly wrote:

By U Kno Who

December 10, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

Dave—I can honestly say that I do not remember. Lot of stuff going on during that final weekend. Give me something else for your proof.

But I will tell you, Smoltzie is a little irked with this report saying he’s considering the Mets. He’s not going anywhere, guys.

Weird stuff.

Nice planning, Omar & Co.

David Lennon gives us a few inside tidbits on the Francisco Rodriguez signing. Here's the best:

When K-Rod and his agent, Paul Kinzer, had dinner with the Mets on Sunday night, they were pleasantly surprised when the team executives got a call from Johan Santana, who had no idea they were meeting with Rodriguez. K-Rod, a fellow Venezuelan, idolizes Santana and was thrilled that he called. The Mets handed the phone to K-Rod and the two talked. In retrospect, it was a turning point as Santana expressed his excitement that K-Rod could be closing games for him. The Mets blew seven saves for Santana last season.

Right...

If you're telling me that Santana just happened to call up Omar Minaya at the exact time they just happened to be having dinner with a fellow Venezuelan who just happens to idolize Santana, that's some nice luck and timing on the Mets side. Was Johan asking for Minaya's favorite cake recipe or how to get a gravy stain out of his favorite dress shirt? I don't think so.

What most likely really happened is that they told Santana it would be in the best interest of the team if he gave Minaya a ring around this time, just to chat of course. Well planned, everyone. Very smart and very sneaky. Whatever works.

Please no Juan Pierre

Per Ken Rosenthal:

The idea is a longshot, but the Mets have shown interest in trading for Pierre, the Dodgers' forgotten outfielder.

To move Pierre, the Dodgers would need to assume a large chunk of his remaining salary — $10 million in 2009, $10 million in 2010 and $8.5 million in '11.

The Mets' preference in left field is for a right-handed hitter, and Pierre hits from the left side. Where he ranks on the team's list of possibilities is not known.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, are reluctant to move Pierre before knowing whether they will keep free-agent left fielder Manny Ramirez.

Honestly, I think I'd prefer Andruw Jones.

Just...no. That's all I have to say about that.

Exit Sandman, enter Sandungueoso

Here is Francisco Rodriguez's 9th inning warmup music. Enjoy.



(There is no video. Don't worry. It's just the song with a black screen.)

Jon Heyman has lost his mind

Just read this first paragraph from Jon Heyman about Manny Ramirez and the New York Yankees.

LAS VEGAS -- Yankees co-owner Hank Steinbrenner is said by people close to him to want Manny Ramirez in pinstripes. Unlike his father, who dreaded dreadlocks, Steinbrenner the junior is said by a Yankees person "not to give a (hoot) about his hair.''

Someone needs a nap or needs to lay off the cocktails.

Mets Rumor: Courting Chad Cordero?

Chad Cordero has long been an Omar Minaya favorite. The free agent, coming off of surgery on a torn labrum, will likely not be ready for the beginning of the season.

The Mets, Cardinals, Rangers, Tigers and Diamondbacks are five of the clubs Cordero plans to talk to. The Nationals, the team Cordero played for the last six years, are no longer in the mix.

According to the source, Cordero and his agent, Larry Reynolds, are planning to meet with Mets general manager Omar Minaya on Wednesday. The source didn't know when the other meetings were scheduled.

I have a feeling Omar will try his very best to sign him for roughly two years, if his arm is indeed all right.

Cordero could be the set up man the Mets are looking for, considering he also has a ton of closing experience and could be used in such situation if need be. Corder has notched 128 saves for the Expos/Nationals franchise since 2003.

Dan Graziano to leave The Star-Ledger

The leading baseball writer for my home paper is apparently leaving his post in a few weeks. Dan Graziano revealed in a recent online column that he will leave The Star-Ledger when 2008 expires.

If you're a subscriber to or follower of The Star-Ledger, you know things haven't been good there or anywhere else in the newspaper industry. You may or may not know or care that I'm leaving the paper at the end of the 2008 calendar year. (Yes, that's right. three weeks to go.) I have no idea what I'm doing next, but I'm hoping I won't disappear completely from your view or consciousness.

I've always read and enjoyed Graziano's work. He sometimes had a Yankees slant, but he was usually very objective and thorough. He was one of the first writers that got me into reading and following baseball at a somewhat obsessive level.

I will miss his work. Hopefully he starts up a blog or something.

The newspaper industry is tanking. I sure picked the right major.

My thoughts on the Francisco Rodriguez signing

Though this soap opera didn't take nearly as long as the Johan Santana courting of 2007-2008, the Mets and Francisco Rodriguez agreed to a three-year contract on Tuesday, much to the relief (get it?) of Mets fans.

My first thought: Well done, Omar Minaya.

Paul Kinzer, K-Rod's agent, had originally set the bar at five-years, $75 million. To get possibly the games best closer for three-years and $37 million (with a vesting option for a fourth year, worth $14 million) is a great job by Minaya & Co.

That makes it two years in a row he has gone out and landed his No. 1 free agent. Now if only the Mets could make the darn playoffs.

My second thought: The decreased velocity thing was overhyped.

How would you expect to sign a man coming off a year where he set the single season saves records for a lot less than he originally demanded? Make up stories about his arm.

Sure, it's a documented fact that he has lost a mile per hour or two off his fastball. Yes, he isn't throwing his slider as much as some may like. But he can still throw in the mid-90's consistently and has developed a changeup, which Torii Hunter called "The Equalizer."

If the Angels, or any other team for that matter, had wanted to sign K-Rod, they could leak a story about his arm and his velocity in a hope his price would come down and they could make a play for him. The Mets should find out today if everything is in working order, as Rodriguez is supposedly in New York (or en route) for his team physical before the signing is announced.

My third thought: Bring on the celebrations!

K-Rod is exciteable, there is no doubt about that. If you've never seen him celebrate a save, just wait until you see what he does after making that final out. There's screaming, fist pumping and great facial expressions, all while usually in the crouch position.

If you have a problem with Jose Reyes' celebrationg (I'm looking at you, Philadelphia) then prepare for a whole other level of anger. K-Rod is one of the more brash, in-your-face type players in the MLB. When he beats you, he'll let you know about it. I'm just glad this guy is pitching for my team.

Finally: Great signing.

Even though he's yet to throw a pitch for the Mets (and will likely be hurt by June with this teams luck) this is a great signing. Minaya filled his biggest hole with the biggest free agent in that market. And he really didn't overpay, no matter what anyone tells you.

Minaya is slowly putting together what could be the right team to make a run at the World Series. There are still a few screws missing from this current team, but he's getting around to it all. Eventually.

What's next for the Mets?

With Francisco Rodriguez in the fold, Omar Minaya has cleared the first hurdle this off-season. The next question is, what does he do next?

I would hope that his next signing or transaction would be for a starting pitcher. I'm more worried about the two gaping holes at the back of the Mets rotation as opposed to who is manning left field when we already have people that can do a semi-decent job out there.

Everyone keeps talking about Jon Garland being a fallback plan for the Mets. Why? He's not going to be the ace of your staff, so you can live with his ERA over 4.00 every year. Plus, he eats innings, logging 190 IP or more every year since 2002. The Mets may need to pay him a little more than they wish, but they can. Garland is actually near the top of my wish list for starting pitchers for the team to acquire.

Minaya seems infatuated with Raul Ibanez, and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being the next New York Met. I don't necesarily hate Ibanez, but in no way would I get excited about him playing in left next year. Yes, that would move Fernando Tatis back to the bench, but that would also force Daniel Murphy either to the bench as well, or back to the minors where he can at least get regular playing time.

The Mets continue to pursue Huston Street, though it seems that Aaron Heilman may not be included in a possible deal for the ex-A's closer. The team wants a set-up man who can also fill in at closer if need be. Street would be an excellent addition to the team, but it's unknown what the Mets would have to give up.

They had offered Heilman and Pedro Feliciano, but when the Rockies called back, Minaya had changed his mind. The Rox just signed lefty Alan Embree, so their need for Feliciano is probably diminished.

Back to the starting pitching market, I keep hearing conflicting reports about Derek Lowe. First the team is courting him, then he's too expensive and then back to "the Mets are considering Lowe." I think he's too expensive for the type of pitcher he is, and looking at what the Mets need, he may not be the best option.

Ken Davidoff believes the Mets should sign Oliver Perez. I wouldn't mind that. We know what he's capable of, but Scott Boras is going to demand the bank and more for his client and I think the Mets are unwilling to pay that much for the inconsistency of Perez.

Pedro Martinez's name continues to be brought up, but as I wrote last night, I believe the team is attempting to drum up buzz about it as an act of good faith.

Oh, and don't count on Manny Ramirez coming to the Mets, as I hinted at in Minaya's notebook. I give it about a 2 percent chance of happening.