Comments on: The Closer Conundrum http://www.blueandorange.net/?p=642 Hoping for a Miracle since 2005 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:54:03 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Chris Wilcox http://www.blueandorange.net/?p=642&cpage=1#comment-485513 Chris Wilcox Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:41:01 +0000 http://www.blueandorange.net/?p=642#comment-485513 I want no part of Bobby Jenks whatsoever. Right now, all a closer will cost the Mets is a draft pick in what's going to be a lousy draft and money (granted, money I'm not paying, but still, money). The White Sox are looking for premium prospects in return for Jenks, which is laughable in a market where there are no fewer than five guys with closer's experience available, plus guys like Juan Cruz, high strikeout relievers who could probably close if given the opportunity. Plus, Jenks is arbitration-eligible, so he won't even be particularly cheap. Ultimately, I don't think he's really a guy the Mets are interested in, but they will say that they are in order to drive the price of Fuentes and K-Rod down. As far as K-Rod vs. Fuentes, I am worried about K-Rod. Forget the save numbers for a minute - look at his peripherals. His strikeout numbers are trending downward. He should be entering his prime here, but his strikeout numbers are down and his velocity is down, and he's only 26. I'm starting to worry that he's going to be a lemon. Fuentes will likely be more willing to take a 3 year contract, will come cheaper, and has a better-than-average shot at out-performing K-Rod despite being younger. The more I think about this, the more I prefer Fuentes to K-Rod, and to be honest, I have a hunch the Mets do as well. I want no part of Bobby Jenks whatsoever. Right now, all a closer will cost the Mets is a draft pick in what’s going to be a lousy draft and money (granted, money I’m not paying, but still, money). The White Sox are looking for premium prospects in return for Jenks, which is laughable in a market where there are no fewer than five guys with closer’s experience available, plus guys like Juan Cruz, high strikeout relievers who could probably close if given the opportunity. Plus, Jenks is arbitration-eligible, so he won’t even be particularly cheap. Ultimately, I don’t think he’s really a guy the Mets are interested in, but they will say that they are in order to drive the price of Fuentes and K-Rod down.

As far as K-Rod vs. Fuentes, I am worried about K-Rod. Forget the save numbers for a minute – look at his peripherals. His strikeout numbers are trending downward. He should be entering his prime here, but his strikeout numbers are down and his velocity is down, and he’s only 26. I’m starting to worry that he’s going to be a lemon. Fuentes will likely be more willing to take a 3 year contract, will come cheaper, and has a better-than-average shot at out-performing K-Rod despite being younger. The more I think about this, the more I prefer Fuentes to K-Rod, and to be honest, I have a hunch the Mets do as well.

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