LAS VEGAS – Based on a number of reports and sources, Francisco Rodriguez will sign a three-year, $37 million dollar contract with the Mets tomorrow after a physical in New York.The Mets have seemingly reached this deal after two days of talk between the club and agent Paul Kinzer.”He’s a tremendously skilled closer,” said manager Jerry Manuel during his media session. “I was impressed with the energy he had when he came out and with that energy came confidence.”With Rodriguez, the Mets are signing one of the top closers in the game, who went 2-3 last year with a 2.24 ERA and a Major League record 62 saves for the Los Angeles Angels. Over his six year career, the righthander went 23-17 with a 2.35 ERA and 208 saves.

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Posted under Free Agency, Hot Stove, Nysd

A very interesting article in today’s Post. Joel Sherman writes that K-Rod registered a 1-2-3 inning only 29.2 percent of the time [Courtesy of Elias] and that’s a career low.  

The quote:

“Rodriguez registered 1-2-3 frames in a career-low 29.2 percent of his innings (all figures courtesy of Elias). That ranked 151st out of 253 pitchers who worked at least 60 innings in 2008. Fuentes (41.3) was 13th, Wood (38.1) was 28th, Street (38.0), even with diminished stuff, was 29th, and another free agent, Brandon Lyon (37.7) was 31st.”

Could be a red flag. That said, at the end of the day, I expect Brian Fuentes to be the Mets closer in 2009.

Posted under New York Mets

Rebuffed once before, Willie Randolph is one of the leading contenders for the vacant Milwaukee Brewers’ managerial position. Evidently, the Brewers place more weight on Randolph’s career winning percentage of .544 (302-253), which is the second highest in franchise history.

Randolph interviewed for the Brewers’ job in 2000 eventually going to Davey Lopes, now a Phillies’ coach.

Given a proper bullpen, I believe Randolph eventually would have been able to win with the Mets. He deserves a second chance.

Posted under New York Mets

Let me get this straight. Oliver Perez, an underachieving pitcher throughout his career, is a free agent after this season and is seeking a payday reportedly of $15 million a year times five. That’s $75 million. Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes out wanting more.

At his age, agent Scott Boras is likely to set the bar higher.

If I’m the Mets after last night, I tell him to take a hike.

Seriously, I don’t want Perez anymore. He’s been the “Bad Ollie,” the last month when the Mets needed him most. My feeling right now is it doesn’t matter who is the pitching coach, that Perez will always be like this.

Last night was one of eight games in which he walked five or more batters. That’s roughly 25 percent of his starts. If the Mets don’t make the playoffs, last night was Perez’s last start of the season for the Mets, and probably his last with the franchise.

It was fitting how he pitched, because last night is how he’ll be remembered.

Posted under New York Mets

What the Mets got last night from Johan Santana they’ll need tonight from Oliver Perez.

Perez hasn’t faced the Cubs since April 2005, and is 0-3 with a 5.74 ERA in his last five starts against Chicago.

Perez’s career has been one of hot-and-cold, and currently he’s been cool after a strong stretch. Perez (10-7, 4.10 ERA) has one win in his last seven starts. Over his last three starts, Perez has given up 12 earned runs on 18 hits and eight walks spanning 16 1/3 innings.

That said, do you want Perez back next year? I don’t know if he’ll be worth the money he’ll get, but is he worth the angst?

Posted under New York Mets