K-Rod Signs With Mets!

[Moot]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3756383

[filihok]

A bit more reasonable than 5/$75 eh

[Alloutwar]

More reasonable, affordable. Good, this bodes well for the market. I will not miss K-Rod in the AL!

[HoustonGM]

Yeah, this is a very reasonable contract. Nice signing by the Mets. I'm glad to see teams weren't overly infatuated with the saves record.

[filihok]

Yeah...this contract won't break the Mets near as much when K-Rod's arm falls apart in July 2010.

[dickay]

It's a shame his career is to be wasted as a closer. I think he'd be a top flight starter if ever converted. He's got multiple high quality pitches, and I actually think the consistent routine would be good for his arm. Oh well...nice signing regardless. The Mets have more work to do though.

[HoustonGM]

It's a shame his career is to be wasted as a closer. I think he'd be a top flight starter if ever converted. He's got multiple high quality pitches, and I actually think the consistent routine would be good for his arm.

He's got a scary delivery, small body, and has been a reliever his whole career. A move to the rotation at this point likely wouldn't work out well, particularly in the long run.

[gRYFYN1]

He's got a scary delivery, small body, and has been a reliever his whole career. A move to the rotation at this point likely wouldn't work out well, particularly in the long run.

what's scary about his delivery? I'd be interested in seeing it broken down.
I've seen that looks -as far as pitching mechanics- can be vastly decieving

Keep in mind the same ideas "scary delivery, small body" is why no one wanted to sign Tim Lincecum. and the opposite is why eveyone loved Mark Prior - well that didn't go over well .

While I agree the fact he hasn't been starter since he was 19 and in A ball (where he posted a 5.36 ERA/ 1.60 WHIP in 20 game) means a move to the rotation would more than likely end in disaster.

[metsguy234]

YEAHHHH! K-RoD! K-ROD! K-ROD! WE GOT HIM BABY!! WOOOHOOO!!!

[HoustonGM]

what's scary about his delivery? I'd be interested in seeing it broken down.
I've seen that looks -as far as pitching mechanics- can be vastly decieving

It's violent.

Keep in mind the same ideas "scary delivery, small body" is why no one wanted to sign Tim Lincecum. and the opposite is why eveyone loved Mark Prior - well that didn't go over well .

Lincecum's isn't "scary" as much as it is "different" which leads people to assume it's dangerous. There are many scouts that love Lincecum's delivery. All I've read about K-Rod's delivery is that it's violent (and that's what it looks like too). Such a delivery is fine for a reliever that throws in short bursts, but as a starter, there's no way he'd hold up, in my opinion, barring a significant change to his mechanics.

[gRYFYN1]

It's violent.


Lincecum's isn't "scary" as much as it is "different" which leads people to assume it's dangerous. There are many scouts that love Lincecum's delivery. All I've read about K-Rod's delivery is that it's violent (and that's what it looks like too). Such a delivery is fine for a reliever that throws in short bursts, but as a starter, there's no way he'd hold up, in my opinion, barring a significant change to his mechanics.

Yeah it seems that way, I was just saying that I, personally, have heard little about his delivery from anyone who would have a clue (Sportswriters and people on ESPN do NOT count) as to his pitching motion.

[dickay]

It's violent.


Lincecum's isn't "scary" as much as it is "different" which leads people to assume it's dangerous. There are many scouts that love Lincecum's delivery. All I've read about K-Rod's delivery is that it's violent (and that's what it looks like too). Such a delivery is fine for a reliever that throws in short bursts, but as a starter, there's no way he'd hold up, in my opinion, barring a significant change to his mechanics.

There are many people who have been labeled as having 'violent' deliveries yet were effective as starters. Pedro for one and he has the 'small frame' label attached.

Look, delivery IMO should not be a reason for keeping a guy in the pen. You yourself have referred to the value of a starter being much greater than a reliever. The guys been reported to have like four 'a' quality pitches which is something MOST starting pitchers can't even say. Sure a pitching coach may try to make some tweaks to his delivery but I don't think they'd try to change much other than building his arm strength up for the more innings. I'd convert him in a heartbeat.

[HoustonGM]

Look, delivery IMO should not be a reason for keeping a guy in the pen.

Well, years and years worths of scouts and coaches have disagreed, as violent delivery guys often get relegated to the pen.

You yourself have referred to the value of a starter being much greater than a reliever.

Correct, but, of course, it depends on the quality of the starter and/or the reliever. But, if a pitcher is better suited to the bullpen, that's where he belongs.

The guys been reported to have like four 'a' quality pitches which is something MOST starting pitchers can't even say.

I actually haven't heard this. I've heard about his fastball, slider, and change, with the fastball being good and the change being great and the slider being average. Of course, that's just what I remember hearing. Haven't looked this up.

Sure a pitching coach may try to make some tweaks to his delivery but I don't think they'd try to change much other than building his arm strength up for the more innings. I'd convert him in a heartbeat.

I'd keep him in the pen. Too many concerns, particularly in his declining peripheral stats and that he has no recent experience starting. The closer I'd convert to the rotation in a heartbeat would be Joakim Soria on the Royals.

[DarthJaker]

YEAHHHH! K-RoD! K-ROD! K-ROD! WE GOT HIM BABY!! WOOOHOOO!!!

**** you I wanted him

[Dwright5]

Billy who? Sure, K-rod has about the same number of blown saves in the last 3 years as Wagner. The difference is K-rod has about 40 more total saves! After the last two years nothing short of a Series appearance is acceptable. Get it done!