Could the Mets use Durham?

by Giant Fan in Singapore on Jul 21, 2007 2:32 AM PDT

Valentin broke his leg fouling off a pitch tonight. Despite his prolonged slump this year Durham would seemingly fit well, no?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270720119

This FanPost is reader-generated, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of McCovey Chronicles. If the author uses filler to achieve the minimum word requirement, a moderator may edit the FanPost for his or her own amusement.

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Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

Valentin was playing less and less as Gotay has been doing a great job for them since coming up from the minors, but I do think they might be interested in Durham. Next year at 8 million might be a concern for them though. The good thing is that Valentin has an option for next year that is based on him getting 400 atbats and he has no chance at that now, so they might have some interest in keeping Durham around. I still think that Lastings Milledge is going to be a good player, and he is the one I would ask for in any deal with the Mets.

Randy Messenger: "Let that fat bastard Fielder get in my way and I'll do to him what Todd Greene couldn't"

by rxmeister on Jul 21, 2007 6:44 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

The Giants like to back-weight contracts so as to essentially spend ahead of their earnings (or at least their budget).

Two problems can arise from that methodology.

First, if players' caliber of play declines over the contract, the team can easily wind up paying more than the player is actually worth in the later years of the contract.

Second, the first fact can make it VERY hard to trade a player without eating significant salary. (See Benitez, Armando.)

by sharksrog on Jul 22, 2007 12:19 AM PDT up reply actions

Exhibit A

Second, the first fact can make it VERY hard to trade a player without eating significant salary. (See Benitez, Armando.)

Barry Zito will be paid 10M for 2007 so he will still be owed 116M in the upcoming seasons.

by wilriv21 on Jul 22, 2007 12:24 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

Durham would be a great fit with the Mets and I think they will talk to the Giants about him. But I don't think they'll offer Milledge or even Gomez. They probably will want to dump Green on us. Durham plus a minor league relief prospect might snag Milledge from them because they (quite rightly) have some character concerns. If he ever became a decent ballplayer, he'd be as insufferable as Bonds and prone to off-the-field problems that would annoy the hell out of us.

by NearestNorwich on Jul 21, 2007 9:39 AM PDT reply actions

Insufferable as Bonds?

Could you clarify that a bit please? What make Bonds insufferable. Is it the constant sticking it to the media. Cause that's the exact opposite of insufferable that's awesome.

by awesomer @ McCovey Chronicles on Jul 21, 2007 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Insufferable as Bonds?

It's letting a friend sit in jail so that he can get a "record".

by NearestNorwich on Jul 21, 2007 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions

that does suck

but i think most of us have found a way to suffer it

WE FIGHT WARS! WE CHEAT ON SPOUSES! WE LISTEN TO THE STEVE MILLER BAND! BUT IF WE THROW OURSELVES INTO SOMETHING GLORIOUS AS BASEBALL ALL IS FORGIVEN!" -PECOTA

by nick @ McCovey Chronicles on Jul 21, 2007 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Insufferable as Bonds?

I'm sure his friend is being plenty compensated for it.

by awesomer @ McCovey Chronicles on Jul 21, 2007 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions

I doubt that

Apparently they are friends from way back so I doubt any quid pro quo going on. Think it is a buddy (Anderson) who thinks his buddy (Bonds) is being singled out and does not want him to go down because of what he did.

by wilriv21 on Jul 21, 2007 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: I doubt that

That and the fact that hes going to get hooked up when he gets out.

by SabeanSupporter on Jul 21, 2007 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Insufferable as Bonds?

Or perish the thought, cause Bonds is evil and the cause of all child molestation and wars in the world, maybe bonds did not take steroids and Anderson has nothing to give up.

by covenant on Jul 22, 2007 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Insert laugh track

maybe bonds did not take steroids and Anderson has nothing to give up.

Please call the "Tonight Show" and ask for Jay, I believe he is looking for comedy writers.

by wilriv21 on Jul 22, 2007 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Fantasies do come True....

SpiderPig, SpiderPig....

by Moggeee on Jul 26, 2007 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

I think Gotay will be their 2nd baseman full time now, I think Durham would be a better fit on an AL club that could split his time at 2nd and DH.

by Keenlow on Jul 21, 2007 9:55 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

Really, Gotay is not the answer for them and they know it. Yes, he's played well, but isn't an everyday player, yet. Not that Durham is great, but he very well could thrive in that lineup where he wouldn't be expected to hit 3rd, 4th (!) or 5th. Hopefully, they'd be willing to give something up for Durham. But the Mets may not be willing to give up much and Cleveland may be a better fit, so we don't have to take a lowball offer from the Mets.

The Fringe was right.

by nostocksjustbonds on Jul 21, 2007 10:20 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

Bye Bye Durham

Jack Mustachner

by The Thrill on Jul 21, 2007 10:43 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

The Mets would probably have more interest in Randy Winn as Milledge is really struggling and it doesn't look like Alou is coming back any time soon. Also a lefty to supplant Schoenweiss in the bullpen could be a possibility; maybe Taschner or Misch though I would be hesitant to trade either of those guys unless we got something pretty valuable in return.

by Keenlow on Jul 21, 2007 11:02 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

Actually Alou is back and on a minor league rehab assignment. He is supposed to be back on Tuesday. When you have Reyes, Wright, Beltran, Delgado, Alou, Green and Loduca in your lineup you wouldn't be so concerned about losing Jose Valentin. I would think the Mets would have to go on a losing streak between now and the deadline for them to panic, and I don't see that happening. If we were to hand them Durham for next to nothing to unload his salary for next year they might do it, but they're not giving up Lastings Milledge. Alou and Green are both free agents after this year and won't be back. They might trade Milledge, but only for a top pitcher. I don't think Matt Morris qualifies either.

Randy Messenger: "Let that fat bastard Fielder get in my way and I'll do to him what Todd Greene couldn't"

by rxmeister on Jul 21, 2007 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

I believe they said on TV today that Moises might be back on Tuesday. Of course they didn't specify WHICH Tuesday. :)

by sharksrog on Jul 22, 2007 12:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

I said that in my post. He went to Coney Island to play his last rehab game, and if he doesn't get hurt riding the roller coaster he will return when the Mets start their homestand on Tuesday.

Randy Messenger: "I may not be pretty, but look at that 1.96 ERA!!"

by rxmeister on Jul 22, 2007 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

I don't see us receiving Milledge for Durham, and I've heard that Gomez is pretty much untouchable. We could ask for 1B Mike Carp, and I'm also pretty interested in RHP Joe Smith, who has put up some very impressive numbers in the Bigs this year (2.87 ERA, 36 K, 19 BB, 36 H in 37.2 IP).

Brian Anderson: generic name, unique talent.

by JT Jordan on Jul 21, 2007 11:09 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

I believe Joe Smith was their number one draft pick last year and he's already in the major leagues. They're extremely high on him and since they're concerned with their bullpen, there is no chance he will be dealt. The Mets actually have a crappy minor league system and there's not alot there of interest. Like I said, they would probably love to have Durham if it's just a salary dump, and the Giants really don't want a high level prospect in return. I think Durham is worth more than that, so I don't see a match here.

Randy Messenger: "Let that fat bastard Fielder get in my way and I'll do to him what Todd Greene couldn't"

by rxmeister on Jul 21, 2007 12:51 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

A crappy minor league system? You mean besides Martinez (one of the top five at least prospects in all of baseball), Carlos Gomez, Pelfrey, Humber, etc?

Barry Zito: Mike Hampton with a guitar

by JakeS on Jul 21, 2007 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

You mean the Mike Pelfrey who is 0-7 with a 6.12 ERA on a first place team?? Oh yeah, he's awesome. By the way, you put that etc. in there really fast because you quickly ran out of names. I know in your world only Brian Sabean can assemble a crappy minor league system.

Randy Messenger: "I may not be pretty, but look at that 1.96 ERA!!"

by rxmeister on Jul 21, 2007 6:24 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

It's not looking good for Pelfrey, but I wouldn't give up on him yet.

by Dan from NM on Jul 21, 2007 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

Yes, you've seen right through my intentions. Time to put your voodoo doll next to Sabean's. * eye roll *

Barry Zito: Mike Hampton with a guitar

by JakeS on Jul 21, 2007 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

Pelfrey is one of the game's best pitching prospects. Don't belittle his potential because he's hit a rough patch in the Major Leagues, he's easily better than any of our pitching prospects not in the Majors.

All of those names mentioned are prospects that are better than ours. The Mets actually don't have as bad a system as you think they do; they're ranked 13th by Baseball America, while we're 20th.

Brian Anderson: generic name, unique talent.

by JT Jordan on Jul 21, 2007 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

Wow, 21 through 30 must be in some shape.

by Mike Benjamin Hit King on Jul 21, 2007 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

Our list includes Lincecum I imagine, which pretty well carries it.

Barry Zito: Mike Hampton with a guitar

by JakeS on Jul 21, 2007 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

Pelfrey is not good, I don't care how highly he is rated. I've seen almost all of his starts this year, and he simply doesn't have good stuff. The names that Jake mentioned ARE highly regarded, but their system is not deep. Rival GM's ask for those names, Lastings Milledge and nobody else. I'm surprised they are ranked 13th, I would think that is based on some system that GM's don't follow, because we continually read in the NY papers that rival GM's don't like the Mets prospects.

Randy Messenger: "I may not be pretty, but look at that 1.96 ERA!!"

by rxmeister on Jul 22, 2007 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

So, it doesn't mean anything that Baseball America and scouts nationwide have nothing but praise for Pelfrey? He's "not good" because he was overmatched at the Majors when he first broke in?

Hard sinker that goes from 92-97, solid changeup and developing an 87 mph slider, with a 6'7" frame . . .yeah, let's just all say he's "not good" and "doesn't have good stuff" because you say so. all those poor starts simply mean he isn't big league ready, not that he isn't any good.

That's like saying "Angel Villalona is not good, I don't care how highly he is rated. He simply cannot field and hasn't hit a HR every other AB." These kids are young, and Pelfrey is very projectable.

Brian Anderson: generic name, unique talent.

by JT Jordan on Jul 22, 2007 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Could the Mets use Durham?

The Meta are a GOOD team. Maybe that answers the question.

by Whipping Boy on Jul 21, 2007 9:31 PM PDT reply actions

Now that's Italian

My personal favorites are the Angela.

by Moggeee on Jul 22, 2007 12:33 AM PDT up reply actions

You are in top form, Rufus

by wilriv21 on Jul 22, 2007 12:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Now that's Italian

or the Gianta. Which is Latin for pig shit.

"I'm an old blowhard who has the only opinion that matters and you're stupid" -- I'm E and I endorse this message.

by E Ticket on Jul 22, 2007 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Now that's Italian

You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little fucked up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to fuckin' amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?

Just trying to keep the ball down.

by Whipping Boy on Jul 22, 2007 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions