The deeper mysteries, however, center on David Wright’s lack of power and Mike Pelfrey’s regression from a promising 2008 season. After posting a dismal 5.03 ERA last season, the only dividend Pelfrey can offer is that he now comes cheap. The Mets picked up Pelfrey’s $500,000 option for next season, which means he’ll take a $2.4 million pay cut.
It’s hardly the trend line the Mets envisioned for Pelfrey when they made him a first-round draft pick in 2005. Back then he had a DNA to die for, including a moving 94-mph fastball that’s programmed to destroy right-handed hitters. You can’t teach that kind of late, heavy sink, which is why the Mets awarded Pelfrey a contract worth nearly $10 million before he’d ever thrown a pitch in the big leagues. - north jersey
According to Mike Silverman of the Boston Herald, free agent right-hander Pedro Martinez wants to pitch a full season in 2010.
According to Silverman, Martinez will "not voluntarily" repeat a short season similar to 2009. This echoes what Martinez's agent Fern Cuza told FOXSports.com last month. Martinez, 38, joined the Phillies in late July, compiling a 5-1 record, 3.63 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in nine starts. He also tossed three starts in the postseason, including two during the World Series. Martinez is sure to drum up some interest this winter, but due to concerns about his durability, he'll likely have to accept another incentive-laden contract
Raul Cassanova:
Ponce 8, Caguas 1 - Big league veteran Raul Casanova went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs as the Leones handed the Criollos their second straight loss. Orioles prospect Miguel Abreu added a two-run double and former Major Leaguer Juan Padilla allowed two hits over six innings of scoreless relief to improve to 3-0. Indians right-hander Jake Westbrook gave up one run on four hits over the first three frames in his second outing for Ponce
Ezequiel Carrera:
Ezequiel was acquired from the Mets in the big 12 player trade that also included J.J. Putz. Putz impersonated his name but Ezequiel won the Southern League batting crown hitting .337. He stole 27 bases but he was also caught stealing 13 times. His 59/62 walk to K ratio gave him excellent lead off hitter prospects. He tends to be more a slap hitter with only 18 of his 111 hits going for more than one base. He’s playing for Magallanes in the Venezuelan League and is hitting .272. - MWOB
Ben Sheets
When healthy, he is one of the top starters in MLB — an absolute ace. In addition to his lively 95+ MPH fastball and nearly unhittable, hard-breaking curve, Sheets is a bulldog, an intense competitor whose demeanor reminds one of Roger Clemens. Health, of course, is the major issue, as his career is pockmarked with elbow, shoulder, hamstring, and back injuries. If his elbow was the only problem, then signing him would be a no-brainer, since the surgery on his elbow flexor tendon was a success. But there’s still the back and the shoulder, which likely in turn caused the hamstring injury … and he’ll be 32 by the All-Star break.
Erik Bedard
Bedard is in the same class as Sheets and Harden when it comes to ace-like stuff, and he’s been the lead man on many staffs. But his issue is with his shoulder, and that’s a problem because unlike the elbow, the full recovery from shoulder surgery is an anomaly rather than a rule. Bedard has had two shoulder surgeries since the summer of 2008 (the first was to remove a cyst — not unlike John Maine’s). And he shares another similarity with Sheets and Harden in that he’s already had a major elbow injury — he had Tommy John surgery in 2002. So, like Harden, you have to suspect there is something inherently wrong with Bedard’s mechanics. The mechanical flaw plus the fact he’s coming off shoulder surgery makes him an extremely risky signing.
Justin Duchscherer
OK, he may not have ace-like stuff, but he’s shown enough to suggest he could be a borderline #2 — along the lines of a Derek Lowe. Duchscherer missed all of 2009 after elbow surgery, but is now healthy — physically, anyway. In addition to the arm problem, Duchscherer also had a bout with depression. Still, the soft-tossing righty was a two-time All-Star and went 10-8 with a 2.54 ERA and 0.995 WHIP through 22 starts in 2008. Considering that most pitchers make full, successful recoveries from Tommy John surgery, and that Duchscherer never relied on velocity to succeed, there is every reason to believe he can return to his All-Star form. - link
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