Cutnpaste: - Mike Pelfrey, Project Mets, Octavio Dotel, Tim Teufel, and Middle Infield



Mack Ade

 Mike Pelfrey:



2011 Projection - I think it’s fair to say 2010 was a step forward in Pelfrey’s progress. The question for 2011 is, will he continue to improve, or has he established a baseline for the rest of his career? Considering his raw skillset, I’d like to believe that Pelfrey will continue to improve. Whether he progresses, however, will have much to do with his confidence – which, of course, is directly tied to his success. I sincerely believe that if Pelfrey can work out his mechanical inconsistencies, and stick to a strict program that enables him to repeat his delivery, the sky is the limit. A consistent delivery will allow him to command his sinker and change-up / forkball low in the zone, and continue development of his curve. With total command of those three pitches, Mike Pelfrey could be an ace.


metstoday

Project Mets:


For now, however, it is Sandy Alderson’s mission to fix the on-field Mets for the Wilpons. In a polling of three baseball execs, this is going to entail eating money, a lot of it. Said one: “Sandy is going to have to figure out a way to rid the Mets of (Carlos) Beltran, (Ollie) Perez and Rodriguez. Of the three, I would think Beltran would be the easiest to move since he’s in his walk year and figures to have a comeback season to warrant another contract.” Said another: “What Fred and Jeff (Wilpon) have to understand is the money on Beltran and, to a lesser degree, Perez, is already spent. It’s gone. They need to cut their losses, eat what they have to, to at least get something of value back for these guys.” Said the third exec: “Rodriguez and Perez are toxic players for the Mets. Nevertheless, there are teams that are going to need closers and, if the Mets are willing to eat substantial money, they can probably get a decent return for Rodriguez. Perez is always going to be viewed as a project for teams and maybe he has run out of teams willing to take him on. Either way, he’s unsalvageable for the Mets and they can’t go into next season with him still on the roster.”


BTF  

Octavio Dotel:


A team signing Octavio Dotel knows they are getting two things: a whole bunch of strikeouts and far too many walks. Over the last three years, Dotel has compiled 193 innings in relief with 11.3 strikeouts per nine and 4.5 walks per nine for a K/BB of just 2.5. It’s better than league average, but in 2010 the walks climbed and the strikeouts dipped ever so slightly, which shouldn’t be a surprise since we’re talking about a 36-year-old. Dotel’s velocity has dropped with age, and he now sits under 92 mph with his fastball, which is still his pitch of choice. At his age, with his occasional home-run issues and constant control problems, Dotel won’t get anything outside of a one-year offer, and it will probably be from a team on the bubble or a non-contender that plans to flip him at midseason to one of those bubble teams. He is a Type-B free agent for a reason, despite a long history of impressive strikeout totals


BP  





Mack Ade

 Tim Teufel:


The Mets' managerial search returns to New York Tuesday, when GM Sandy Alderson will begin another series of meetings with candidates. The team has not yet made a schedule public, but sources say Texas hitting coach Clint Hurdle, former Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu, Double-A Binghamton manager Tim Teufel and Triple-A Buffalo manager Ken Oberkfell are expected to interview.


NYDN  


The Mets will interview Tim Teufel for the managers job, meaning once again, Teufel and Wally Backman are competing for time with the Mets. Maybe Tim can manage against lefties and Wally against righties. If the Mets do hire Teufel, I hope they can get Jim Gott as a pitching coach, or at least tempt Jesus Montero away from the Yankees


baseballmusings  





Mack Ade

 Middle Infield:



Given Jose Reyes' physical fragility, Ruben Tejada's offensive inefficiencies, and the likelihood that Luis Castillo will not be with the team, the Mets might consider adding a middle infielder who can play everyday at either middle infield position if the need arose.



Orlando Hudson would be a nice addition, but we're guessing he's going to fall outside the Mets' price range, again. The cheaper alternative could be someone of the David Eckstein ilk.



ESPN