Sorry Angels fans...

K-Rod, Mets agree to preliminary contract - Baseball- nbcsports.msnbc.com

This fixes their weakest link from the last two years. Look out Philly!!!

 

This is not a shock. In fact, I predicted this at the end of the season. The Mets had the biggest need and the most $$$ to offer. The Angels never really pursued him. We better damn well get Tiexeria now!

Fine with me. Now the New York fans can have a heart attack during the 9th inning 60 times a year.

Good riddance.

 

You must not have seen too many Mets games. They blew about 30 saves last year. If they had won just a few of those, Philly wouldn't have won their division. I won't say that he is the greatest thing ever, but he definitely improves the Mets enough to win their division.

 

Frankie gets the job done. He has the most devastating breaking ball in the Major Leagues - bar none.

But this is what you have to look forward to.

1. The score is something like 5-3 when the top of the ninth comes around. The skipper decides to bring Frankie in.

2. Frankie charges in from the bullpen to some hip latin rap music and gets the crowd all pumped up.

3. You cheer along. But as an astute baseball fan, you also hold your breath because you know this isn't going to be easy.

4. Batter 1: The first pitch Frankie throws is in the dirt and most often will elude the catcher - going all the way to the back stop.

5. His next pitch won't be anywhere near the plate.

6. Then the next 3 pitches will be the most devastating stuff you have ever seen in your life making the batter look like he is swinging a sword. Strike 3 - 1 out.

7. Batter 2: The next 4 pitches won't be anywhere near the zone and the batter will walk. Frankie will mope around on the mound acting like he is going to commit suicide.

8. Batter 3: The next pitch will bounce 10 feet in front of the mound allowing the runner to advance into scoring position.

9. Seeing that first base is open, Frankie will see no reason to throw strikes to the batter and will walk him on 3 consecutive balls.

10. Batter 4: Frankie will promptly throw another wild pitch that will allow the tieing run into scoring position.

11. Then somehow - almost magically - Frankie will make the last 2 batters look like they just graduated from the 4th grade - striking them out with nary a thought about their manhood and dignity.

Game over.

And you will say to your friends, "I knew he would do that." While in your heart you are just thanking the baseball Gods that it wasn't J.D. Drew in game 3 of the '08 ALCS.

THE HORROR! THE HORROR!

 

Better than:

Nobody out bottom of the ninth, Mets up by two. Wagner comes in, walks the first two batters, then gets two outs, then gives up a three run homer to lose the game...

I then turn to my buddy and say: "I knew he would do that, the bum."

the agony, the agony...

 

Regardless, the Mets follies will continue. That's just the way it is.

 

As a Mets fan I hate this move. K-Rods arm is probably days from falling off. I would have rather signed Kerry wood for 2 years 20 mill then Krod for 3 years. In my mind i can see him pitching for half a season over 3 years.

 

I don't think that durability is an issue for Frankie. But I KNOW it is an issue for Wood. Since 2005 - the year Wood converted to closing games full-time - Frankie has pitched 275.9 innings. Wood has only managed to pitch 176.3 innings. Over that span, Frankie has averaged right around 65 innings per season - right in the league average for closers. So it's not like he has been throwing until his arm will fall off.

If durability is your main concern, Wood isn't the answer. Frankie brings a lot to the table for the Mets. Besides his numbers - which are unrivaled by any closer in the game - he has a lot of post-season and even World Series experience. Wood has none. With the addition of Frankie the Mets have a legitimate shot at the playoffs. The Mets blew 29 saves last year - only 3 teams blew more saves. This is a good move for the Mets. I am just bitter that the Angels couldn't keep him . . .

 

But his velocity is down, and I do not buy the he only brings it up to 96-98 when he needs too, as per his agent.

 

I have watched Frankie pitch every game for 4 years. Power isn't his game. His out-pitch isn't his fastball. He uses the fastball to set up that devistating slider. It is his slider that equalizes things. He doesn't need to throw that in the mid-90s. When he overthrows it is when he gets into trouble.

If there is any knock on Frankie it is a lack of focus. He sometimes lets the game conditions and surroundings get to him. I don't see his velocity being much of an issue at all.

I think this move makes the Mets the team to beat in the NL now.