Luvofthegame
09-22-2006, 12:16 AM
New York Times
By BEN SHPIGEL
September 21, 2006
Until the playoffs begin and games around here start to matter again, all there is left to do is wait. A one-night-only reprieve came last night, when no one could have faulted the Mets’ front office for putting aside its grand October thoughts for just a few hours to peek ahead to next season.
Pitching for the Florida Marlins was none other than Dontrelle Willis, the electrifying 24-year-old left-hander, who — if he were made available this off-season — would shoot to the top of most teams’ wish lists. The Mets covet him for many reasons — his age, his talent, his service time — but, as highlighted last night, also because they would not have to continue watching Willis almost single-handedly defeat them.
Willis seems to save his best for New York, and last night he pitched eight and one-third innings, hit two home runs and added a run-scoring single in the Marlins’ 6-3 victory at Shea Stadium. All three of Willis’s home runs this season have come at Shea, where he is 5-0 in eight career starts. When he was removed in the ninth inning, after throwing 124 pitches, the fans behind the Marlins’ dugout gave him a standing ovation.
It is conceivable that the Mets and Marlins will talk this winter, but the Marlins are under no pressure to surrender Willis. Far away from free agency, he is under their control through the 2009 season. And considering how well — and quickly — the Marlins are developing their gifted young pitchers and a solid nucleus of position players, it is not far-fetched to say that Willis could lead that group to the postseason as soon as 2007.
But the Mets are built to win now, next season and beyond. In Willis, the Mets see another charismatic and marketable pitcher to complement Pedro Mart*nez and then take over for him when Mart*nez retires. Mart*nez said in Florida last month that he was stunned they were not already teammates.
“That’s a guy that I thought we would probably have on the other side by this time, but we didn’t,” Mart*nez said then. Like the Marlins, the Mets have a cluster of young pitchers, though none may be ready to assume greater responsibility next season, though there could be opportunity.
Tom Glavine will be 41 years old, and it is anyone’s guess whether the rest of Mart*nez’s career will be hampered by injuries. Steve Trachsel is unsigned. Victor Zambrano, recovering from major elbow surgery, is eligible for arbitration, and the Mets may not offer him a contract.
A quick glance at the Mets’ internal pitching options reveals a slew of candidates, and at least one, perhaps more, will emerge from that group. Mike Pelfrey, the prized prospect, will be expected to own a slot in the rotation. Brian Bannister, John Maine and Oliver Pérez, who allowed three runs in five and one-third innings last night, will almost certainly compete for a spot, as could Dave Williams. If Duaner Sánchez recovers from his shoulder injury and Guillermo Mota returns, the Mets may consider giving Aaron Heilman a chance to start again.
The Mets have most of their positions locked up for next year. They will try to upgrade at second base, perhaps by acquiring the Dodgers’ Julio Lugo, and must decide whether Lastings Milledge can handle being an everyday outfielder. But General Manager Omar Minaya values pitching more than anything, and he may elect to dangle Milledge as part of a package to lure a front-line starter like Willis if their pursuit of the free agents Jason Schmidt, Barry Zito or the Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka is unsuccessful.
A power pitcher like Schmidt would be an attractive addition to the staff, and the Mets could be more likely to go after him than Zito. Represented by Scott Boras, Zito comes with a huge price tag, more lucrative than the $55 million over five years A. J. Burnett received from Toronto, and the Mets are not keen on dishing out that kind of money.
Willis is eligible for arbitration and could earn more than $10 million. That is a hefty price, but the Mets may be willing to pay it because they know what they are getting. They were reminded last night.
By BEN SHPIGEL
September 21, 2006
Until the playoffs begin and games around here start to matter again, all there is left to do is wait. A one-night-only reprieve came last night, when no one could have faulted the Mets’ front office for putting aside its grand October thoughts for just a few hours to peek ahead to next season.
Pitching for the Florida Marlins was none other than Dontrelle Willis, the electrifying 24-year-old left-hander, who — if he were made available this off-season — would shoot to the top of most teams’ wish lists. The Mets covet him for many reasons — his age, his talent, his service time — but, as highlighted last night, also because they would not have to continue watching Willis almost single-handedly defeat them.
Willis seems to save his best for New York, and last night he pitched eight and one-third innings, hit two home runs and added a run-scoring single in the Marlins’ 6-3 victory at Shea Stadium. All three of Willis’s home runs this season have come at Shea, where he is 5-0 in eight career starts. When he was removed in the ninth inning, after throwing 124 pitches, the fans behind the Marlins’ dugout gave him a standing ovation.
It is conceivable that the Mets and Marlins will talk this winter, but the Marlins are under no pressure to surrender Willis. Far away from free agency, he is under their control through the 2009 season. And considering how well — and quickly — the Marlins are developing their gifted young pitchers and a solid nucleus of position players, it is not far-fetched to say that Willis could lead that group to the postseason as soon as 2007.
But the Mets are built to win now, next season and beyond. In Willis, the Mets see another charismatic and marketable pitcher to complement Pedro Mart*nez and then take over for him when Mart*nez retires. Mart*nez said in Florida last month that he was stunned they were not already teammates.
“That’s a guy that I thought we would probably have on the other side by this time, but we didn’t,” Mart*nez said then. Like the Marlins, the Mets have a cluster of young pitchers, though none may be ready to assume greater responsibility next season, though there could be opportunity.
Tom Glavine will be 41 years old, and it is anyone’s guess whether the rest of Mart*nez’s career will be hampered by injuries. Steve Trachsel is unsigned. Victor Zambrano, recovering from major elbow surgery, is eligible for arbitration, and the Mets may not offer him a contract.
A quick glance at the Mets’ internal pitching options reveals a slew of candidates, and at least one, perhaps more, will emerge from that group. Mike Pelfrey, the prized prospect, will be expected to own a slot in the rotation. Brian Bannister, John Maine and Oliver Pérez, who allowed three runs in five and one-third innings last night, will almost certainly compete for a spot, as could Dave Williams. If Duaner Sánchez recovers from his shoulder injury and Guillermo Mota returns, the Mets may consider giving Aaron Heilman a chance to start again.
The Mets have most of their positions locked up for next year. They will try to upgrade at second base, perhaps by acquiring the Dodgers’ Julio Lugo, and must decide whether Lastings Milledge can handle being an everyday outfielder. But General Manager Omar Minaya values pitching more than anything, and he may elect to dangle Milledge as part of a package to lure a front-line starter like Willis if their pursuit of the free agents Jason Schmidt, Barry Zito or the Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka is unsuccessful.
A power pitcher like Schmidt would be an attractive addition to the staff, and the Mets could be more likely to go after him than Zito. Represented by Scott Boras, Zito comes with a huge price tag, more lucrative than the $55 million over five years A. J. Burnett received from Toronto, and the Mets are not keen on dishing out that kind of money.
Willis is eligible for arbitration and could earn more than $10 million. That is a hefty price, but the Mets may be willing to pay it because they know what they are getting. They were reminded last night.