Yesterday, MLBPA leader Michael Weiner put his support behind Mets owner Fred Wilpon and family, saying that the group is committed to winning. Here's more on the club's financial situation and other news out of Queens..
- If Mike Pelfrey is hoping to ever to sign a significant long-term deal, he is going to need to show that he can pitch more consistently than he has in the past with the Mets, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The right-hander posted a 3.66 ERA with 3.0 K/9 and 5.0 BB/9 in 2010 but turned in a 4.74 ERA in 2011 with 4.9 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 last season. Pelfrey will be eligible for free agency after the 2013 season.
- C.J. Nitkowski threw a bullpen session with the Mets on Thursday and Sherman tweets that it went well. However, the two sides will have to reach agreement on how much he will make on the major league side of a deal and the Mets will have to find a spot for him in Triple-A if he needs to begin there (Twitter link). The left-hander last appeared in the majors in 2005.
- In a hearing this afternoon it was announced that they will begin seating a nine-person jury in the $386MM lawsuit against Mets owners on March 19, writes Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Rubin (via Twitter) notes that this means that a verdict in the case could come down right around Opening Day.
Matthew
Does anyone else find it somewhat dubious that a jury trial over $385 million lawsuit will be resolved in just ten days? I’m certainly no legal expert but from everything I ever remember don’t these trials tend to drag on for months?
Joveoak
It’s just like any other case, except that instead of dealing with $30, it’s an undefined amount. Some sources I have read have published this amount can be up to $385,000,000. Others, starting from $385,000,000.
In regards of whether it will drag down, it will drag down in regards to appeals from the defendants (in this case the Wilpons) or the prosecutors (in this case, again, Piccard et al) regardless on the outcome from this one trial (unless either party mentioned decides to accept the outcome in which case then it’s quick as you have stated).
petrie000
cases like this actually are resolved fairly quickly once a jury is seated. You don’t call a lot of witness or spend a lot of time arguing over evidence. Both sides just get a set time to lay out their case and then the Jury decides what, if anything, is owed.
Appeals could drag out the overall case for months yet, but the jury in this particular phase should render a verdict pretty quickly, so the Wilpons will know roughly what kind of penalty they’re facing by the start of the regular season.
Devon Henry
Pelfrey = Saunders = Nothing Special
Ryan
I have no idea why anyone would think he is remotely deserving of a “significant” long term deal. He is already 28, this is what he is. An up and down pitcher, who should get two year deal, at most. Anything more than that virtually guarantees that you will throw money away.
MisterBill 2
Because he has Scott Boras as an agent and he will convince at least one team that he’s worth the money.
AJV19
Pelfrey had a 5.0 K/9 and a 3.0 BB/9 not the other way around.
mattinglyfan
They have to decide on how much CJ Nitkowski would make on a major league deal? Seriously? He’s 39 years old and hasn’t had a good season since the 90s, it’s not exactly going to be in the millions.
Victor Kipp
ik lol… anyone in the Mets FO consider the league minimum…
Patrick Berger
“If Mike Pelfrey
is hoping to ever to sign a significant long-term deal, he is going to
need to show that he can pitch more consistently than he has in the past”
I read this and laughed because Mike Pelfrey is one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball over the last four seasons.
Mike Pelfrey, last four years:
2008: 200.2 IP, 9.4 H/9, 2.9 BB/9, 4.9 K/9, .5 HR/9 (good year: he was 13-11, 3.72 ERA)
2009: 184.1 IP, 10.4 H/9, 3.2 BB/9, 5.2 K/9, .9 HR/9 (bad year: he was 10-12, 5.03 ERA)
2010: 204 IP, 9.4 H/9, 3.0 BB/9, 5.0 K/9, .5 HR/9 (good year: he was 15-9, 3.66 ERA)
2011: 193.2 IP, 10.2 H/9, 3.0 BB/9, 4.9 SO/9, 1.0 HR/9 (bad year: he was 7-13, 4.74 ERA)
Consistency isn’t the problem. He’s very consistent. The fact that he’s mediocre is the problem. What’s he going to do this year? He’s going to throw 190-200 innings, walk three guys per 9 innings and strike out five guys per nine innings.
MisterBill 2
He’s consistently inconsistent. Hopefully he’s in line for a good season this year and the Mets can trade him for something decent in July.
BTW I thought he was going to be a free agent this year, not in 2013.
dylanp5030
Utley owns Mike Pelfry.
Infield Fly
That’s not much to brag about, buddy. EVERYBODY owns Mike Pelfrey!