2009 Analysis: Ken Takahashi
Ken Takahashi is the lefthanded version of Elmer Dessens: a well-traveled, international man of intrigue, with ordinary stuff, who won’t embarrass himself — but won’t have much of an impact on a championship club, either.
The Mets were in dire need of another lefthander for the Jerry Manuel Matchup Strategy of late innings management, but it turned out that the 40-year-old Japanese southpaw pitched better against righties (.156 batting average against) than vs. lefties (.302). That put a major wrench into Manuel’s plans, and made it difficult for the push-button manager to figure out how to use Takahashi.
In some ways, Takahashi resembles Darren Oliver — another lefthanded starter turned reliever who pitched better against righthanded hitters. In 2009, Takahashi’s role was stopgap — pitching for the big league club mainly by default — no other options were available. Will he be with the Mets come spring training in 2010? Not likely, but you never know with this organization.
Signed to a minor league deal during spring training, the 40-year-old rookie posted a 2.96 ERA and 23/14 K/BB ratio in 27 1/3 innings with the Mets while spending much of the year at Triple-A. He could latch on elsewhere as a long reliever, but may opt to finish his career back in Japan.
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&id=5697
Whew……glad we weren’t kidding ourselves with anything Takahashi-related, post-2009.
I was just posting what Rotoworld said about Takahashi – and I provided the link.
My comments are at the bottom of my post.
Takahashi was old; and NEVER anything special.
Upon his call-up in May/June — I remember saying on here, that if he made if past July on the roster…….it’d mean we’re in MAJOR trouble.
Turns out, we were in more trouble than any of us would ever have thought. Sayonara, Kenny!
Precisely what I thought when I updated this post with the latest news.