Sonnanstine and Corpas Off the Table
The Chicago Cubs have signed free agent pitchers Andy Sonnanstine and Manny Corpas to minor league contracts, inviting both to spring training.
While I don’t believe either of them would have turned the Mets into a contender, I’m mildly surprised that neither wound up with an invitation to Port St. Lucie. To me they seemed to fit into the low-risk, low-cost, low- to medium-reward strategy that the Mets appear to be using in their scale-down phase of history.
As we discussed a few weeks back, the Mets are in dire need of starting rotation depth, and Sonnanstine was one of the lowest-cost options available. He’s no Greg Maddux, but Sonnanstine does have experience and could have been helpful either stashed in AAA or slotted as a long man / spot starter. Who knows, with a good spring and a few breaks he might even have taken the #5 spot. I think a move to the NL will help the righthander, particularly in the first half of the season during his first go-around the league.
As for Corpas, he’s never been a starter but he has had success as a reliever — including both as a setup man and a closer. He missed all of 2011 after Tommy John surgery and by all reports is back to nearly 100% health. Before his injury, Corpas threw a heavy 91-93 MPH sinker, wicked slider, and a decent change-up; he was more of a groundball guy but did get some swings and misses with the slider. In his career, Corpas has had his ups and downs — more downs than ups, actually — but again, he would have come cheap, he has some experience, and he would have provided the Mets depth in a place where they need some (the bullpen). Though, maybe Sandy Alderson has chosen to scrap the “sign pitchers coming off surgery” strategy since it wasn’t too productive last winter.
What’s your thought? Would you have liked to have seen the Mets sign either of these pitchers? Who else is left on the market that the Mets should consider — and can afford?
(And for those who say “ho-hum, why is this news?”, I beg you to offer me a more interesting subject to write about that is at least loosely connected to the Mets — cuz I’m running out of ideas in this cold dark winter of discontent.)
There’s Kyle Davies, Zach Duke John Grabow and Edwin Jackson but who knows if there are funds for even a D-list starting pitcher SAD!
I didn’t care for the idea, but would be interested in your take.
Anyway. The above and post below are not too shabby. The Mets lost Cappy, and I dont think Gee is a given to replace him. Andy in my view could help add options if you trade Pelfrey (to free up 5M), or there is Spring injury.
Personally the NON-signing means 2 things; They could go to the Familia-Harvey well early, or Santana is better than the press clippings say.
If we enter the season without any disaster insurance, then I’ll be upset. But it shouldn’t be hard to find, right?
Agreed, no “must haves”, but are there any “must haves” when you have resigned yourself to finishing in last?
I’m really curious as to whom the Mets will have as a backup plan for the rotation. It’s looking pretty scary right now, almost as if they intend on losing 90+ games in order to gain one of the top three picks in the 2013 draft.
Moving to the specifics at issue, not some general comment on the Mets loserdom, my thought remains — these two might be useful, but particularly as to AS, really, is there no one else out there who would give you about the same? AS is not really going to do much to stop that 90+ lose season.
At the same time, please, make a suggestion. Who else can give about the same as Sonnanstine and fit into the Mets’ budget, which appears to be based on the old Italian Lira rather than today’s USD? Not saying it’s impossible, but the pool of options isn’t exactly overflowing.
I said that they would be useful but that given their mediocrity and all, there seems to be other options. You already had a post listing various garbage heap back of the rotation level starters. I’m not sure what I would add, particularly in December, to pick or choose or add a few more.
As to “lira,” is that what they are paying the new relievers they got? Okay. From that Audrey Hepburn flick, I recall you can get a lot for cheap.
Gosh I’m depressed. If they don’t make another move this offseason, I’m just going to go home and consider rooting for the Nats. At least they’re spending money.
Happy New Year to you and yours, Joe!
Best,
Rob
Don’t burst my bubble … I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the Mets to make another big free-agent splash by signing someone like Shawn Camp, Rodrigo Lopez, or Koyie Hill … or maybe all three!
Where’s my razorblade?
Don’t you know that Sandy passed on AS and MC because he still plans to field a “competitive” team in 2012? He’s just waiting out the market, poker-faced, in order to swoop up Jackson, Oswalt, and Madson at bargain prices, trade Niese for a C and OF, and take the NL east by storm!