Ryota Igarashi agrees to $3M, two-year deal with NYM

"NEW YORK -- Hoping they found their setup man on the other side of the globe, the New York Mets agreed Thursday with Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi on a $3 million, two-year contract.

The 30-year-old right-hander became the first major addition this offseason for the Mets following a 70-92 debacle that left them with a fourth-place finish in the NL East.

New York thinks Igarashi could fill the role of eighth-inning setup man for All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez.

"We've had an interest in Ryota for two years," general manager Omar Minaya said in a statement. "He's got a power arm and an outstanding split-finger."

Igarashi went 3-2 with a 3.19 ERA and three saves in 56 games last season in Japan. He struck out 44 and walked 20 in 53 2/3 innings." -ESPN.com

As a Mets fan I will not complain about this signing. I've been saying that I don't understand why the Mets have cannot make the smart rational decisions that even we as mere fans know to make. The Mets need PITCHING, and hitting too, and a new GM but pitching most importantly. Putz was a failure, I can only hope this new japanese setup man won't follow in the footsteps of every failed setup man since 2000.

As for the Bay signing? Honestly, if Jason Bay becomes a New York Metropolitan I will have no choice but to be excited. A power hitter to add some run support for Johan Sanata would be nice in Citi Field; but I don't want Bay. The Mets are notorious for signing players coming off of their contract seasons, in their early or mid 30's, giving them too many years. I trust that Jason Bay would be a great hitter in NY and in the National League again but look at Beltran for example; 32 years old, 19 million dollars in 2009 and hit amazingggggg .325 10 hr 48 rbi and 11 sb....but only played 81 games with TWO messed up knees that are only getting worse.

My Mets Plan:
> Trade Beltran NOW
> Sign and trade Bay
> Dump Luis (fuck face) Castillo and Carlos Delgado (FA)
> Keep Santana, Wright, Reyes, Krod and Pelfry; If your not one of those 5 guys...go the fuck awayyyyyyyyyyyy...rebuild

If the Mets think they have a shot at winning the World Series in 2010 with that team HAHA...I might as well let a Phillies fan laugh and slap me to remind me they just got Roy Halladay

Johan Santana Done For The Year

At least it sounds that way....

"New York Mets players told MLB.com they are expecting ace Johan Santana will require surgery to fix a lingering elbow issue. Santana was scratched from his start on Tuesday at Florida and will reportedly have his elbow examined further, after which point season-ending injury could be required. The two-time Cy Young winner has been dealing with discomfort since the All-Star break, manager Jerry Manuel said on Monday. "He has not been throwing between starts for quite awhile. I would say since before the All-Star break. He has been pitching with this problem, but not with the level of discomfort he has now," Manuel said. "Now, it concerns him (Sportsline)."

Sounds like he is going to need surgery, but even if he doesn't the Mets should shut him down. Their season is over, and they really are going to need him 100% next year if they are going to have any chance. The Mets have one of the highest payrolls in the league, but they somehow overlooked the whole starting pitching thing. You would think they will be big players in the offseason for whatever starting pitching free agents that will be out there.

Mets Season Over Before It Starts?

ESPN is reporting that the Mets are concerned with Johan Santana's sore elbow. He was scratched today from his start, and it is raising some eyebrows about the health of the Mets' ace. If Johan was to go down the Mets would have to count on Oliver Perez as their ace. Not a good thing, since the rest of their staff is a bunch of question marks.

The Mets are a really weird team. I really like their offense, and I think their bullpen (if healthy) could actually be a strength this year. Yet, we all know you don't go anywhere without a strong starting staff, and if Johan goes down, so will any hope of the Mets taking back the division crown. We'll update you on his status as more information becomes available.

Johan Santana Declines WBC

"Johan Santana plans to decline an invitation to pitch for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic at the request of the New York Mets, who want their pitching ace to be careful with his recovery from knee surgery, according to New York-area media reports (ESPN)."

If I was a Mets fan I would be thrilled that Johan is not going to try and push himself to pitch in the World Baseball Classic. I am a big fan of the WBC, but it is a big risk to have a pitcher like Santana pitching in an event that does nothing for your MLB team (especially with the amount of Money he makes). If the Mets are going to do anything this year, they know Johan is going to have be pitching his A game all year, and the best chance of that happening is for him to to be throwing any extra innings that he doesn't have to.

7 Mets, 2 Marlins

Today the Mets beat the Marlins, which is no shocker, however, I wanted to point out how well Johan did on his first start. 7 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs and 8Ks, not super but still really good. I still believe the Red Sox f'd up royally by not trading for this guy, with Beckett dinged up, and Schilling out for possibly the year. We needed this guy more than we know it. I know it is a very long season and anything can happen, but anyone who believes that Lester or Clay, or even Ellsbury weren't worth giving up for Johan is an idiot. Since he is a Met though, I still believe Tommy John is right around the bend.

Box Score