The Complex Case of Oliver Perez

Baseball Think Factory is an excellent site that does an excellent job of posting about the actual inner workings of baseball. The break down swings, strengths, weakness, pitching mechanics, and lots more stuff. After the 2006 season they did a great write up on Oliver Perez, and what he did right in 2004, what he did wrong in 2005 and 2006, and what Rick Peterson changed to bring him back. It's a great read, but this post is just so I can beg him to update his Oliver Perez review, and show the differences in 2007.

I reccomend checking out their site, and this great post!

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/mechanics/discussion/the_complex_case_of_oliver_perez/

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/

Lost in the Johan Santana Rumors

Every day on hundreds of blogs across the country, Johan Santana is the main focus of fans due to his impending trade demands. No one knows if he will in fact be traded, or if it is all just a dream that we all have. I would love to see him go to the Yankees or the Mets - for the same reason I want Oliver Perez on either the Yankees or the Mets. It will give me the opportunity to watch him pitch more. Any opportunity you have to see one of the greatest pitchers of a generation - you should count your blessings. I got to see Roger Clemens regulary - I was at opening day when he broke Walter Johnsons AL strikeout record. I got to see Randy Johnson - albeit at the downside of his career. I got to watch Dwight Gooden as a flamethrowin youngster and at the end of his career. I could go on about perfect games and no hitters, Jim Abbott and his one hand. If these guys never played for the Mets or Yankees I would have almost never seen them. That is why I need Johan in NY.

The thing most people are not talking about in the Johan trade rumors is the fact the Twins have someone coming back from an injury that has the ability to make the fans forget Johan pitched there. Francisco Liriano will be returning with Spring training, and from what I have seen - he has the ability to be much better than Johan. He proved it in 2006 before he got hurt. If he is back to 80% of where he was - he will have a shot at the AL Cy Young in 2008.

2002 Bowman Draft Picks
Card# BDP147

Chrome Version - (1)

Fantasy Baseball

February 4th is right around the corner, and I am getting excited for another season of Sandbox fantasy baseball!!!!

I saw a real stupid list of the 101 best fantasy baseball teams in another blog. Normally I would not link it as it is pretty bad, but a few made me giggle.

I link it because it has:

28. Oliver for Perezident - Mets fans should like this one

I think I might steal that name this year in at least one of my leagues!

http://www.brockforbroglio.com/2008/01/23/101-of-the-best-fantasy-baseball-team-names/

Cheezy Youtube Video

I thought I would add some fun youtube videos to the blog, and I just started looking for some. The first one that pops up when you di a search is about his performance in the 2006 NLCS game 7. It was a great game, and is what gave me back my confidence in him as a pitcher - but the music in this video makes me laugh.

Gotta love watching him jump the foul line, and seeing the Chavez catch again still makes me smile!

Oliver Perez and his Arbitration

Ollie can be a free agent at the end of the 2008 season, and this is the first season that he is arbitration eligible. He has signed with Scott Boras as his agent, and this will likely scare many teams off next season, but if he puts together a season anything like 2004 or 2007 this year he will be in line for a HUGE payday. I am sure the book that Boras will put together will make him look better than almost every pitcher. He will be only 27, and the K/9 will say everything.

I love Ollie playing in New York because I get to watch all of his outings on TV, so if he doesn't stay with the Mets than I hope the Yankees can squeeze a few more millions out of their tiny budget! He has shown he can pitch in New York, and in the past the Yankees have gone out of their way to sign players that do well against them (look at his stats against the Yankees in 2007)

Remember Danny Tartbull? He killed the Yankees in the late 80's - so when he was a free agent the Yankees made him rich (they got nothing for their money but the point is the same) Look at Jaret Wright. We all knew he sucked. We all knew he wasn't worth the money that the Yankees paid him - but they did it because of how well he pitched against them when he was on Cleveland. Sidney Ponson - same thing. I could go on forever.

Oliver Perez has asked the Mets for $6.5 million in 2008, and the Mets have countered with 4.7 million. If the team and Ollie can not come to an agreement then the case will go to arbitration. I have heard some people argue that the Mets should just give in to his demands, as it will show some confidence in him, and that could bode well when it comes time to resign. Personally I think that is a crock. Scott Boras will not allow it to happen unless Ollie kicks him to the curb like ARod did.

In my opinion, Omar Minaya should make a good faith effort to sit down with Oliver and Boras and come to a mutual agreement, and not let it go to arbitration. The results will probably be the same - in the 5.5 million dollar range, and it will show a willingness to work together. The Mets should then make a point to get Oliver to go to lunch with ARod when the subway series happens to talk about Boras. That might be the straw that allows the Mets to keep Ollie in 2009 and beyond!

Haven't posted in a while

My readership is still pretty low, but I still want to apologize for not posting in a few days. Had to travel for work.