Mesa had a solid year. Obviously Armando's was alot better, but with Mesa not getting a very big raise we might be able to keep Armando for less than we planned. Jose Mesa - R - Pirates? ? The Pirates' contract offer to Jose Mesa is believed to be worth $1.5 million over one year.Incentives raised Mesa's salary from $800,000 to $1.265 million this year. Whether he accepts the Pirates' new offer might depend on what kind of bonuses are included. Oct. 24 - 1:59 pm et

 Pitching G GS W L SV IP H R ER BB K CG SHO ERA WHIP 70 0 5 2 43 69.1 78 26 25 20 37 0 0 3.25 1.41

i thought so...this free agent market is going to be more dead than alive like in years past.

Mando will should still make more than he made this year

'Mando can make up to $6.5 million because of the type of year he had...his WHIP is amazing, and that's a new stat GM's and stat junkies value over anything else.

 

Comparing Mesa and 'Mando this year is like comparing Mike Lowell and Adrian Beltre.

 

To put in in perspective, Mesa had a very very solid year as a closer, but his WHIP is near double 'Mando's, and he had about half as many strikeouts in 1/3 more of an inning pitched...

sadly enough, mando ain't comin back, the way i see it

 

we have to pick and choose, and w/ mota, the Front Office THINKS it has a replacement, tho i don't agree

If we had a decent bullpen, I'd say definitley no to Mesa. But we don't, and he might be the best we can get.

I sincerely hope we spend some money to resign a guy like Benitez. He proved naysayers, such as myself, wrong in 2004.

Yup, he proved me wrong too. I though he was going to blow alot of saves, but he didn't. So i agree with you.

Damn, thats steep for what looks like an incredibly lucky season.

Damn, thats steep for what looks like an incredibly lucky season.

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1.5 mil isn't bad for a closer

Damn, thats steep for what looks like an incredibly lucky season.

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1.5 mil isn't bad for a closer

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I agree Juanky although you never know from year to year with aging closers.

 

Seeing him in a setup role coming in ahead of Mota (if Mando goes elsewhere), with the possibility of being a second closer when and if needed, might be a terrific way for the Fish to go in 2005. For the small money, in my mind, it would certainly be worth the gamble. :thumbup

I guess if you like paying extra for the save stat.

I guess if you like paying extra for the save stat.

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For me, my dear friend Mr. Shamster, I would look at acquiring a second closer, early in the season rather at the last trade deadline, as insurance in the same way we all insure our homes, cars and valuables.

 

There can be no doubt the lack of a quality backup (in last year's case to Chad Fox) cost the Fish a real opportunity to contend as the season went on.

 

Do I like paying a little more than I should? Nope. But then again I didn't like the increases I paid in wind and flood insurance either early in 2004 but I sure was happy I did when hurricane season rolled around.

Mesa also got 1.5 mil b/c of his age, which isnt as big a factor for benitez. In fact theres a story about benitez, when he was 16 in DR, he was being scouted and Mesa walked by and said that benitez was going to have a good future in the bigs. So mesa is pretty damn old