Just out of curiousity, is Billy Koch available? Could be an interesting idea to go after...

who wants him???

Depending on the price, I would.

Depending on the price, I would.

For 500,000 he's worth the gamble. But use that money and get levine!

Levine is 35, last I checked. Koch is 29, has more upside. If the money were even, I sign Koch and make him a set up man until he is ready to close. The guy could be a dominant closer.

Koch is the clsoer for the Chi Sox. Used to be one for the A's.

and he's going down hill because he lost his velocity.

 

Yet Levine pitched very well last year and has been good for the last couple of years. He's better.

I agree with Sorianofan that Levine is a better option.

 

Plus Koch has struggled as of late and Tim Worrel has shown you can get better with age.

Barry Bonds has also shown you can get better with age. And while we're at it, wouldnt Koch be a possible candidate to get better with age too?

 

I am not against signing Levine, but I dont see it happening - anymore than we sign/trade Koch. I think you can make more of an argument to go after Koch though, and that is not the question of this thread. But, what else would I expect from Sorianofan...

still want Koch?

 

Billy Koch RHP CHW Signed Jan 2003 - 2 years/$10.625M

2003: $4.25M

2004: $6.375M

-2004 salary rises to $6.5M if he finishes 65 games in 2003

still want Koch?

 

Billy Koch RHP CHW Signed Jan 2003 - 2 years/$10.625M

2003: $4.25M

2004: $6.375M

-2004 salary rises to $6.5M if he finishes 65 games in 2003

Not at that price - and that answers my question (see thread title) - he is not a FA. For some reason, I thought he was.

I'd say if you're looking for a middle reliever, Levine is a better option. For closer, I'd go with Koch.

still want Koch?

 

Billy Koch RHP CHW Signed Jan 2003 - 2 years/$10.625M

2003: $4.25M

2004: $6.375M

-2004 salary rises to $6.5M if he finishes 65 games in 2003

Not at that price - and that answers my question (see thread title) - he is not a FA. For some reason, I thought he was. he is available though

:thumbdown to jonnylons infantile attitude

 

I'm sure someone who's lost all of his velocity and with a 5.77 era is a must-get.

 

How about john rocker while you're at it? Or mark wohlers? They're closers who have lost their velocity with bad eras...do you want to sign them to?

Jayson Stark seems to think Koch will end up with the Mets:

 

Now that they've signed Mike Cameron, the Mets will turn to their next objective -- finding a closer. They've talked to free agent Ugueth Urbina. But indications are that they're more likely to trade for either Billy Koch or Scott Williamson. And if we were betting men, we'd bet on Koch, given his connection (from Oakland) to new pitching coach Rick Peters.