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Joel's avatar

All true. The pitching market is crazy. While Tong clearly needs more experience in AAA, I think Sproat is ready to roll. Ranger Suarez is younger and perhaps a more attractive acquisition than Valdez? Hurting the Phillies would be a bonus.

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James Schwartz's avatar

To me King would have the best upside. Valdez and 6 years is a bit scary but thinking about it guys who aren’t going full bore every pitch probably ages better. Heck, I’d be fine with Quintana in the back end even Bassit on a 2 year deal. Have that guy helping McClean? Get the trophy case ready for more hardware adding more Cy Young’s. Skubal has to be on everyone’s wishlist though. Right? That link has been made since before the season ended and while it’s all wishlist click bait where there’s smoke there’s fire in the hot stove season. I’ll take em all. Get rid of the dead weight on this team. Let’s go dammit!

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harvey's avatar
1dEdited

FWIW - The Hector Gomez who reported the possible Valdez signing is the brother of Gilbert Gomez, newly hired Met 1B coach

Over the past 2 seasons, 59 starts, Valdez has averaged 6.2 innings per start

Over the past two seasons, 45 starts, King has averaged 5.5 innings per start

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Declan's avatar

I wonder what fans think?.....Valdez or King.. The Mets DO need a guy that eats innings.

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harvey's avatar

They just traded for a fairly expensive defensive 2B.Per Baseball-Reference:

Valdez' ground ball % for 2025 was 58.3 and for his career 61.5%.

King's ground ball % for 2025 was 38.6 and for his career 41.7%

I think they prefer Valdez, but that doesn't mean that's who they sign

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Paul O’Connell's avatar

You guys are forgetting the most important thing about Valdez. He intentionally crossed up his catcher and hit him with a fastball in the chest. Now, that happened with the Astros, how’s he gonna react during a bad stretch getting booed by 40,000 fans at Citi field? Are we gonna have another lopez situation and be the laughing stock of the MLB again? He shouldn’t even be considered for a contract

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Kevin J. Rogers's avatar

Man, going north of $30 million per for Framber Valdez strikes me as a wicked overpay. Good pitcher, but that's off the hook.

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