Mets Geek » Poll Results - Who Should be the Mets Closer in 2009?

October 5, 2008

Poll Results - Who Should be the Mets Closer in 2009?

by: Mike Newman on Oct 5, 2008 4:42 PM | Filed under: Journals

Readers on my blog voted on Mets closer candidates in 2009 and here are the results.

1. 56% - Look outside the organization
2. 18% - Eddie Kunz
3. 12% - Duaner Sanchez
4. 6% - Luis Ayala
5. 6% - Joe Smith
6. 0% - Another player inside the organization

With my writing a piece previously about whether Eddie Kunz can be the closer in 2009, as well as last Friday’s piece on what changes the Mets should make in 2009, I’ve pretty much beaten this topic to death. However, there are a few things to remember;

1. Luis Ayala is a free agent this winter and will likely seek a multi-year contract and raise whether warranted or not.
2. The Mets spent high draft picks on both Kunz and Smith in the hope they can be a big part of the solution and not a part of the bullpen problem. Let’s not forget Brant Rustich and Bradley Holt who were also high picks with Holt projected by some to be a better reliever than starter in the future.
3. Billy Wagner’s 10.5 million 2009 salary is not insured so add Wagner’s salary to salary of whichever closer the Mets may sign to find the total amount spent on the Mets closer position. IE Francisco Rodriguez at 15 million + Wagner’s 10.5 million equals 26.5 million spent on the closer position. The highest paid closer in the game is Mariano Rivera at 15 million. To sign K-Rod would mean the Mets are willing to pay a minimum of 40%+ above what any other organization is willing to pay. Can you say “fiscal irresponsibility!”

It’s just not a good time for the Mets to throw a pot of gold at a closer from a fiscal standpoint. However, with Minaya’s new extension and the opening of a new stadium, fiscal and organizational responsibility may be left by the wayside.

7 Responses to “Poll Results - Who Should be the Mets Closer in 2009?”

Comment posted by Dep on October 5, 2008 at 4:51 pm (#872980)
Duaner is arbitration eligible this offseason for the last time.
Comment posted by john on October 5, 2008 at 5:52 pm (#872991)
1) K-Rod
2) Bobby Freakin Parnell
3) Anyone not named Heilman, Show, or anyone we have had in the pen the last two years

Comment posted by MetsFanSince71 on October 5, 2008 at 6:02 pm (#872992)
K-Rod

Comment posted by Simons on October 5, 2008 at 7:15 pm (#872994)
So 12% of your blog readers suffer from debilitating mental health problems. Very sad.

Comment posted by Mike Newman on October 5, 2008 at 8:46 pm (#872998)
I stand corrected. Baseball Reference had salary information for 2007 only. Rotoworld had the correct info. I updated the post.

Comment posted by Mike Newman on October 5, 2008 at 9:38 pm (#873001)
I think that 12% is the same 12% who still think Obama is muslim.
Comment posted by Dave in Spain on October 6, 2008 at 9:52 am (#873053)
1.Fuentes
2.Wood
3.K-Rod
In this order mostly because of the dollar issue you mention and the declining peripherals of KRod.

I want Juan Cruz for the pen, though not for closer.