Bronson ArroyoThere’s a lot of chatter now that the Mets are at least interested in Bronson Arroyo. While this certainly can’t be considered the “big splash” Sandy Alderson was talking about, it could be a nice move for the Mets. The Mets need a veteran starter somebody who can eat innings, win games and show the younger arms on the staff how to act like a major league pitcher. While Arroyo may not be as “sexy” of a choice as say Roy Halladay or even Ervin Santana, Arroyo would still help the Mets.

Arroyo is far from perfect. He turns 37 next year and appears to be seeking a multi year deal. Arroyo has also been quoted that he suspected the androstenedione he was taking may have been tainted with steroids. It’s a bit worrisome that he wasn’t sure what he was putting in his body, but he wasn’t one of the players listed in the Mitchell Report. Arroyo won 17 games in 2010 but that’s the only year he’s ever won more than 15 games. His bWAR was 6.8 in 2006 but that’s the only year his bWAR has been over 3.6. He’s never going to be mistaken for a number one starter.

Still Arroyo does one thing quite well, he eats up innings, having pitched in 200 or more innings every year except once since 2005. The one year he didn’t, 2011, he had mono and still pitched 199 innings. He also throws a lot of strikes, averaging just 2.5 BB/9 for his career. He’s also had a winning record eight out of the last 10 years, winning double digit games each of those eight years. He’s led the league in games started in 2006 and 2008. His two best years were 2006 when he actually had votes for MVP and 2010 when he had votes for the Cy Young Award. So if the every four year “trend” continues he could have one of his better years in 2014. (Yes, I realize this may be statistically grasping at straws, but when you’re a Mets fan sometimes you do what you have to do to survive.) From all accounts Arroyo is a decent guy to have in the clubhouse. He certainly is one of the better guitar playing pitchers around.

Obviously this is still all just in the rumor stages. We can’t really be sure how interested the Mets are in Arroyo and if Arroyo will fit into the Met’s budget. But as far as rumors go this one at least seems feasible. Arroyo will not make Mets fans forget they won’t be watching Matt Harvey pitch in 2014, but he could be a reliable stop gap. Of course this being the Mets, a team that has a lot of media coverage and not much of a budget Arroyo may never materialize and next week we may be talking about Bartolo Colon.

9 comments on “Mets could do worse than Bronson Arroyo

  • Les Gomez

    Arroyo would definitely stabilize the staff and give them some veteran leadership. He’ll pitch to a sub-4.00 ERA at Citi and will eat innings. Considering we won’t have to break the bank to get him, I think he’s exactly what we need right now.

    • pete

      Les any pitcher who is looking for a multi-year deal is asking for more money than the team can afford. The Mets have 20-22 million dollars left to spend this off season. Yes les he will break the bank and the team will not be able to upgrade left or shortstop for a 37 year old pitcher who will probably have a 500 record at the end of the season. Sounds exciting yes? 20 million for that?

      • John Zakour

        I’m actually starting to believe Tejada will be the Mets SS in 2014. Unless the Rangers sign Cano and then maybe we can get Elvis. Though I’m not sure who the Mets could trade.

      • Les Gomez

        I understand your point, but I do think veteran leadership in the rotation provides long-term benefits. This is a guy who has won big games and has, more importantly, never missed a start. Nurturing the young arms should be paramount. A bigger waste of money would be on a bat who will shrivel Bay-style in Citi, like Nelson Cruz.

  • Brian Joura

    I don’t see the point of adding a free agent pitcher when we have limited dollars and an offense that needs help more urgently. I’m even more confused why we would consider any pitcher who wanted a multi-year deal. And adding a guy who has already voted in five presidential elections – who doesn’t throw a knuckleball – seems like a shaky idea.

  • pete

    So the Mets win 75-80 games as opposed to 70-75 games, John. The Mets are interested in anyody who can help the team and quite their fan base. It’s like hot ait in the middle of the Artic. john what about the 20-25 million it’s going to cost the team for 2 years for an “innings eater”. Why you guys keep propping up the Mets and put them in a 5th avenue store when we both know the team shops in dollar stores? There is NO POINT in signing Arroyo. Apply the limited resources the team has to upgrading the outfield and shortstop. Any pitcher on the Mets wish list who has not been signed before spring training will be invited or signed to a minor league contract. That’s one of the reasons the team will probably sign Harang or Dice-K. If they pitch well they’ll have a chance to pitch for a playoff team via a trade at the trading deadline. By that time Montero and Syndergaard will be in the rotation for the Mets.

  • Name

    Arroyo makes the Mets better for next year for sure (after that it’s debatable), but budgets are not unlimited and you need to get the best bang for your buck.

    Alderson hasn’t shown us that he is good at anything except for trading a player for prospects. Signing Arroyo would not help that view in my opinion.

  • Metsense

    Phil Hughes 3/24 is an indication of the inflated market. It will cost more to sign Arroyo, money the Mets don’ t have ,and an expenditure that is unnecessary. Dumpster dive for the vet pitcher and spend the money on the offense instead.

  • Julian McCarthy

    Why add a pitcher that will cost more than one year when there is already a huge logjam internally. I do think the Mets should get a one-year deal for a pitcher, but anything more is not worth it.

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