NEW YORK -- The New York Mets are willing to spend $5
million to see if former Colorado Rockies right-hander Pedro Astacio can
still pitch.
| |
|
| |
| 2001 SEASON STATISTICS |
| GM |
W |
L |
Sv |
K |
ERA |
| 26 |
8 |
14 |
0 |
144 |
5.09 |
|
|
Shut down last August because of a partial tear in his right
shoulder, the free agent and the Mets agreed Wednesday night on a
one-year deal.
"You never have any assurances," Mets general manager Steve
Phillips said. "There is some level of risk. But we expect him to
be healthy."
Astacio got a $1 million signing bonus, a $3.5 million salary
for 2002 and $500,000 buyout. He can make an additional $5 million
next season in performance bonuses if he pitches 230 innings.
Astacio's contract becomes guaranteed for at least $6 million in
2003 if he pitches 180 innings.
The Mets, already one of baseball's busiest teams this
offseason, watched Astacio pitch four times in the Dominican
Republic winter league. The team brought him to New York for a
physical and an MRI exam on Wednesday, and liked what it saw.
"He's loose and pain-free," Phillips said. "He clearly didn't
have a sore arm."
Astacio was one of the biggest names available at last year's
trading deadline. On July 31, he was sent from the Rockies with
cash considerations to the Houston Astros for pitcher Scott Elarton
and a player to be named.
But Astacio was found to have a partial tear and, after going
2-1 with a 3.14 ERA for the Astros, was held out for the rest of
the season.
Astacio, 32, finished the season at 8-14 with a 5.09 ERA in 26
starts for the Rockies and Astros. Houston declined a $9 million
option and instead paid him a $1 million buyout.
Astacio did not undergo surgery and followed a rehabilitation
program that had him ready for winter ball. Phillips said Astacio
wanted to continue pitching in the Dominican, but will not
participate in any more games.
Phillips said the Mets pursued Astacio in the past, but could
never close a deal to get him. The Mets also considered free agent
James Baldwin, but backed away.
Astacio is 103-96 with a 4.50 ERA lifetime with Los Angeles,
Colorado and Houston. He is the Rockies' franchise leader with 53
wins.
The Mets boosted their offense this offseason by acquiring Mo Vaughn -- for right-handed pitcher Kevin Appier -- along with Roberto Alomar and Roger Cedeno.
New York also obtained Shawn Estes from San Francisco. He joined
Al Leiter, Glendon Rusch and Bruce Chen as a fourth left-hander in
the Mets' prospective rotation, leaving Steve Trachsel as the lone
right-hander.
"We have made a lot of moves to affect our offense," Phillips
said. "We think the addition of Astacio really reinforces the
quality and depth of our rotation."
The Mets may not be finished dealing, either. After missing out
on Juan Gonzalez, they're still looking to acquire a power-hitting
outfielder. Jeromy Burnitz, Bubba Trammell and Ben Grieve have been
mentioned as possible targets, most likely for a left-handed
starter other than Leiter.
"Right now, we have options," Phillips said.
| |
|
