NEW YORK -- Before Pedro Astacio begins pitching for the New
York Mets, he wanted to finish off a bit of mound business back
home.
So a day after reaching agreement with the Mets, Astacio left a
meet-and-greet session at Shea Stadium and took off for the
Dominican Republic, where he was supposed to start a key winter
league game Thursday night.
"It's very important that I pitch tonight," Astacio said. "I
gave them a commitment I would be there."
Astacio, shut down by Houston last August because of a partial
tear in his right shoulder, was to pitch in San Pedro de Macoris. A
victory could give his team, Estrellas, a chance to win its first
Dominican championship in 34 years.
On Wednesday night, when the Mets announced they had signed the
free agent to a one-year deal guaranteeing him $5 million and worth
up to $20.5 million over two years, the Mets seemed to think he was
done in the Dominican.
Astacio and the Mets talked Thursday morning and decided he
would play, albeit with a pitch count around 60.
"It was an obligation he felt he had to honor, and we
understand that," Mets general manager Steve Phillips said.
The Mets closely will watch Astacio, who was put on the disabled
list last Aug. 29 for the first time in his 10-year career in the
majors.
Mets pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Feb. 15
in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Astacio did not anticipate any
problems.
"I'm 100 percent," he said.
Astacio's addition gives the Mets six starting pitchers. They
also have lefties Al Leiter, Shawn Estes, Bruce Chen and Glendon
Rusch and right-hander Steve Trachsel.
After adding Roberto Alomar, Mo Vaughn and Roger Cedeno, the
Mets are still looking to add a power-hitting outfielder to the
offense that was the majors' weakest in 2000.
Milwaukee's Jeromy Burnitz and San Diego's Bubba Trammell have
been mentioned most as possible targets, with a left-handed pitcher
likely to be traded in return.
"I think this puts us in better position," Phillips said.
Astacio did not have surgery in the offseason, and instead
followed a program of rest and rehabilitation. The Mets gave him an
MRI exam and a physical Wednesday, and liked the results.
Astacio has pitched in two Dominican games for a total of seven
innings. The Mets watched both of those outings, along with a
simulated game and a bullpen session.
"There is some level of risk, of course," Phillips said. "But
we expect him to be healthy."
Astacio was 8-14 with a 5.09 ERA in 26 starts for Colorado and
Houston last season. The Astros declined a $9 million option and
instead paid him a $1 million buyout.
The Rockies traded Astacio to Houston in July. But after going
2-1 with a 3.14 ERA for the Astros, he was finished.
Arizona, Texas, Seattle and Los Angeles also scouted Astacio in
the Dominican, and some teams wanted to see him pitch more before
offering a contract.
The Mets, needing to add a right-hander for their rotation, were
convinced Astacio was worth the gamble.
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.
Mets manager Bobby Valentine admitted he did not have a lot of
input into whether to sign Astacio.
"They asked me, and I said I liked him," Valentine said.
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.
Astacio was traded from the Dodgers to Colorado on Aug. 18,
1997, and spent nearly four years with Rockies.
The Mets hope he will benefit -- especially his curveball -- from
a move out of Coors Field. He was 24-24 with a 7.19 ERA lifetime at
the hitter-friendly stadium.
"In my mind, I never think any ballpark is different from
another one. That's how I have to look at it when I pitch and
compete," he said. "But I know that's not true."
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