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November 18, 2005

Braden Looper

Call me crazy, but, I'm beginning to think that the Yankees should get Looper on the radar.

He was "off" last year - and it was probably due do an injury as he had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder the day after the season ended. But, still, even being "off" he was a league average performer.

In fact, even with that bad season last year, if you look at guys with 300+ appearances from 2001 through 2005, he's one of the 20th best RP in that group.

At the least, he should be a "Plan B" thought if the Yankees cannot get Farnsworth. It's not like he's Felix Rodriguez or Scott Proctor. I would not give him millions and millions, but, if he was having trouble finding a team, I would step up out of the crowd and give him a home for 2006.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at November 18, 2005 02:09 PM

Comments

I'd go along with that. He had a pretty decent 2004 and apparently 2005 ended badly because of injury. I wouldn't say he's Mr. New York but he's not Armando Benitez either. Then again, we haven't seen him play in October. Either way, it's not a bad idea.

I'd also endorse going after Octavio Dotel in a John Leiber type move. Give him a million bucks to get his arm straightened out and then bring him out of the bullpen in 2007. He's not the world's best closer but he did well in 2002-2003 as a setup guy. At worst, you've wasted a million bucks.

Posted by: MJ [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 18, 2005 02:57 PM

Then again, we haven't seen him play in October.
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You saw him in the 2003 WS...

I agree on either Looper or Dotel. I'm not sure if Looper still wants to close, but I wouldn't mind him or Farnsworth in a setup role

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 18, 2005 03:24 PM

Oh yeah, I forgot about the 2003 WS. I guess seeing Boone and Soriano strike out with RISP and less than 2 outs so many times made me repress that series...

Posted by: MJ [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 18, 2005 03:40 PM

Oh yeah, I forgot about the 2003 WS. I guess seeing Boone and Soriano strike out with RISP and less than 2 outs so many times made me repress that series...
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*grumble, grumble, grumble*

"Bunt, choke up on the bat, cut down on your swing... Anything, just make f--king contact, d@mmit"

"eh, no biggie... Wells should be able to shut them d... What's this? Why is he coming out?"

A couple of thoughts during 2003

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 18, 2005 04:53 PM

Looper had 27Ks vs 22 BB last year - in 59.1 IP, and just turned 31. No thanks!

I'd also be concerned about how much his numbers have been helped out by his home park - seaing that Joe Robbie (or whatever they call it, I call it Joe Robbie) and Shea are both tremendous pitchers' parks.

Now Dotel, there's a guy I wouldn't mind taking a Leiber-like flier on. Great idea, MJ!

Posted by: Shaun P. [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 18, 2005 05:35 PM

I wish I shared the thoughts on Dotel. He always seemed like a loco and a choker to me.

Posted by: Steve Lombardi [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 18, 2005 10:09 PM

I wish I shared the thoughts on Dotel. He always seemed like a loco and a choker to me.
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And why is that?

Guy still has a great arm, it couldn't hurt to take a flyer on him. I'd say the same for Billy Koch, or Tim Spoonybarger

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 19, 2005 09:26 AM

Every time Dotel has had a chance to close, he's spit the bit. That tells me that he's a choker.

Posted by: Steve Lombardi [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 19, 2005 09:41 AM

Every time Dotel has had a chance to close, he's spit the bit. That tells me that he's a choker.
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Dotel spent the bulk of his career as a setup man...

Anyway, he closed for the Astros, and he closed for the A's, where he blew out his arm.

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 19, 2005 02:54 PM