<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Mets keep El Duque with two-year, $12M dealAssociated PressNEW YORK -- Orlando Hernandez stayed with the New York Mets, agreeing Tuesday to $12 million, two-year contract.El Duque, acquired by the Mets from Arizona in May, went 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts for New York. He was in line to start the team's playoff opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers before injuring his calf while jogging in the outfield.Hernandez missed the division series and the NL Championship Series but appeared ready to return for the World Series had the Mets advanced that far. New York lost the NLCS to St. Louis in seven games.</div><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Second go-around: Mets, Valentin agree to new dealAssociated PressNAPLES, Fla. -- Second baseman Jose Valentin decided to stay with the New York Mets, reaching a preliminary agreement Monday on a one-year contract worth about $3 million.Valentin was scheduled to have a physical Tuesday in New York, agent David Elston said. The deal, which would be finalized if Valentin passes the physical, includes an option for 2008 that could become guaranteed.The 37-year-old hit .271 with 18 homers and 62 RBI last season, displacing Kaz Matsui as New York's second baseman. He had a $912,500 base salary and earned $300,000 in performance bonuses.</div>Neither are bad signings, but im praying the Mets bring in somebody to compete with Valentin for the Second Base job. Someone like Mark Loretta would be nice. Also hoping that the mets are smart enough to realize that El Duque is at best a #3 pitcher, and preferrably a #4 at this point in his career.
12 mil for a 42 year old or whatever his age is. That's a little much isn't it? Yes... yes it is. But I guess you guys do like old pitching.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brooksie5 @ Nov 14 2006, 05:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>12 mil for a 42 year old or whatever his age is. That's a little much isn't it? Yes... yes it is. But I guess you guys do like old pitching.</div>He claims to be 37, in reality he is probably 41 (If you believe the media report that dug up his 'birth certificate') Im not worried about it personally, as El Duque has aged well, he's a finesse pitcher that probably can pitch effectively for 2 more years. The price is a little on the high side, but get used to it as all teams are going to be overpaying this year thanks to the Matsuzaka deal setting the bar.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KyleOrton18 @ Nov 15 2006, 05:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>they're both old and washed up</div>As shown by their performance last season, right? :thumbsup: "El Duque, acquired by the Mets from Arizona in May, went 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts for New York." I'll take that from a #3 or 4 starter. And Valentin had almost 20 Home Runs and is probably going to be a utility infielder on the bench. Not bad at all.
