Sunday, March 15, 2009

Bullpen Addition

Today we added right-handed reliever Duaner Sanchez to our bullpen mix.

Duaner Sanchez was released at the beginning of the week by the Mets making him a free agent once he cleared release waivers. Upon clearing we signed him to a minor league contract, and he should be reporting to Major League camp shortly. From 2004-2006 Duaner pitched 217 1/3 innings with a combined 3.31 ERA and had established himself as one of the better setup relievers in baseball.

Then, on July 31, 2006 Duaner was in a car accident as a passenger in a taxicab that separated his shoulder. After missing all of the 2007 season and part of 2008 with the injury, Duaner came back to pitch 58 1/3 innings at the big league level, posting a 4.32 ERA. His pre-injury fastball velocity has not returned, but he still features an excellent changeup and is a fearless competitor on the mound. Duaner's experience as a setup man could help our pen tremendously.

12 comments:

Yaniv said...

Mets fan here. Duaner was almost unhittable before that taxi accident, earning the quasi-porny nickname "Filthy Sanchez" for the nasty movement on his pitches. But, like you wrote, his fastball has not come back after his shoulder surgery, now two years ago -- he's throwing 84-86 instead of 92-93.

Good luck to him. I hope he can find his old form.

Unknown said...

Paul,

I know that it's spring training and the stats are not relevant but do you have any concern about Peavy? He's had two rough outings in the WBC.

Thank you

John Ottavio said...

I'm really excited about this. I think Meredith, Sanchez and Bell as our 7-8-9 isn't too bad. Possibly throw in Worrell if he shows he's got the stuff for it as well. I was bummed that Beimel was asking for so much (I really don't think he's going to get $2-3mil), but Sanchez is a proven guy so we know what we are getting from him.
Paul, I don't know if you are able to comment on this but if Beimel were to lower his asking price substantially, would we be in the running? I realy hope Thatcher can return to his 07 form, but if he can't, it would be really nice to have an effective reliable lefty to be able to come out of the pen.

Anonymous said...

If Sanchez makes the Padres' ML roster, does the team pick up the remainder of his Mets one-year contract of about $1.4 million?

Or because it's a minor league contract with (currently) undisclosed salary figures, are brand new terms negotiated?

Sakei said...

As somewhat of a Mets enthusiast, let me just say best of luck with that. Duaner seems like a nice enough guy, but he's lost a couple of of mph on his fastball and his control was never that great to begin with.
Stick a fork in him...

Didi Tee said...

I like this pick-up. Hopefully, he gets healthy and turns into another Mike Adams for the Padres.

Steve24 said...

I think the Pads are only on the hook for 750k if he makes the big league club.

Kyle - Driveline Baseball said...

I think this is a great pickup. Good luck to him.

Unknown said...

I like it, it is a low risk move, after all the specialty of the front office is building bullpens on the cheap. If he can locate the fastball, the change-up will be his money pitch.

I hope the team plays it safe with Geer and do the surgery right now, the guy has nothing. He could help recruit his old teammate Niemann.

I see Eduardo Morlan was DFA, that is one impressive young arm!

VA Padres said...

Paul,
Rule V Rocky Cherry failed to stick with th Mets and was refused back by the Orioles. Is he now clear of all Rule V restrictions and available to be pursued as a free agent? He is 6'5 and 225 and has respectable minor league strike out numbers. Is he a power arm and might the Pads take a look or should the fact that the Mets and O's have given up on him tell a big story. Do front office guys talk character/make-up with other clubs on guys like this? Thanks for the blog.

Unknown said...

Wasn't there a little more to the cab accident story???

Steve24 said...

Royce Ring was released by the Cardinals today.

Pads could use a lefty in the pen.