There he is. The man who quite possibly single-handedly ruined the Mets 2009 season.
John Smoltz.
You'd think Smoltz heading to the American League and taking his career 18-15 record, 24 saves, and 3.44 ERA vs NYM would be a good thing.
You're wrong.
John Smoltz started a bad list of events that led to the Mets doing the ONE thing they should not have done this offseason. Lets recap:
DEC 1, 2008: The Braves decline salary arbitration to John Smoltz. The future Hall of Famer is now free to sign elsewhere. The Braves - by all indications - fully expect Smoltz to return.
JAN 3, 2009: Derek Lowe rejects Mets 3yr/36mil contract.
JAN 7, 2009: Smoltz is expected to sign with the Red Sox.
JAN 8, 2009: The Mets and Derek Lowe are far apart on a possible contract.
JAN 9, 2009: John Smoltz makes it official, and signs with the Boston Red Sox. And here's where it all starts to fall apart.
JAN 13, 2009: The Braves, having lost Smoltz, completely freak out and offer Lowe a four year deal worth 60 million dollars. Four days after Smoltz's signs with Boston, Lowe signs with the Braves.
FEB 8, 2009: Ben Sheets - believed to be one of the backups if Lowe signs elsewhere, will miss almost all of the 2009 season with an elbow injury. I'm assuming the Mets figured this out weeks earlier, but probably not before they lost out on Lowe.
That left the Mets with no choice. Because John Smoltz signed with Boston, the Braves then lost their mind, then their backup plan got hurt, so the Mets were left with only one pitcher left to sign.
Oliver freaking Perez.
I've said my piece many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many times about this clown. But in 2009, I'll give him a break. Its not his fault.
So on October 4th - when the Mets are tied with the Phillies for first place on the last day of the season, and Oliver Perez is struggling to get through the 6th inning against the Astros - remember this Mets fans: Its all John Smoltz's fault.
- SB
1 comment:
SB -
You've got it all wrong. It won't be October 4th when Perez costs the Mets - if nothing else, he's clutch.
It'll be May 4th, or August 4th, or both, when he gives up 7 walks and 10 earned runs in a game he should win, or a game where he's been staked an early lead, and the Mets lose that'll end up costing them when they miss the playoffs by a game.
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