AFJF Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 Updated: Nov. 14, 2006, 5:21 PM ET Mets reportedly agree to two-year deal with El DuqueESPN.com news services "El Duque" never got his chance to pitch a postseason game in a New York Mets uniform. The Mets hope to give him another crack. Orlando Hernandez Starting Pitcher New York Mets Profile 2006 SEASON STATISTICS GM W L BB K ERA 29 11 11 61 164 4.66 Multiple media outlets reported Tuesday that the Mets have agreed with Cuban right-hander Orlando Hernandez on a two-year contract worth at least $11 million. Nicknamed "El Duque," Hernandez has made a name for himself as a proven postseason performer and was in line to lead the Mets' starting rotation into the playoffs this past season. But the 37-year-old suffered a torn calf muscle just before New York's matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series. He recovered quicker than expected and would have pitched Game 1 of the World Series. But the Mets suffered a disappointing loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series. Hernandez began the 2006 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks but struggled with the floundering ballclub, going 2-4 with a 6.11 ERA in nine starts. A return to New York clearly revived the 37-year-old Hernandez, who went 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after being traded to the Mets on May 24. He finished the campaign 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA in 29 outings between the two teams. Hernandez is 81-60 with a 4.19 ERA in eight seasons with the Mets, Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees. He helped the Yankees capture three consecutive World Series titles from 1998-2000, going 8-1 in 10 starts over that span. Hernandez is 9-3 with a 2.55 ERA in 19 career postseason appearances -- 14 starts. Information from SportsTicker was used in this report Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFJF Posted November 14, 2006 Author Share Posted November 14, 2006 Not a terrible move. I would have given him one year with a club option for a second. At his age (possibly early 40s) and injury history, 2 years is a bit much. Either way, if he stays healthy and Willie doesn't over work him, he'll be a nice #4 starter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124 Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 Good move. El Duque is a good postseason pitcher and may have gotten the Mets to the WS if he were healthy and they didn't have to start some of the guys they started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toon88 Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 Good move. El Duque is a good postseason pitcher and may have gotten the Mets to the WS if he were healthy and they didn't have to start some of the guys they started. or if he would have been up to bunt in the 9th of game 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 How did he get this much money? Seriously? He is old and has not been healthy in a LONG time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernJet Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 How did he get this much money? Seriously? He is old and has not been healthy in a LONG time. 5.5 million a year Thats only 2.5% of Yankee payroll Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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