Christian Red of the Daily News is reporting that pitcher Livan Hernandez has been signed by the Mets to a minor league contract worth $1 million plus incentives.
Adam Rubin at the Daily News posts remarks from Omar Minaya who said the reason for signing Livan to a minor-league deal was that their spring roster was depleted from the World Baseball Classic and the belief that he wants to have eight to 10 starter candidates in camp.
Rubin indicates that reports are Hernandez’s velocity was just 78-83 mph in Colorado late last season.
Minaya revealed that he was very close to trading for Hernandez at the ‘06 deadline once Duaner Sanchez had the taxi cab accident, but instead pulled the trigger and acquired Oliver Perez from the Pirates. Minaya also mentioned he wanted Triple-A Buffalo to be strong this year.
Thanks to MLB Trade Rumors for the link.
It’s funny, since I heard of the deal while I was groggily brushing my teeth this morning with the radio on. According to Eddie Coleman on WFAN, Jerry Manuel let slip to reporters that Livan was coming to camp, all before the team even announced his signing. Woops?
I don’t mind the move, since it’s purely for depth, assuming that Freddy Garcia would be in the rotation with Tim Redding taking the long relief role. Considering the last couple of years of Lima time, Alay Soler and Chan Ho Park, I don’t mind having Livan waiting in the wings should someone go down in the rotation.
Pete Lappin (3)
