Todd Coffey close to an extension

[Postseason2006]

I understand exactly what you mean, but at the same time you have to look at our farm system and see that we really are not producing big-time arms for the major league bullpen, so what's Melvin supposed to do then?

Sarfate was a decent arm that we had but decided to go "shopping" somewhere else.

[TheCrew07]

Sarfate had every opportunity to make it in this organization, he never threw enough strikes, he needed the change of scenery.

[dadofandrew]

Sarfate sucked in AAA, but had a good arm. Those are the guys you look around for.

[endaround]

Like say a Luis Pena?

[jjfanec]

Sarfate ended the year badly so it isnt like he had a good year. He had a WHIP of 1.56 and walked 62 batters in 80 innings. His first half BAbip numbers were low the first half and when the increased toward the norm his ERA was pretty bad. I don't really know how much he would have pitched on this team down the stretch. Even after saying that I just looked at Coffey's numbers and they are not great. I just think some people saw how Sarfate started the year and missed how much he cooled down the stretch. He had control trouble again but got lucky early on.

[dadofandrew]

Yep, Pena is an excellent example. Heck, anyone who throws 90+ is a good example, as few of those can be found on the waiver wire or as minor league FA's. Pena's not very good for a 40 man spot, but would be highly sought after as a FA.

[ILuvDaBush]

Didn't we pick Grant Balfour up off the waiver wire from the Tigers? McNasty or Ball-Four....good use of the waiver wire.

[Fatter than Joey]

Balfour was picked up from the Reds

[Jim Goulart]

The waiver aspect of this discussion continues in a Doug Melvin thread on the Major League Forum here.