Mets on verge of dealing for L.A.'s Ishii

[Reilly]

The Mets are on the verge of filling the hole left in their rotation by Steve Trachsel's ailing back, moving closer to acquiring left-hander Kazuhisa Ishii from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Catcher Jason Phillips would be the player sent in return to Los Angeles, where Phillips would become the Dodgers' starting catcher, numerous media outlets reported.

Ishii, 31, projects as a spare part of the Dodgers' pitching rotation once injured hurlers Odalis Perez and Brad Penny re-join Los Angeles' staff.

Meanwhile, Phillips – hitting .550 this spring – does not figure to be anything more than a backup for Mike Piazza with the Mets and is coming off a 2004 campaign in which he batted just .218.

Swapped between clubs, both players would suddenly be moved to the forefront, with Ishii taking over the fourth or fifth spot in New York's rotation following Trachsel's surgery to repair a herniated disc Saturday.

Club sources from both teams reportedly confirmed that the Mets and Dodgers had discussed the trade, which would involve the Mets taking on Ishii's considerable salary. Ishii is due $5.4 million this season and has a buyout in his contract for 2006, while Phillips is due just $330,000 this year.

In three seasons with Los Angeles, Ishii showed a knack for ringing up the strikeouts, although his command left something to be desired. Last season alone, he was twice banished to the bullpen by Dodgers manager Jim Tracy in the midst of a season in which he went 13-8 with a 4.71 ERA in 31 starts, pitching two complete game shutouts but striking out just one more batter (99) than he walked (98).

Over his Major League career, Ishii is 36-25 with a 4.30 ERA in 86 starts. In 473.0 innings, he has walked 305 and struck out 382.

If Phillips exits the Mets picture, the backup catcher's job appears to be Ramon Castro's for the taking. Mike Jacobs appears headed for Triple-A Norfolk and Joe Hietpas is hoping to latch on at Double-A Binghamton.

[Boik14 is the shiz]

The human walk machine has arrived. Only Russ Ortiz has walked more over the last 3 years...308-305. Vic Zambrano is 3rd with 276.

[Domino427]

The human walk machine has arrived. Only Russ Ortiz has walked more over the last 3 years...308-305. Vic Zambrano is 3rd with 276.
Even with the exit of Al Leiter and Trachsel's injury, Mets games will STILL be long, drawn out, often boring events...what fun!!!

[Boik14 is the shiz]

Even with the exit of Al Leiter and Trachsel's injury, Mets games will STILL be long, drawn out, often boring events...what fun!!!I dont know about boring but with Ishii and Vic Zambrano Id say paying attention is required cause they have the control of a little leaguer at times.

[thomeismyhomie]

I dont know about boring but with Ishii and Vic Zambrano Id say paying attention is required cause they have the control of a little leaguer at times.
Ishii is garbage...I mean, at one point in his career, he looked promising, so I guess you never know.


But damn, I remember watching him a few times last year and that is just not a good answer...but again...there isnt a whole lot to be done at this point

[Boik14 is the shiz]

Ishii is garbage...I mean, at one point in his career, he looked promising, so I guess you never know.


But damn, I remember watching him a few times last year and that is just not a good answer...but again...there isnt a whole lot to be done at this pointYeah i tend to agree but its a #5 starter. IMO we'll be seeing stud prospect Yusmerio Petit this year somethime around June/July. Just a hunch. When they realize Ishii isnt the long term answer it'll happen imo.

[thomeismyhomie]

Yeah i tend to agree but its a #5 starter. IMO we'll be seeing stud prospect Yusmerio Petit this year somethime around June/July. Just a hunch. When they realize Ishii isnt the long term answer it'll happen imo.
Yeah, I mean, he isnt much of a dropoff from Trachsel.


Although, Trachsel is a decent pitcher, he was always tough on us I recall.

[Boik14 is the shiz]

Yeah, I mean, he isnt much of a dropoff from Trachsel.


Although, Trachsel is a decent pitcher, he was always tough on us I recall.Naw man, Trax, for all his time consuming games was always reliable for 200 IP's and a 4ish era. Its tough to find a better 5th starter than that. Ishii is...well Ishii. I dont know; maybe Peterson can do something with him.

[thomeismyhomie]

Naw man, Trax, for all his time consuming games was always reliable for 200 IP's and a 4ish era. Its tough to find a better 5th starter than that. Ishii is...well Ishii. I dont know; maybe Peterson can do something with him.
Well thats what I meant, I thought Trachsel was a solid pitcher...but I cant sit here and say I pay 100% attention to him, so I didnt want to start yapping and not really know what the heck I was talking about.


Ishii though, has shown some flashes in the past. You never know. He made quite a splash when he first arrived...maybe he can regain some of that form?


For our sake...I hope not, if you guys get him

[Boik14 is the shiz]

Well thats what I meant, I thought Trachsel was a solid pitcher...but I cant sit here and say I pay 100% attention to him, so I didnt want to start yapping and not really know what the heck I was talking about.


Ishii though, has shown some flashes in the past. You never know. He made quite a splash when he first arrived...maybe he can regain some of that form?


For our sake...I hope not, if you guys get himIts a done deal; Ishii is a met.

He showed flashes like 3 years ago. If flashes is what we're going by Id rather give Jae Seo or Heilmann another shot before dealing for this guy. Oh well. Like i said, maybe peterson has something up his sleeve

[Boik14 is the shiz]

Wow, a thread on this board that made it past 10 posts. That hasnt happened in a while.

[Domino427]

Wow, a thread on this board that made it past 10 posts. That hasnt happened in a while.
haha...sad, but true

BTW, I gotta agree that Mets games wont be quite as boring as in years past. You've got some young, explosive players now, a la Beltran and Wright.

[brainstew]

Is Trax done for the year? I cant remember. If not, Ishii might be a decent pickup, he always seems to pitch well pre-all star break, but sucks post-all star.

[Boik14 is the shiz]

Is Trax done for the year? I cant remember. If not, Ishii might be a decent pickup, he always seems to pitch well pre-all star break, but sucks post-all star.Trax is gone 3-6 months with the back surgery. Hopefully he can get back late Aug-early sept and give us a playoff push. As much as I loathe his 2 mins in between pitches I'd trust him more in a big spot than Ishii or Zambrano