Page 19 - ARUBA TODAY

A19
SPORTS Tuesday 17 december 2019
Rick Porcello, Mets finalize $10M, 1-year contract

course this season that I cally when things are off, it Porcello has a 149-118 re-
think contributed to some starts to affect higher think- cord and 4.36 ERA overall.
of the struggles that I had," ing on the mound, and Thinking back to Boston's
he said. then the mental stuff starts win over Houston in the
"I've got a pretty good to go a little bit. But it was 2018 AL Championship Se-
grasp on what was going just a matter of not being in ries, he didn't recall any
on, the mechanical side of position to execute pitch- questionable sign stealing
things. I think that mechani- es," he said attempts by the Astros.q

In this Sept. 8, 2019, file photo, Boston Red Sox's Rick Porcello
pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the
New York Yankees, in Boston.
Associated Press

By RONALD BLUM Mets pitcher Al Leiter, now
AP Baseball Writer a New York baseball op-
NEW YORK (AP) — Rick Por- erations adviser, helped re-
cello's $10 million deal with cruit him. Porcello remem-
the New York Mets shows bered going to a game
the fruits of free agency as when Mike Piazza went
much as Gerrit Cole's $324 deep.
million contract across "Watching him in person
town with the Yankees. be able to hit a home run
While Cole set a record, lo- at Shea Stadium was a
cation was among Porcel- huge thrill for me," Porcello
lo's primary concerns. recalled, adding the 2000
"I live about an hour away NL pennant and Subway
from Citi Field," he said Series against the Yankees
Monday after the Mets was another thrill.
announced his contract. "Just kind of being a fan
"That opportunity of hav- along for that ride was
ing the hometown com- absolutely incredible
fort, the ability for my father experience,'"he said.
and family and friends to A right-hander who turns 31
be able to come and see on Dec. 27, Porcello joins a
these games in person and rotation that includes Ja-
be get to experience it a lit- cob deGrom and Noah
tle bit more live, were pret- Syndergaard plus fellow
ty deciding factors for me." New York-area natives
Porcello lives in Morristown, Marcus Stroman and Ste-
New Jersey, and was at ven Matz, who grew up on
Seton Hall Prep in West Or- Long Island.
ange when Detroit select- Michael Wacha, who
ed him with the 27th overall agreed to a $3 million deal
pick of the 2007 amateur last week, also hopes to
draft. He was traded to earn a rotation spot, and
Boston after the 2014 sea- Seth Lugo and Robert
son and was guaranteed Gsellman also preparing
$95 million by the Red Sox for spring training as start-
over the next five seasons. ers.
He won the AL Cy Young "I think we're probably the
Award with a 22-4 record in deepest starting pitching
2016 and was 17-7 in 2018, rotation in baseball," gen-
when he earned a World eral manager Brodie Van
Series ring. Wagenen said last week.
"This is a big deal for me," Porcello was 14-12 with a
he said. "I grew up a life- 5.52 ERA in 32 starts last sea-
long Mets fan as a kid, and son. He has started throw-
now to get the opportunity ing earlier this offseason
to play for the organiza- and instituted new drills.
tion that I cheered on for "There's kind of a long list
so many years is a huge of things, honestly, from
honor." the offseason leading into
New York was the first team spring training, and then
to contact Porcello during certain things that kind of
free agency and former happened throughout the