No Way Jose

“$1.5 Million for one year?  Really?  We are talking about Jose Contreras right?”  That’s what I thought when I saw we signed him this off season.  Never mind the fact that we let Smoltz get away for less last year, or the fact that we, for reasons no thinking human seems to understand, stick with Brad Lidge as our closer.  This is the one that boiled my blood.  Then, I thought, “Maybe I should give him a chance.  Maybe it’ll somehow work out.” 

Then he pitched.  I know it’s only preseason, but that also means he’s facing minor leaguers and hitters who are still battling timing issues.  He has a few weeks head start on them as well.  I know I’m no expert, but last I checked a 14.73 ERA, 8 hits, 6 earned runs in 3.2 innings pitched is not exactly “getting it done”. 

Thank god for Roy Halladay.  24 pitches, 21 for strikes, 3 K’s, 0 hits, 0 balls hit out of the infield in his debut agains the yankees.  Yeah, that will work.