Capuano says he is healthy and optimistic
Mets pitcher Chris Capuano has sailed through his initial bullpen sessions in spring training. (Jan. 24, 2011) Credit: Ed Betz
The pervading perception of the Mets' offseason moves, after a fourth straight playoff-less season, is this: They went bargain basement, dipped into the "irregular'' bin and came up with has-beens and maybes.
Chris Capuano, the lefthander signed earlier this month, said Monday he doesn't mind being viewed as a reclamation project . . . because he is.
"Coming back from injuries, you know you're going to have to earn it a little more,'' said Capuano, who pitched in 24 games (nine starts) for the Brewers after missing the previous two seasons recovering from a second Tommy John surgery. "That's just the nature of the beast.''
The pitcher addressed a group of students at Cold Spring Harbor High School as part of the "Action Team'' program.
With Johan Santana starting the season on the disabled list and only three (perhaps, two-and-a-half) certainties in Mike Pelfrey, R.A. Dickey and Jon Niese returning to the starting rotation, the Mets inked Capuano and Chris Young, injury-prone former All-Stars, to low-base deals with performance kickers. Capuano's contract reportedly guarantees $1.5 million and could reach $4.5 million should he pitch 200 innings - something he hasn't done since 2006.
"You're going to get contracts that are more incentive-laden, and I don't have a problem with that,'' said Capuano, 32, who hurt the elbow while experimenting with curveballs during spring training in 2008. "I'm just thankful about the opportunity to come here and start.''
Opportunities weren't assured two years ago, when the pitcher gave serious thought to his post-baseball career.
He had a solid comeback in 2010, going 4-4 with a respectable 3.95 ERA (1.30 WHIP), including 3-3 with a 4.14 ERA as a starter.
"I feel 100 percent,'' Capuano said. "Last year, I came back and felt strong starting. From a strength standpoint, my body feels as good as it ever has.''
Capuano has worked with former Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson and said his velocity, usually in the high 80s, has upped a few ticks and he can now touch 90 mph.
But what of the Phillies, the NL East rival that landed the slightly more accomplished lefty in free agency?
"They're obviously stacked in their starting rotation and have a great team,'' Capuano said. "But you never know.
"Every year you don't make the playoffs, it's almost like a very mild form of dying. Then spring comes and it's like rebirth. It's a clean slate, a new chance to do something great."
Well, optimism is a start.
