Mambo... Are We Serious Here?

(Note: A piece from Cheddar Ben appears immediately below.)

Quick post for you here, I just couldn't let this one go. Enrique Rojas has an article up over at ESPN.com about Jose Lima's quest to return to the Major Leages next year.

It turns out Lima's had a fresh run of success in the Dominican winter league this offseason, shining in the Cibao Eagles' title-winning playoff run. Lima went 5-0 with a 1.31 ERA in the Dominican postseason for Cibao.

Those are gaudy numbers. He's not putting them up against major leaguers (though some major leaguers do play in the winter league), but the results are impressive nonetheless. Fair is fair: if Aaron Heilman went 5-0 with a 1.31 ERA in the Dominican league we'd all be pretty pumped.

Add it all up and the man we know as "Lima-Time", who goes by "Mambo" in the Spanish-speaking world, feels he's earned an invite to a major league spring training camp.

"There's still a lot of 'Mambo' left," Lima told ESPNdeportes.com. "My arm feels better than ever, and I've shown that time and again this winter season."

In spite of it all, Mambo's hasn't made any headway with a major league club.

"It's amazing that, with the kind of winter league season I've had, I haven't been invited to anyone's spring training," said Lima. "I've still got the arm strength and confidence to get back to the majors."

Mambo, Mambo, Mambo... you're a great kid. You've got a ton of heart. You're a hell of a personality. Your wife's got a rack that won't quit. But please, are we serious here? Not since Rich Rodriguez have I seen a Met pitcher get beat up so consistently.

As I wrote at the end of the last season, you're the only pitcher I legitimately thought the Mets had no chance to win with. So please, the next time you talk about being a major league pitcher again, do us a favor, would you? Tell us you've been in contact with the Phillies.

In all seriousness, I've gotta quibble with Rojas' article here. The quotes are fine, the statistics he provides are relevant, but there's a major element missing: we need to have some scout reaction. Surely there was one credible talent evaluator who saw Lima Time in action; knowing his input would have added a lot to that post.

So Enrique, if you're reading this, keep that in mind for next time.

As for you Jose, well, hmm... has your wife ever thought of dressing up as Mrs. Claus?

- A.F.O.M.G.

(Images courtesy of mlb.com and deadspin.com)