Chris is part of the new set of players that Sandy brought in with some extra intangibles. Chris was the valedictorian in his High School and graduated from Duke University with a degree in economics. The very quick story on Chris is he has had success in his career, being a one time All Star, but he also had Tommy John surgery twice (once in 2002 and again in 2008).
Anyway some background. In 2003, he made his debut with the Diamondbacks. After his first season, he was traded to the Brewers as part of that massive Richard Sexson trade. He remained with the Brewers until this past offseason, where he signed a deal with the Mets. Due to injuries, he actually missed both the 2008 and 2009 season at the major league level, but when he returned last year, in a small sample he put up some good numbers:
Career – 46-52, 4.35 ERA, 777.2 IP, 2.45 K/BB, 7.4 K/9
2010 – 4-4, 3.95 ERA, 66.0 IP, 2.57 K/BB, 7.4 K/9
Anyway, his career numbers and 2010 numbers are pretty solid. For a back of the rotation pitcher, which he is now, I would take those numbers in a heart beat. The challenge for Capuano coming into camp is first he must be better than Dillon Gee, who if he comes out strong, has a good chance of grabbing that last spot and then second, if he makes the rotation of camp, he must be strong in the first half of the season if he wants to stay in the rotation once Johan Santana returns. Capuano though will make a good addition to the pen as a long man and spot starter.
He is one of our question marks, but he is one that we can put a good amount of hope into.
