I recall a time when Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez was tiring, and manager Grady Little left him in during this particular game because he didn't trust his bullpen. Needless to say Game Seven of the 2003 ALCS goes into extra-innings, and the next thing you know ... the New York Yankees are heading to the World Series.
Hearing "bullpen by committee" always makes me think back to those 2003 Boston Red Sox. Entering that season, then general manager Theo Epstien said something to the effect they didn't need a closer - that bullpen by committee would work, and serve them well.
Executives lacking a legitimate closer tend to say stuff like that ...
Did he learn his lesson?
In January of 2004, Theo signs free agent reliever Keith Foulke, who went on to save 31 regular season games, and threw the final pitch in the Red Sox 2004 World Series clinching victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Mets have an MLB legitimate closer in Jeurys Familia. Therefore, this has everything to do with Mickey Callaway's and pitching coach Dave Eiland's
plan to implement a closer by committee system - which is quite different than bullpen by committee. Unless you're the 1990 Cincinnati Reds featuring the Nasty Boys; Randy Meyers, Rod Dibble, and Norm Charlton; for me the term bullpen by committee is a nonstarter.
Coach Callaway, however, sounds intent on reviving the old-school role of fireman ... and I'm absolutely cool with that.
How many times have managers held their closer back because it wasn't the ninth inning? And how many potential victories have gone up in smoke as a result?
Of course, every situation is different and therefore such a scheme requires proper planning. But if game threatening conditions present themselves in the seventh/eighth innings, it would occasionally make sense to call upon your fireman. Why not let Jeurys Familia literally and figuratively save the game in the seventh/eighth if needed? If all goes well, the next reliever in line then faces a less dire situation in the ninth inning, preferably against a less imposing portion of the line-up.
I'm indeed agreeable with this thinking, I guess, because what qualifies these days as a save situation, a non-save situation, and the save rule itself (as presently written) is pure science fiction.
Under the old save qualifications, one needed enter with the tying or go-ahead run on base or at the plate; preserve the lead and finish the game; or pitch three full innings while preserving the lead. Today, all a closer must do in order to qualify for a save is simply finish the game and protect a three run lead. This is precisely Goose Gossage's gripe with today's closers - and quite frankly, I agree with him. Goose would routinely put out fires in the seventh or eighth inning, then still pitch the ninth. That also goes for Rollie Fingers as well as other top relievers of that era.
Alas, they were firemen.
We have Tony LaRussa to thank for much of today's bullpen dogma. Above and beyond any of his contemporaries, he's the one most responsible for inaugurating the age of strict relief specialization. He created the one inning/ninth inning role back when he managed the White Sox, then perfected it with the Oakland A's and (HOF) Dennis Eckersley. If you want to partly blame someone for the inane suggestions being floated around to speed up pace of play, he's your guy.
My point is Mickey Callaway's and Dave Eiland's idea is a refreshing break from the modern LaRussa model. As a fan, I know a save when I see one, regardless of the inning. I therefore am in lockstep with Coach Callaway regarding this matter.
As presently constructed, Mets bullpen success lies in the arms of Jeurys Familia, Anthony Swarzak, Jerry Blevins, and AJ Ramos. They will be joined by either Zack Wheeler or Jason Vargas - depending which of the two earns the fifth spot in the starting rotation.
Barring another veteran acquisition, the rest of the bullpen will otherwise be manned by farmed products still attempting to establish themselves - Hansel Robles included. This is where the redundancy of hiring Mickey Callaway and Dave Eiland comes into play. The pitching staff is in better hands due to the simple fact Dan Warthen is gone - no offense intended, but truth is truth. So I'm curious to see how Robles, Paul Sewald, and maybe Cory Oswalt, respond under their tutelage.
Next is the matter of over-taxation. Jerry Blevins is the lone left-hander in the bullpen, which could prove problematic. But there's also Sandy Alderson's information squad whom floated the idea of limiting certain starters to just two turns through the line-up. Metrics in fact indicate a starter's ERA skyrockets when facing line-ups a third time. This strategy potentially applies to Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz, and even Matt Harvey.
All I can say is let's just wait and see what happens.
THE PROBABLE SEVEN
In 2015 and 2016, Familia led the National League in games finished, and in 2016 also led the circuit with 51 saves. However, an arterial clot in Familia's right shoulder limited him to just 26 appearances last season. I still have plenty of confidence in Familia, and so I have no real issues.
On paper, this appears to be a savvy acquisition by Sandy Alderson. Last year was Swarzak's first taste of the National League after previously spending 7 1/2 seasons with the Chicago White Sox. The right-handed 32-year old appeared in 29 games for the Milwaukee Brewers. He posted a 2.48 ERA and 12.11 K/9 average, while allowing 21 hits in 29 innings pitched. In 70 total appearances last season, Swarzak posted a 2.48 ERA and 1.034 WHiP, allowing just 58 hits and fanning 91 batters through 77.1 innings pitched.
Yet, the Brewers granted him his free agency. Money was likely an issue. Swarzak went from earning an average of $900,000 over the last three years, to signing a
two-year $14 million dollar pact with the Mets.
He's strictly a fastball/slider pitcher. He threw his fastball 48.5 percent of the time clocking in at a career high 94.7 mph, and threw his slider at a rate of 51.5 percent, likewise clocking in at a career high 87.1 mph
according to Fangraphs.
Jerry is the lone southpaw of the lot. He has turned in back-to-back solid seasons for the Mets. In 75 appearances and 49 innings pitched, he posted a 2.94 ERA and struck out 69 batters for a 12.7 K/9 average. However, he walked batters at a 4.4 K/9 clip. Walks are always problematic.
His performance slipped last season after his acquisition from Miami, where he owned a 3.73 ERA and a 10.7 K/9 average through 40 games and 39.2 innings pitched. In 21 appearances for the Mets, however, Ramos registered a 4.74 ERA while allowing 19 hits in 19 innings pitched. While he posted an 11.8 K/9 average, last year's 1.632 WHiP is a concern heading into this season.
I truly believe under Mickey Callaway and Dave Eiland, Hansel Robles will take a huge leap forward in his development.
According to Fangraphs he threw his fastball 65.8 percent of the time last season but clocked in at a career low 94 mph. His slider which averaged 85.5 mph accounted for 24.8 percent of his pitches. He otherwise tinkered with a change-up eight percent of the time, which perhaps Callaway and Eiland can help further develop into a viable third pitch.
Sewald made his major league debut last year, and the The Mets are hoping for an improved sophomore season this year. In 57 appearances, he posted a 4.55 ERA, allowed 58 hits, and averaged a 9.5 K/9 over 65.1 innings pitched. He offsets a 92 mph fastball, with an 83 mph change and slider -
Fangraph. I'll be paying close attention to his development under Callaway and Eiland.
Oswalt was the Mets seventh round selection in the 2012 amateur draft. Last season was his first stint at double-A Binghamton where he posted a 12-5 record in 24 starts, with a 2.28 ERA and 1.176 WHiP over 134.1 innings pitched. He was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year, and the Sterling Organizational Pitcher of the Year. For the moment, the Mets starting rotation is well stocked. Therefore Oswalt's spring training performance will perhaps dictate whether he returns to Binghamton to resume work as a starter, or if he makes the club and pitches out of the bullpen.
THE USUAL REINFORCEMENTS
- Seth Lugo
- Robert Gsellman
- Rafael Montero
ACQUISITIONS
- Twenty-three year old Jamie Callahan was acquired from the Red Sox in the Addison Reed deal. He owns a 4.71 ERA in 384 innings pitched over six minor league seasons.
- Twenty-four year old Jacob Rhame was acquired from the Dodgers in the Curtis Granderson deal. He owns a 3.07 ERA in 261 innings pitched over five minor league seasons.
