Subway Series: Mediocrity Running Wild

From the desks of:  

HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Yankees lead series 2-1

I - NYY 6; NYM 5*

II - NYM 7; NYY 1

III - NYY 9; NYM 5

*10 innings

SUBWAY SERIES

New York Mets

vs.

New York Yankees

FROM

Yankee Stadium

River Avenue, Bronx

Game One Final

NYY  6

NYM 5

10 innings

The Yankees extended their win streak to three games on Monday with an extra inning 6-5 victory over the hosting Mets.

Logan Verrett did well in his head-to-head match-up against C.C. Sabathia.  Logan allowed three earned runs on four hits and three walks, with four strikeouts through five full innings of work, but left on the losing side of a (then) 3-2 game.

It wasn't till the sixth inning that Mets fortunes, and C.C. Sabathia's for that matter, changed when   frequent call-up Matt Reynolds connected on a three run home run, making it a 5-3 Mets lead.

Sabathia then walked pinch hitter Steven Matz (Game Three's starting pitcher) earning him Joe Girardi's hook.  All told, C.C. was tagged for five runs on eight hits, walked three, and fanned five over 5.2 innings pitched.

Luck, however, was fickle this evening, tapping Mets relievers Jerry Blevins and Addison Reed on the shoulder.  Both each allowed a run during a Yankees two-run eighth inning, tying the game at five.

Seth Lugo earned the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning.

After hitting seven home runs in July, Wilmer Flores hit his first home run of August in the second inning off Sabathia.

Game Two Final

NYY  1

NYM 7

Tuesday's start was a test of sorts for Jacob deGrom, who passed with flying colors.  He battled lat issues early in the season, and now believes he's conquered some mechanical issues.

Against the Yankees, deGrom tossed seven shutout innings, while limiting the Yankees to just four hits and a walk.   He threw 103 pitches, with 69 going for strikes, and fanned eight batters.  

Jacob improved his record to 7-5, and sports a stellar 2.41 ERA.

The game marked Jay Bruce's first in a Mets uniform.  Acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for second base prospect Dilson Hererra, Bruce went 0 for 4 in his Mets debut.  He saw a total of 13 pitches and fanned twice.

With the exception of 2014, Bruce has hit at least 20 home runs in each of his nine MLB seasons.   He's presently leading the National League with 80 RBI, and is believed he'll provide the Mets a formidable one-two punch from each side of the plate when combined with Yoenis Cespedes.

Game Three Final

NYM 5

NYY  9

Ugly is as ugly does.

In truth, both teams played terribly, but I only root for one of them...

Was Steven Matz' 20th start of the season an omen?  Apocalyptic nightmare?  Not quite, but allowing six runs on six hits and a walk, with six strikeouts through six innings pitched was eerily unsettling.

The newly assembled one-two punch of Yoenis Cespedes and Jay Bruce lasted one game.  Yoenis is heading to the disabled list (with the other guys...) after "tweaking" his ailing quadriceps during his last at-bat in the ninth inning.  

It can be argued the Mets were foolish for devising this play/rest plan of DH'ing him against the Yankees and Tigers in the first place.  While the greater baseball establishment agrees total rest is the only effective remedy for quad strains, once again the Mets opt for playing injury roulette.  They have now exacerbated the situation, and prolonged their agony.  Meanwhile, Yoenis Cespedes' habitual golf playing requires an entirely different conversation.

The Mets offense otherwise continually shot themselves in the foot Wednesday night, essentially letting Yankees starter Chad Green repeatedly escape disaster by rolling over pitches and grounding into numerous double plays through the early innings of play.

  

Then there's Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, who defeated the Mets in more ways than one.   His three run home off Steven Matz in the second inning would ultimately prove the decisive blow of the game, but he also created some drama, and added a little comic relief into the fray.

With the very first pitch in Tex's very next at-bat, Steven Matz hit him in the leg with a pitch, of which Teixeira took exception, and very emphatically exhibited his displeasure.  Both benches and bullpens emptied, but cooler New York City heads prevailed.

The foolishness, however, didn't stop there.  The Yankees loaded the bases in the seventh inning with Hansel Robles on the mound and Teixeira the base runner on second.  In short, Robles thought Tex was stealing signs, and completely let Teixeira screw with his concentration.

Southpaw reliever Josh Edgin is back, making his first appearance for the Mets since undergoing Tommy John surgery.  He walked the lone batter he faced.

No one is complaining, but Jay Bruce is now 0 for 8 with a walk and three strikeouts though his first two games with the Mets.

NEW YORK METS           55-52

NEW YORK YANKEES    54-53

Extra Innings: Baseball's Most Prolific Bench Warmer

ICYMI

N.Y. Yankees: Hal Steinbrenner Backs Brian Cashman 

The Yankees were home, facing a lefty, yet Alex Rodriguez didn't even get his cleats dirty.  I question whether the Yankees front office think his skills are that badly diminished, whether they are holding a grudge against him, or if they are purposely preventing him from hitting home run number 700 of his career.  He would be the fourth player in history to do so, joining Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, and Barry Bonds.  Yet, the lack of attention is deafening.  Hell, the club may very well even be trying to frustrate him into retiring.

The Mets will start Bartolo Colon in Thursday's series finale against whom Alex Rodriguez has enjoyed great success throughout his career.  It will be interesting to see if Alex is thrown a bone.

N.Y. Mets: On Antonio Bastardo

Here's my latest for 

RisingApple.com

Are The Mets Feeling Buyer's Remorse 

After Signing Antonio Bastardo?

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

Mets Continue July Surge Against Washington

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Mets win series opener 9-7 over Washington Nationals;

close to within three games of first place.

NEW YORK METS: Amazin' bats back in the swing of things, providing more leads, which means more Jeurys Familia, in turn producing more wins.

The 2016 regular season continues its near mirror imaging of last year, statistically speaking that is.

Only major difference being Terry's Kids lacked major league quality bats last year (prior to the trade deadline), meanwhile entered this season with quality major league personnel, but remain helpless against ever mounting and ruinous injuries affecting their key personnel.

Yet, to borrow a descriptive from last season, the Mets have remained resilient throughout.

The Amazin's entered Thursday's game against the first place Nationals with a 46-38 record, four games behind in the standings.  At face value, not a bad place to be.  Then Jose Reyes and Wilmer Flores both homered to help push the Mets by Washington in their series opener at Citi Field.

Rewind just a few games, and the Mets owned a 44-37 record through 81 games, compared to last year's 43-41 record by the midway point.

For a second straight season, pitching is the Mets forte.  Similarly, look no further than the offense for what has gone both right and wrong for the Mets.

National League

• April - #7 runs scored, #7 team average (.255)
• May - #13 runs scored, #15 team average (.211)
• June - #15 runs scored, #13 team average (.235)
• July - #1 runs scored, #1 team average

Month by Month Record

• April - 2015 (15-8); 2016 (15-7)
• May - 2015 (13-15); 2016 (14-15)
• June - 2015 (12-15); 2016 (12-15)
• July - 2015 (13-12); 2016 (6-1) and counting...

The Phantom Mets Menace

It's clear as the line-up goes, so go the Mets.  But the underlying reality suggests their very strength is fast becoming a major issue.  

Matt Harvey's addition to the disabled list is merely the latest injury seemingly conspiring against the Mets' defense of their National League pennant.  Only now he's facing season ending surgery, again, meanwhile, everyone continues crossing their fingers with every anxiety riddled Steven Matz start that goes by.

They could conceivably be in need of not just one, or two, but three starting pitchers in the months to come, unless Sandy Alderson acts prior to the deadline.

This, unfortunately, is also an untimely consequence of trading pitching prospects, which, in the Mets particular instance helped build them into a contender.  That said, they do not have anything near the likes of Michael Fulmer pitching at Las Vegas ready to step in.  I mean no disrespect, but, Seth Lugo, Rafael Montero, and/or Gabriel Ynoa, simply do not satisfy the Mets potential needs as defending N.L. champs.

Worth noting, this year's non waiver trade deadline has been pushed up to Monday, Aug. 1, to avoid the more familiar July 31 cutoff from falling on a Sunday.  After a fine off-season, the Mets front office stayed reactive as injuries mounted with the acquisitions of James Loney, Kelly Johnson, and Jose Reyes.  The big question, then, over the next three weeks will be ... what more can (or will) they do?

At the same time, it's worth pondering how much the potential returns of Zack Wheeler and Josh Edgin might help the Mets in the months to come.  They could effectively become two much needed acquisitions, in a manner of speaking.  Edgin is performing well during his assignment with Las Vegas, and is closer to returning than Wheeler, whom suffered a slight setback during his rehab, and had his potential return date pushed back to at least August.

METS 2016 ALL-STARS

• Noah Syndergaard (23 years old) is the Mets ace.  That is no longer open for debate.  Thor presently sports a 9-3 record with a 2.41 ERA, 1.06 WHiP, and 1.89 FIP.  In 101 innings pitched to date, Noah has fanned 123 batters for an 11.0 K/9 average, complemented by a low 1.3 W/9 average.

• Despite needing a cool nickname, Jeurys Familia (26 years old) appears fully immersed in the role of Closer now in his second full season serving the role.  Thursday against the Nationals, Jeurys saved his franchise record extending 31st save without blowing a single opportunity all season.  That gives him 74 saves in just the last 1 1/2 seasons.

• Yoenis Cespedes (30 years old) has been worthy of ever dollar spent on the muscle.   Representing the Mets in the batting order, he'll be the National League's starting left fielder in this year's All-Star game.  Yo is presently slashing .303/.373/.585, with 21 home runs and 52 RBI, ranking him second in the circuit in slugging and fourth in home runs.

• Congratulations Terry Collins, manager of this year's National League All-Star squad.

We Are Familia..

I heard Jim Duquette a few nights ago on SNY-TV say Noah Syndergaard was the Mets first half MVP.  That's hard to debate, but I will nevertheless side with closer Jeurys Familia as the Mets first half MVP.

After splitting four games against the Braves, then getting swept by the Nationals, Familia essentially ignited this most recent string of eight victories over their last nine games, when, he closed out the Chicago Cubs during their series opener with what can be argued as the team's biggest save of the 2016 season - Familia's 27th.

The Mets went on to sweep four games from the Cubs, take two of three from the Marlins, and win Thursday's rematch opener against the Nationals, in which Familia notched his aforementioned 31st save of the season.

N.Y. Mets: Reemergence of Josh Edgin could make club rethink Antonio Bastardo

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

The weakest link in the Mets bullpen chain snapped 

in 5-2 loss against the last place Braves Sunday afternoon in Atlanta.

NEW YORK METS: Someone please stop Antonio Bastardo before he causes any more damage..

Sunday in Atlanta, Roosevelt Avenue urban legend Bartolo Colon lowered his ERA to a heroic 2.86 mark after limiting the Braves to a run on six hits and a walk over seven innings pitched, with two strikeouts, yet exited the game on the losing side of a then 1-0 game.

At the very least, the afternoon perfectly demonstrated how an amazingly anemic offense through May and June has exacted a measurable toll on the Mets starting pitching, and the team's overall division standing.

It's a condition which in turn revealed the bullpen as the main reason why the Mets remained above .500 through Spring, and why they still find themselves within reach of first place today.

But how much longer can this last?

In a typical baseball year, the bullpen is most usually a team's major point of contention.  Yet, despite numerous injuries affecting the Mets active roster this season, their pen has generally remained surprisingly healthy, and indeed emerged to become the team strength.

Only recently, did Jim Henderson become the first real casualty to speak of.  Otherwise, the other main members of the relief corp - Jeurys Familia, Addison Reed, Hansel Robles, Jerry Blevins, and Antonio Bastardo - have been available throughout.

Jeurys Familia, in particular, has been perfect.  The closer nailed down his 26th consecutive save in 26 save opportunities Saturday night in Atlanta, thus setting the Mets all-time record previously held by Armando Benitez.

Next in, Jerry Blevins has undoubtedly been among the Mets most effective relievers this season, along with Addison Reed and Hansel Robles.

The aforementioned relievers all took their turn having a one bad month out of three, but otherwise performed well for at least two - all except for Henderson and Bastardo, that is.

The Mets were taking a known gamble with Jim Henderson, who previously underwent right shoulder surgery in 2014, and spent all of 2015 rehabbing.  After posting a 1.08 ERA in April, his campaign turned for the worse, again, when ultimately he was determined to be suffering an impingement in his right shoulder.  Henderson was placed on the disabled list earlier this week, and replaced on the roster with lefty Sean Gilmartin.

Antonio Bastardo, however, has no such excuse.  He's is a 30 year old, eight year major league veteran who previously enjoyed personal success with the Phillies and Pirates.  His velocity is still on par with previous seasons, but the 2016 season has so far easily been his worst. Antonio is teetering near career highs in ERA, FIP, WHIP, W/9 average, H/9 average, and near career low levels in K/9 average, and K/W ratio.

After posting a 2.61 ERA in April, Bastardo registered a 5.73 ERA in May and presently owns a 5.40 ERA in June, for a bullpen topping overall 5.46 ERA.  Based on his performance alone, it would appear Antonio Bastardo is most responsible for the Mets swollen bullpen ERA since April, barring anyone named Henderson, that is.

APRIL/N.L.

• Team Slugging 4th
• Runs Scored - 7th
• Bullpen ERA - 2.52

MAY/N.L.

• Team Slugging - 11th
• Runs Scored - 13th
• Bullpen ERA - 3.70

JUNE/N.L.

• Team Slugging - 13th
• Runs Scored - 15th
• Bullpen ERA - 3.24

In 1.2 innings covering his last three appearances, Bastardo allowed five earned runs on five hits and one walk, with one strikeout, one HBP, and a balk to boot.  The latter happened during Sunday's meltdown, in which Antonio failed to retire a batter in relief of Bartolo Colon in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Braves.

After surrendering a lead-off infield single to Ender Inciarte, Antonio mindlessly balked him over to second with a fake throw to first - of all things.  Bastardo then walked Freddie Freeman.  Having clearly lost his bearing, Antonio ignored shouts, and ponderously allowed Inciarte to freely wander far off second base, and easily steal third.  Naturally, Ender Inciate then scored on Nick Markakis' single, putting an end to Bastardo's day, and giving the Braves a 2-0 lead en route to an eventual 5-2 Atlanta victory.

His acquisition was originally hailed as a savvy move.  Three months into this, though, he's done everything to strain the patience of all concerned.  Now, his ineffectiveness, and his contract, have unfortunately created a problem, that could, and should be rectified, but can't.

Or can it?

There might come a time in the near future (before the trade deadline) when the Mets should revisit their contractual obligation to Antonio Bastardo by either trading him, or eating the money and releasing him.  He is due the balance of this year's $6 million salary, and another $6 million next year.

It's worth considering for several reasons, chief among them is Josh Edgin.

Unlike Zack Wheeler, Josh Edgin's comeback efforts have gone more smoothly.  Wheeler was expected to rejoin the Mets perhaps by July but unfortunately suffered a setback during his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery.  Edgin, meanwhile, has so far registered 25 combined and unhindered appearances with Port St. Lucie, but primarily for the Las Vegas 51s.

Edgin last featured a 93 mph fastball, and 85 mph slider and change-up in 2014 for the Mets.  After missing all of 2015, the southpaw so far has made 19 appearances for Las Vegas, where he presently owns a 1.93 ERA over 14 innings pitched, with 14 hits and 6 walks allowed, 18 strikeouts, a 1.286 WHiP, and an 11.6 K/9 average.

Why wouldn't his reemergence benefit the Mets, and maybe even force the front office's hand with regards to Antonio Bastardo?  The Mets have played 73 games to date, putting the midway point of the season just eight more games away.  So heading into the July non-waiver trade deadline, the idea is to take stock and formulate a plan for improving the team.  In fact, Mets COO, Jeff Wilpon, voiced a willingness to do just that.

There are many ways in which to win championships, National League or otherwise.  Throughout recent modern history, I've witnessed how bullpens can carry teams deep into post-season play, and even secure titles.  If the Mets can't slug their way to another National League pennant, as originally designed, then the bullpen scenario could very well become the Mets only recourse.

In Jeurys Familia, Addison Reed, Bobby Blevins, and young Hansel Robles, the Mets just might have the four horsemen to pull this off yet.  But they'll need help.  Assuming they remain healthy, the key for Sandy Alderson will lie in assembling a final group for the home stretch.

His options at Las Vegas are truly limited.  To begin with, the 51s are second to last in the Pacific Coast League with a 5.36 team ERA.

Logan Verrett, Erik Goeddel, perhaps Rafael Montero, and maybe even a fresh face in Vegas prospect Paul Sewald are left competing for one last right-handed spot.

Meanwhile, the Mets were already dealing with limited resources from the left side to begin with.  After Bastardo and Jerry Blevins, they retained Sean Gilmartin at Las Vegas in reserve, who has since been called up for active duty.   Otherwise, Josh Edgin represents a fourth known, and viable left-hander at the Mets disposal.   Beyond him, the Mets would be delving into the likes of Dario Alvarez.

Sandy Alderson, therefore, has an age old dilemma on his hands.  Does he address known deficiencies, or further bolster a team strength?  The acquisition of Jose Reyes just may have made that decision much easier to make.  I would suggest, then, Sandy Alderson make an aggressive search for quality relief pitching between now and the July trade deadline.  What they lack in offense, they can make up for by shortening games into proverbial six inning affairs.

In the meantime, if I were allowed to hit the delete button and reorganize the bullpen, Antonio would not make my top seven:

• Closer - Jeurys Familia
• RHP - Addison Reed
• RHP - Hansel Robles
• RHP - Logan Verrett (Jim Henderson)
• LHP - Jerry Blevins
• LHP - Sean Gilmartin
• LHP - Josh Edgin

It's doubtful Bastardo would ever agree to a minor league demotion, therefore Sandy Alderson's options are limited, but clear.

This has fast become a situation where addition by subtraction would seemingly benefit the Mets.

Then again, I could be wrong.  But I doubt it.

For Rising Apple: Trading Kevin Plawecki Would Be A Bad Idea

Here's my latest for

RisingApple.com 

Trading Kevin Plawecki Is A Bad Idea

Podcast from Thursday, February 26th.
Fellow RA writer Rich and I talking Mets baseball for 90 minutes.

Episode #94, the Rising Apple Report: Camp Bravado Is Open For Business

Mike

senior writer/Rising Apple

Today for Rising Apple: The Mets Need Another Established Lefty For The Bullpen

Here's my latest for

RisingApple.com

The Mets Needs Another Established Lefty For The Bullpen

Mike

senior staff writer/RisingApple

N.Y. Mets: 2013 Bullpen

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET


NEW YORK METS - Building A Better Bullpen.


The bad news - Bobby Parnell blew Wednesday's Grapefruit League game.  The good news - only 3,908 fans saw it.  Of course that's unfair to say.  But it's spring training for fans too.  I'm just trying to get in shape - like Sandy's bullpen remix.  Compared to last year's unit, and despite Frank Francisco's prolonged elbow issue, you can't help but feel a little better about this year's group of bullpen candidates.  Despite taking a cheap shot at Parnell, Wednesday was his first hiccup in Grapefruit League action.  Prior to surrendering four runs (three earned) against the Nats, Bobby hadn't allowed an earned run in six innings.  Until Frank Francisco is game ready, Bobby Parnell is still tentatively scheduled to start the season as the Mets closer.


From the right side, Brandon Lyon and Scott Atchison have combined to pitch nine innings.  They've allowed five hits and three earned runs.  Together they have issued one walk and struck out five.


Corey Mazzoni is certainly doing enough to earn a seat on the bus trip back north.  But will the Mets allow the clock on this twenty-three year old to start ticking so soon?  Or will the club delay his MLB debut till late April or beyond, as the rules for service time change?  Although he escaped the first round of 40-man roster cuts, odds are Corey starts the season in Las Vegas.  In 2012, Mazzoni pitched in twelve games at St. Lucie, then made fourteen appearances at Binghamton.  So far, Corey has participated in four Grapefruit games, compiling seven strikeouts in eight innings pitched.


In truth, Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia remain as unfamiliar to us as they were two years ago, when we were hyping them as the future.  At least with Familia, we are starting to get a regular view.  He has tossed six innings so far, allowing three hits, and striking out four.  Jenrry Mejia, however, has been limited to two innings so far.  Visa issues caused him to arrive late to camp.  Jenrry then missed time when he was discovered to have a hyper-active thyroid gland.  He has since been cleared to resume his life and told to lay off the seafood.


It is hard to say where Greg Burke; the sub-mariner; stands in the eyes of Sandy Alderson.  In 6.1 innings, he has allowed seven hits and four earned runs.  However, he struck out eight with no walks.  His ERA sits at a lofty 5.68 mark.  And lastly, LaTroy Hawkins seems to have made a friend in Terry Collins.


I think the Mets have issues from the left side.  As their top southpaw, Josh Edgin has been getting hit around some, allowing nine hits in six innings of work.  The Mets are hoping he avoids a sophomore slump as it relates to hurlers.  After stepping in last year in the manner which he did, Edgin made himself indispensable to the Mets entering this season.  Robert Carson hasn't fared much better.  In seven innings, he has allowed eight hits, and five earned runs.  Third in, free agent pick-up Aaron Laffey is yet to surrender an earned run in 5.2 innings pitched, but has allowed seven hits.


With all due respect to Pedro Feliciano, you would be hard pressed to find another left-hander headed north with the team.  It is hard to say what Pedro can offer the Mets.  My guess is, not much; not this time.  The other lefty the Mets had in camp was Darin Gorski, who was re-assigned to AA-Binghamton along with some of his fellow Spring mates.


As part of the first round of cuts to get within the 40-man limit, the Mets re-assigned Gonzalez Germen, and Gorski as mentioned, to Binghamton.  Colin McHugh, Elvin Ramirez, and most notably, Zach Wheeler, have been re-assigned to AAA-Las Vegas.  Hansel Robles gets a promotion from Brooklyn, to Savannah.



Mike.BTB

New York Mets: The Bullpen 2013

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Spring Training - Pitchers And Catchers - 2013

 

Part II - THE BULLPEN

PART I - Starting Pitchers and Catchers

NEW YORK METS - Please Pardon The Appearance.  Bullpen Still Under Reconstruction.


The Mets aren't looking for government handouts to help pay off their debts.  But their bullpen desperately needs relief assistance in the worst way.  Truth is, there are no readily available answers for their dilemma.  While the Mets aren't the only team to suffer this calamity, it just goes to show the value of a good, reliable closer.  This also goes to show how great the Mariano Rivera's in life really are.  Sorry for the cross town reference. 


Sandy Alderson tried renovating the bullpen last season..., remember?  Frank Francisco remains his largest free agent signing to date.  And I do mean large.  The Mets were not happy Frank-Frank showed up in camp last season out of shape.  His two injuries and subsequent surgery only exasperated an already terrible season.  He made forty eight appearances and only recorded twenty three saves.  That's a low save-to-game rate by any measure.  His 5.53 ERA was equally disheartening.  But he's back!  And he says He Is The Closer!  His manager Terry Collins (who's contract status beyond this season is still unresolved), agrees with Frankie.  However, Sandy Alderson, in so many words, expressed a lack of confidence in his 2012 acquisition.


Based primarily because Sandy Alderson signed Francisco to a two year $12 million dollar deal, he gets to survive the purge.  Relieved of their duties over the course of 2012 are - D.J. Carrasco, Miguel Batista, Ramon Ramirez, Jon Rauch, and Manny Acosta.  Tim Byrdak was originally set free by the Mets, but was re-signed to a free agent contract in December.


So if you're Sandy Alderson, how do you rebuild another bullpen?  Well, you put on your mining hat, and start prospecting the baseball landscape for pitchers....again.  The Mets took not one, but two looks at ex-Giants closer, Brian Wilson.  Several teams seemed interested in at least monitoring a private work-out held by Wilson.  But so far he has failed to impress anyone, especially for the guaranteed money he is reportedly seeking.  There were also rumors swirling the Mets could be considering failed ex-Detroit closer, Jose Valverde.  Those two examples are another way of saying - Yes Mets fans, the bullpen will be a source of agitation..., again.


LAST YEAR'S RETURNING PITCHERS:  Frank Rodriguez - Bobby Parnell - Robert Carson - Elvin Ramirez - Josh Edgin - Jeremy Hefner - and I'll include Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia.  All eight are on the active roster.


TRANSACTIONS:  Signed back in November to a free agent contract, Greg Burke is now on the 40-man active roster.  Additionally, Brandon Lyon signed a free agent contract with the Mets earlier this month.  He is on the 40-man active roster as well.


In addition to Burke and Lyon, Sandy Alderson signed six other pitchers over the winter to free agent contracts.  Scott Atchison, Pedro Feliciano, LaTroy Hawkins, and Carlos Torres are all non-roster invitees this winter/spring.  Aaron Laffey, and Tim Byrdak as noted, were also signed to free agent contracts back in December.  In one other free agent transaction, Alderson signed Dario Alvarez who will likely be assigned to low A-ball.


Who is the Closer?


If you're asking Frankie and Terry Collins, we already know the answer.  But Sandy has made his opinion well known.  The GM's acquisition of Brandon Lyon speaks very loudly.  Both pitchers throw from the right side.  So there can only be one - not a tandem.  This looks like a situation where the Mets will just pitch the hot hand, and be satisfied with depth.  Bobby Parnell is still good for the occasional spot save.


Frank Francisco is reportedly healthy now.  Ideally that should enhance his performance over last season.  If he can regain the form he displayed in Texas, the Mets would benefit handsomely.  His ability to strike out batters is still in tact.  He demonstrated that last season.  But he has to get his walks under control.  Last season, his hits allowed per nine innings also sky rocketed.  That needs to change as well if he is to claim and hold the closers role.


Perhaps Brandon Lyon is the more adaptable of the two.  He served as both closer and set-up man on his previous teams.  Make no mistake however.  He was signed to pose a direct challenge to Frank Francisco and the closers role.  Serving in set-up roles in both Houston and Toronto in 2012, he appeared in 67 games and pitched 61 innings.  He posted a combined 4-2 record, one save, with a 3.10 ERA.  Brandon allowed 57 hits, walked 20, good for a 1.246 WHiP, and struck out 63 batters.  He averaged 8.3 hits per nine innings, 3.0 walks, and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings.  He saved 14 games in 2005, and notched 26 saves in 2008, both for Arizona.  In 2010, he posted 20 saves for Houston.


Bobby Parnell is coming off arguably his best season as a pro.  As a small reward, Parnell and the Mets avoided salary arbitration and reached agreement on a one year $1.7 million dollar deal.  Bobby is the Mets incumbent top set-up option.  The difference between being good and great for Bobby Parnell is that darn thing he calls a curve ball.  Let's call it for what it is - when he uses it late in the count, breaking ball is ineffectual and easy to lay off.  His curve is too horizontal - it's a slurve.  His curve is not the more classic twelve to six type curve ball; or even one to seven; or even two to eight.  Batters wait for the fast ball - foul off about four or so, then hurt him.  In other words, his lack of a better curve ball allows hitters to linger in the box.  Therein lies the knock on Bobby Parnell.  He still lacks an out-pitch.


Looking Left:


By default, Josh Edgin and Robert Carson will head north with the club.  They are lefties.  Nuf ced.  But seriously, Josh Edgin looks like a real keeper.  He capped off a handsome three year minor league career with last season's call up to Flushing.  His walks allowed spiked in Buffalo last year.  But on the big club, he actually brought his rate down by a full walk allowed per nine innings pitched.  In 25.2 innings for the Mets, he only allowed 19 hits and struck out 30 batters.


We won't hold Robert Carson's call-up against him.  After a few minor league seasons not really flourishing as a starting pitcher, the Mets converted Carson into a reliever last year.  In a split season between Binghamton and Buffalo, Carson posted a 3.86 ERA, and recorded 10 saves.  He also posted a combined 1.597 WHiP last season.  And after six minor league seasons, his career 1.521 WHiP is still unrepresentative of major league standard.


The third key left handed pitcher in the bullpen equation might again be Pedro Feliciano.  What he has left remains to be seen.  What we do know is that he is coming off a lot of rest at the Yankees expense.  Between 2008 and 2010, the Mets ran this guy into the ground.  He led the majors with 266 appearances over that three year span, with a high of 92 games in 2010.  Heading into 2011, Pedro Feliciano declined the Mets offer of salary arbitration, and signed a two year $8 million dollar pact  with the Bombers.  He got injured before the 2011 season began, and wound up never throwing a pitch for the Yankees.  He subsequently underwent rotator cuff surgery.  He'll be thirty-seven years old in August.


Also lurking around camp seeking employment are right handers Tim Byrdak and Aaron Laffey.


Looking Right:


RIGHT - Frank Francisco; Brandon Lyon; Bobby Parnell; Jeurys Familia; Jenrry Mejia.


Scott Atchison is thirty-six years old but coming off his best MLB season with the Red Sox.  In 42 appearances, he posted a 1.58 ERA in 51.1 innings.  He limited hitters to 42 hits and walked 9 for a stellar 0.994 WHiP, and struck out 36 batters.  Where is the red flag?  He is a fourteen year career minor leaguer, who missed all of the 2006, 2008, and 2009 regular seasons.


There's a reason LaTroy Hawkins has pitched for eight different teams since leaving the Minnesota Twins.......


The Mets brought Jeremy Hefner over from the Padres system.  He is still "only" twenty-six years old with no MLB experience to speak of.  But he has the potential to make LaTroy Hawkins look good by comparison.


Remember Elvin Ramirez?  In 21.1 innings last season for the Mets, he walked 20, and struck out 22 batters.  After five unremarkable years in the Mets low minors, last season was somewhat of a break-out season for the twenty-five year old.  While at Buffalo, he posted a 2.36 ERA in 33 games, and 42 innings pitched.  He struck out 41 batters.


Looking Forward:


So who do you trust?  I think Francisco will be better than people think.  Or at least better than last season.  Brandon Lyon is a fine addition - a very good decision.  And together, the Mets have two viable options to close games.  Depth is good either way you shake it.  Of course, I am still an unabashed Bobby Parnell fan.  And as noted above, Josh Edgin looks like a quality pitcher.  Without delving into the potential future roles of Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia, the list of pitchers I trust stops there.


The rest have some proving to do.





Mike.BTB