And Mahay pitched most of his career in severe hitters parks. So of course his WHIP is gong to be higher. He also fits my criteria of 2 out 3 years being good in terms of ERA and WHIP.

Feliciano also fits since all but one of his years was good (I’m excluding his first year when he only pitched 6 innings).

While 3 of those mentioned were mets in ‘07, only two of them pitched this year. So, no, the Mets bullpen was NOT good this year and if you think so then maybe you were not watching the games very carefully.

So that’s 10 pitchers that I came up with in just minutes. There are undoubtedly more. The point still stands, it’s utter cr@p that all middle relievers are a cr@pshoot. They clearly are not.

three of your picks were Mets in 2007
you are making my point that the BP wasnt that bad

Although Duaner hasnt pitched in over a year..

nice.. didnt think you’d get that many.. more the exception than the rule.

http://www.metsblog.com/2007/11/06/buzz-mets-to-make-significant-run-for-a-rod/#comment-37278

B – Currently in the League

C – His last three years had A WHIP at or below 1.35

D- has not had an injury in the past three years.

Name TEN that are CONSISTENTLY GOOD

This idea that all middle relievers are a cr@pshoot is total cr@p. I know some like to spout that, but it doesn’t make sense when there are many relievers around who are consistently good.

If you get 2 out of 3 good years from a middle reliever like Bradford, then it’s a successful contract. That’s about what you’re going to get with most starters and most closers anyway.

Smith as we saw couldn’t even make it through the whole season. If I had to choose between him and Bradford this year, it’s Bradford all the way. And Collazo hasn’t done anything yet in the majors.

Of course I’d like to give the Smiths and Collazos opportunities. But they also need to have relievers who can be more of a sure thing as well. That doesn’t mean Mota or Show. They are two of Omar’s worst signings since he became GM.

While they both come in around 3 mil 2008 — Mota is for JUST 2008 (3.2) while Show is at the trough for two more years (2007 – 2009 ) at 3.6 per..

3+ mil for two years I can stomach for a guy with a history of success.. but three years..with these middle/setup guys you are just as likely to get two bad and one good as two good and one bad..and with the competitive environment in FA relief pitchers vs the odds of RP uncovering some forgotten jewel.. id much rather take my chances with the joe smiths and willie collazos of the world .. even a jorge sosa project has merits for one year in the pen.

ChadBrad certainly didnt set the world on fire this year.. and he’s locked up with the O’s for another 2 yrs at over 3 mil a year.

Its a fickle breed.. these BP guys

As for Riske.. given that he had a good 2007 in KC he had less pressure situations than a toll booth attendant…And while he did OK with Cleveland in 05 his 06 wasn’t exactly a revelation. same deal with 03 vs 04

Again. these middle guys go in and out like the tide.so its more a three year aversion that a 3+ mil aversion..

Save for your closer.. I wouldn’t commit more than 12-14 mil to the back of the pen.. including the setup role… id rather spend the dough on a guy that can actually go 7 innings.