Note: Solutions in the Bullpen
On Sunday, Jerry Manuel told reporters that Billy Wagner will be activated on August 18, the first day he is eligible.
The thing is, Wagner is tied with Ryan Franklin and Jason Isringhausen for having the most blown saves of any relief pitcher in the National League.
Manuel, talking to reporters after yesterday’s loss:
“Well, I probably need to make some adjustments. Period. We can’t continue to perform this way late in the game…I just have to make some adjustments…I’ve got to figure out what I have and who is willing to step up in those roles…I’ve got to use all the options that I have here…I might start using starters down there or something (smiling).”
Though Manuel never mentioned a specific starting pitcher by name, when asked if John Maine could be used as a one-inning closer after he returns from the DL tomorrow, he said, “Everything from here on out is a possibility.”
That said, Manuel did acknowledge that Aaron Heilman will no longer be used in such a role.
According to the New York Post, who has ‘learned all three main scenarios the organization is now mulling,’ the Mets will 
first turn to Eddie Kunz as the team’s closer, until Wagner returns; the Mets could keep Brian Stokes in the rotation, and turn to Maine or Oliver Perez to help in the bullpen; and, lastly, they intend to call up Jon Niese.
…actually, last week, i heard that niese could be considered as an option for the bullpen, since a) he is close to reaching his max innings in the minor leagues, b) he is a lefty, c) he has a wicked curve ball, d) he’s a smart, strong and healthy kid, and so e) he could be quite effective against major-leaguers who have yet to see him, especially when pitching one inning at a time…then, next season, he’d return to being a starting pitcher…
…regardless, at this point, all options must be on the table, because this is essentially the exact same situation that doomed this team last season…for all the praise the Phillies received, it was the Mets bullpen – and then starting pitchers – who ‘collapsed,’ letting the Phillies slide through the sidedoor and in to the post-season…
…if all else fails, the Mets should put Omar Minaya on the mound, because, frankly, it’s starting to feel as though his lack of action – be it in the off-season, or at the trade deadline – is starting to bite his staff in the behind…
…this is essentially the exact same bullpen that failed him in 2007, and yet omar’s only moves were Matt Wise, who is out for the year; Steven Register, who was cut from the roster; and hoping for a strong return from Duaner Sanchez, who looks exhausted and has totally lost his fastball in recent weeks…
…to omar’s credit, though, the buzz from shea during July was that he had been working hard to change the dynamic of the pen, as he tried to acquire a relief pitcher to add in the mix…however, teams were asking for too much in return, which is obvious when you consider that not only was Huston Street and JJ Putz not traded, but neither was George Sherrill, Luis Ayala, Cla Meredith and Ron Mahay, all while several teams were looking for relief help – in other words, evidence shows that teams were truly asking for too much in return…
…it’s easy for us to sit here and say, ‘Well, Omar should have done something.’…however, when other teams were just as needy and did nothing, like omar, it suggests an acquisition was not as as simple as just wishing for it to happen…
…that said, Arthur Rhodes and Chad Bradford were traded in exchange for one minor-leaguer…and while a player like Scott Eyre is hardly exciting, as he was recently traded to the Phillies, at least he’s some one different…
…in the end, it’s truly a shame, because, between the Mets, Phillies and Marlins, the Mets have the easiest schedule from now through the end of the season…of course, that means nothing if the bullpen isn’t there to close the deal…
