Daily Archives: August 12, 2008
Desperate times call for desperate measures. With the Mets bullpen currently a disaster, manager Jerry Manuel acknowledged,
“I’ve got to use all the options that I have here… Everything from here on out is a possibility.”
If Manuel is serious about “everything”, I have a wacky idea: reverse the game.
In other words, start the relievers at the beginning of the game, and have your “starter” finish.
For example, tonight’s starter is Johan Santana. He’s counted on to throw at least six innings. So, instead of throwing the opening pitch, you hold him out until, say, the bottom of the fourth.
Meantime, Aaron Heilman starts the game and pitches the first inning. That’s right — Aaron Heilman. He always wanted to be a starter anyway, so here’s his big chance. He hasn’t shown the chutzpah necessary for the pressure of the late innings, so put him into the most tension-free situation — the first frame. When the second inning starts, split it between Pedro Feliciano and Joe Smith, depending on the batters due up. In the third, Eddie Kunz comes in. When the fourth inning rolls around, hand the ball to Johan and tell him, “it’s your ballgame from here.” Johan can then pitch his masterpiece, finish what he starts, and get the W (for a change).
The trick, of course, is to get through the first three innings without allowing too many runs — ideally, none at all. Essentially, that’s the same role the bullpen is handed at the end of the game — the only difference is, there’s less pressure at the beginning of the game.
Crazy? Of course. But then, 25 years ago, Tony LaRussa had this radical idea of using one guy for the ninth inning every game. And yes, there are flaws in the plan. For one, the idea looks really dumb if the other team scores six runs in the first three frames. The possibility of extra innings presents a problem as well.
But hey, it’s all about being creative — thinking “out of the box” as middle managers like to say. Continuing to do the same thing every day, and expecting different results, is just as crazy — if not crazier.
Next ideas on the agenda: moving Carlos Delgado to shortstop, coaxing Doug Flynn out of retirement, and batting Brian Schneider in the leadoff spot!
This morning I wrote to MetsBlog.com:
The Mets have 20 blown saves this season, which is fourth-worst in the National League.
…do you realize if the bullpen had blown just half of that
number, the Mets would be in first place by eight games, and have the best record in the league…
However, Micah G sent in the following e-mail, which is important to note:
“While you are correct that the Mets’ pen has blown 20 saves, but, by my count, only 13 of those games resulted in losses, while seven became wins.”
Micah is correct, by the way.
That said, even if the Mets had been able to salvage just half of the games they did go on to lose, they’d be in first place by a three or four games.
Nevertheless, thank you, Micah, for the e-mail.
The following is my MetsBlog Minute, regarding the team’s bullpen, blown saves, and learning from last season:
In a loss to the Pirates yesterday, 
David Wright was 2 for 5 with a double and a three-run HR.
Wright, on his performance, while speaking to reporters following yesterday’s game:
“As stupid as it sounds, some days you get hits and some days you don’t. It’s just a matter of going up there and having confidence, even when you are struggling.”
Wright is hitting .444 with three home runs and nine RBI during his last six games.
In the seven games before that, Wright hit just .115 with two RBI.
In the eight games before that, he hit .424 – and in the 10 games before that, he hit .204.
…i ran out of patience while looking at his stats, but i have a feeling that trend continues all the way through the start of the season…and so i wonder, is it ‘all or nothing,’ when it comes to wright’s offensive production…not that there is anything wrong with that, assuming other people in the lineup are performing…it’s just, if this is what he is, it would make me less frustrated when he’s struggling, because i know it will be short lived and he’ll be hot again next week…
By the way, Wright’s home run yesterday was the 120th of his career, moving him into a tie with Edgardo Alfonzo for seventh on the team’s all-time home run list.
In case you’re curious, and I’m willing to be that you are:
Since joining Triple-A last month, Mets 22–year-old LHP Jon Niese is 3–0 in three starts with a 2.37 ERA, while striking out 14 batters and walking four through 19 innings, during which right-handed hitters are batting .180 against him.
Meanwhile, Nelson Figueroa is 2–3 with a 4.50 ERA in his last 10 starts for Triple-A New Orleans.
In 50 relief appearances for Triple-A New Orleans, Mets 34–year-old RHP Nate Field is 1–3 with a 4.68 ERA, while striking out 55 batters in 50 innings, during which right-handed hitters are batting .146 against him.
Mets 28–year-old RHP Ivan Maldonado has a 3.86 ERA in 39 relief appearances for Triple-a New Orleans, during which he has struck out 53 batters in 56 innings, though he has also walked 33.
Tagged Nelson Figueroa |
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…
Yesterday, Joe Smith, Pedro Feliciano, Duaner Sanchez, Aaron Heilman and Scott Schoeneweis combined to let up six runs in three innings, blowing a four-run lead handed to them by Pedro Martinez.
Martinez, regarding the bullpen, while speaking to reporters following yesterday’s loss:
“With me, it’s OK. Everybody out there was trying to reel in and win. They never quit, and you have to give them credit.”
…i admire pedro’s view, but forgive me if i am unable to be so peaceful and loving today…
The Mets have 20 blown saves this season, which is fourth-worst in the National League.
The Phillies have blown just eight saves, best in the league.
…i’m officially sick…do you realize if the bullpen had blown just half of that number, 
the Mets would be in first place by eight games, and have the best record in the league…
…one more time, in case you missed it: if the bullpen had blown just half of that number, the Mets would be in first place by eight games, and have the best record in the league…
This season, while Billy Wagner has blown seven saves, Pedro Feliciano is 0 for 2 in save situations, Aaron Heilman is 2 for 4, Carlos Muniz is 0 for 1, Scott Schoenweiss is 1 for 4 and Joe Smith is 0 for 3.
What’s worse, During the 10–game winning streak in July, opponents hit .191 against the bullpen – but, in the 22 games since, opponents are batting .289.
Tagged Pedro Feliciano, Pedro Martinez, Scott Schoeneweis | Newer posts →
