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Ted Berg

Note: Interview with Heath Bell, Stats on Bullpen
By Ted Berg - Aug 12, 2008 3:31 pm

I wrote a column today on SNY.tv discussing potential bullpen solutions with Billy Wagner out, but I found a couple of interesting stats in the process.

  • Since Wagner last pitched on Aug. 2, Aaron Heilman has allowed six earned runs in 4 1/3 innings over five appearances and Joe Smith has allowed four earned runs in 2 1/3 innings over five appearances.
  • Meanwhile, Duaner Sanchez, Scott Schoeneweis and Pedro Feliciano have combined to throw 10 1/3 innings while allowing only two earned runs on eight hits, two walks, and one hit batsman over the same span.

Of course, these stats can be taken in any number of ways:

  • Proof that stats can be misleading, because anyone with eyes knows the whole bullpen is at fault.
  • Proof that Jerry Manuel must be misusing his bullpen by trotting out his least successful relievers so frequently.
  • Proof of nothing but a very small sample size.

Another potentially interesting stat – Smith is 0-2 with a 11.74 ERA with seven walks in 7 2/3 innings spaced out over 14 appearances since the All-Star Break, and has options remaining on his contract.

For my take on the bullpen situation, check out my column here.

I recently talked with Heath Bell about bullpen roles, which you can watch here:

For Part 1 of my talk with Bell, during which we discuss his favorite moments at Shea Stadium, click here.

82 Responses to “Note: Interview with Heath Bell, Stats on Bullpen”

  1. I don’t care about what Heath Bell has to say about bullpen roles. Ben Johnson is better.

  2. maybealittlemoredelgado says:

    i don’t want to beat dead horses on here, but this is not a good day to have heath bell show up on the screen.

  3. Meanwhile, Duaner Sanchez, Scott Schoeneweis and Pedro Feliciano have combined to throw 10 1/3 innings while allowing only two earned runs on eight hits, two walks, and one hit batsman over the same span.

    This doesn’t show how many times they came into the game and left a mess on the bases for another reliever to clean up …. OR how many inherited runners they let score. Show is especially crappy with inherited runners. Letting inherited runners score obviously doesn’t show up on their ERAs.

    So, no this doesn’t prove Manuel has been using his bullpen wrong. He has few options. And he’s doing the best he can to find a solution.

  4. atlantasnumber1metsfan says:

    Berg does make an interesting point though, Lets say we start an inning fresh with Sanchez or Scho, or Feliciano, their chances for success are a lot higher..Scho came into an almost impossible situation in yesterday’s game. and Feliciano and Scho are almost always coming in with numerous men on base lately…Not to say that they aren’t to blame but I think they are less to blame than Heilman and Smith specifically

    • Chan Ho Parking Lot says:

      True, but Schoeneweis has to at least get ahead of the hitters. With the bases loaded, throwing three straight balls to go to a 3-0 count on the first hitter is inexcusable. And going to a 3-1 count on the second hitter is even more inexcusable.

      • DK says:

        they all need to grow a sack and pitch, get ahead of the batters… wonder if they ever heard of it.

    • C’mon. Haven’t you noticed all the times Manuel has started an inning with Sanchez and he couldn’t get a single out, instead giving up hits, hitting guys or walking the bases loaded?

      I have zero confidence in Schoeneweis too. Manuel has tried all sorts of combinations and nothing seems to be working.

      • DK says:

        cant blame Jerry… he is trying every combination possible… Kunz in the 9th is prob the only card he hasn’t played.

  5. RodKanehl says:

    I think your stats need updating because Sanchez alone has hit 2 batters in his last 2 outings. and as quickly as Manuel pulls guys you need to list inherited runners allowed to score in your stats.

  6. Maineiac says:

    Paging Dr. Omar, your bullpen is dying…

  7. nobeers says:

    I love how all of a sudden we are in this bullpen disaster and everyone pretends like its something new. Everyone is posting this and that stat for each of these guys and im sorry to remind people but those stats have been accumulated throughout the season. Our bullpen problems are not new in any way, its just that without Billy to throw poop at we are forced to face the facts that this team is going nowhere with the current bullpen. Thats really all there is to say about it.

  8. maybealittlemoredelgado says:

    here are the stats I’ve compiled from the last week:

    smith–sucks
    schoenweis–sucks
    feliciano–sucks
    sanchez–sucks
    muniz–sucks
    kunz–maybe doesn’t suck.

  9. mikeyrad says:

    SOLUTION: Instead of three or four relievers being used every game, we need four mediocre starters who can go once through a lineup effectively to be put in a four man bullpen rotation. I would include Heilman as one of these relievers. If the reliever screws up, he stays in and mops up his mess. We need relievers who can eat up innings

    • mikeyrad says:

      To clarify, each member of the bullpen rotation is expected to go two to three innings each time he pitches.

      • maybealittlemoredelgado says:

        not the worst idea ever, but it won’t work. pinch hitting is important down the stretch of games and this system wouldnt ever allow us to come from behind (not that we do anyway)

        • mikeyrad says:

          There will still be three bullpen spots to accommodate pinch hitters. However, in most cases this problem could be averted by double switching.

  10. BronxMetsFan08 says:

    Red Sox acquired Paul Byrd for cash…Omar couldn’t traded for him?!

  11. HoJoWright says:

    the problem is letting inherited runners score…amongst other things. But it does seem like Feliciano and Scho just throw meat so the bases will clear and they can start fresh. and then allow a man on.

    No matter where the blame should be placed. they and us need to move forward and effen WIN.

    C’MON LETS GO METS!

  12. Just looking at that picture of Heath Bell makes me mad. I can’t stand the guy.

  13. turbot72lou says:

    I know the entire bullpen has stunk up the joint (escept for kunz, limited viewing) but this is who we got so whether we hate them or we don’t. This is what we are suck with. So everyone suck it up and get ready for the rollercoaster. this bullpen we have is the same because we held on to a half dozen top minor league prospects, which i totally agree with. If we lose because of this we will be better next year and years to come.

  14. The Flash Man says:

    According to Jon Heyman, Mets just picked up Armando Benitez off waivers.

    Now we get the bullpen help we need.

  15. Nate W. says:

    Dauner has been a bit of a bright spot lately.

    Since his two 9th inning chances where he failed miserably Sanchez has made 7 appearances and pitched 6 IP with 4 hits and 1 BB (plus 1 or 2 HBP’s)
    He’s pitched 5 full innings without allowing a run, and twice he’s finished an inning started by someone without allowing an inherited run.

    He had the game where he hit the first batter and was pulled right then. Other than that he has been solid.

    I wouldnt suggest he should close again, because he seems to be allergic to it. But he should be the 8th inning guy again as he seems to have regained his ability to do that.

  16. JamesK says:

    That’s some catch, that catch-22. It’s the best there is.

  17. BigPelf4prez says:

    Tonight’s lineup

    Reyes (ss)
    Evans (lf)
    Wright (3b)
    Beltran (cf)
    Delgado (1b)
    Tatis (rf)
    Easley (2b)
    Castro (c)
    Santana (lhp)

  18. 911nafstem says:

    All I know is that if Heath Bell was still on the Mets he’d continue to suck.

  19. It Works It Works says:

    Ted Berg is actually Ferris Buhler, right?

  20. stickguy says:

    cut heath some slack.

    he pitched great in the minors while getting regular work. Comes to the Mets, sits for days at a time, and is erratic when he does get a stray inning of work.

    Back to the minors, pitches regularly, back to NY to rot on the bench. Lather, rinse, repeat.

    The big difference going to SD was he got to pitch on a regular basis. Not really surprising that he did better.

  21. BigPelf4prez says:

    nyd
    Manuel: Maine, Perez or Pelfrey could be headed to ‘pen

    Jerry Manuel dropped one bombshell after another today, including saying he may move John Maine, Oliver Perez or Mike Pelfrey into the bullpen, even once Billy Wagner returns from the disabled list Monday.

    Jon Niese presumably would enter the rotation under those circumstances.

    Manuel said Aaron Heilman will be unavailable on Tuesday night, and that Eddie Kunz may close.

  22. iamatwork says:

    One guy comes in, lets 2 on, the other lets those 2 in and gets 3 outs. One guy get a horrific ERA and the other blows the save and has a low ERA.

    You’d think you’d note that, but you don’t.

  23. gomets6091 says:

    I’m on my way over to the game now…if the bullpen blows this game, I’ll be the guy whose head exploded on live TV…

  24. matthew66 says:

    Your stats are wrong. Duaner alone has hit two people since thurs. he hit his one batter thursday in the day game and one yesterday.

  25. mikeyrad says:

    The bullpen is overworked. No way they can be effective pitching (or warming up) day after day. They need some guys who can go two (or three) innings.

  26. metsthebest says:

    I don’t like Heath Bell, the guy was crap when he played for the Mets. I’m glad David Wright bombed this guy to win the game.

  27. anrst says:

    i hate to beat a dead horse, but a team with Ambiorix Burgos has no need for Heath Bell. We also had Mota last year, so where was there room for Bell… c’mon guys, stop giving Omar such a hard time … i mean, the buzz from shea was that he worked really hard to do something at the deadline.