Comments on: Note: Is Stokes the Answer to the Bullpen http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/ MetsBlog.com features the latest Mets rumors, player movement, and news circulating around the Internet, as well as Mets related insights and opinions by Matthew Cerrone and his team of guest bloggers. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:02:21 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: nyj0128 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296785 nyj0128 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:24:20 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296785 There's no answer to repair this bullpen. It's the whole dynamic. It's improved over the past couple games because they've finally been able to accumulate some rest and the Mets offense and starting pitcher's are carrying the load. Duaner didn't look bad the other night. Feliciano seemed to have the temporary best head for the 9th inning closing role that they waited to give him the chance too over nearly everyone else except for Kunz. The way I view the Mets bullpen is like shaving. They got to shave off the parts of the pen' that make it look ugly. The parts that have caused the most problems. That's Aaron Heilman. I wouldn't give up on his entirely, but just for this season. Being mop up is secondary to that, but than there's always a chance he can end up back in tough situations he can't mentally handle. I'd shave off Joe Smith too because of his lack of consistency but I'd call him back up in September. From there, you leave Kunz and Stokes. You activate Wagner. You call up Nate Field or someone who provides new chemistry or try to get someone off the waiver wire. Or call up Burgos when he's ready. Than the pen is Stokes, Burgos, Show, Feliciano, Kunz, Duaner and Wagner. There’s no answer to repair this bullpen. It’s the whole dynamic. It’s improved over the past couple games because they’ve finally been able to accumulate some rest and the Mets offense and starting pitcher’s are carrying the load. Duaner didn’t look bad the other night. Feliciano seemed to have the temporary best head for the 9th inning closing role that they waited to give him the chance too over nearly everyone else except for Kunz.

The way I view the Mets bullpen is like shaving. They got to shave off the parts of the pen’ that make it look ugly. The parts that have caused the most problems. That’s Aaron Heilman. I wouldn’t give up on his entirely, but just for this season. Being mop up is secondary to that, but than there’s always a chance he can end up back in tough situations he can’t mentally handle. I’d shave off Joe Smith too because of his lack of consistency but I’d call him back up in September.

From there, you leave Kunz and Stokes. You activate Wagner. You call up Nate Field or someone who provides new chemistry or try to get someone off the waiver wire. Or call up Burgos when he’s ready. Than the pen is Stokes, Burgos, Show, Feliciano, Kunz, Duaner and Wagner.

]]> By: nyj0128 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296754 nyj0128 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:17:52 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296754 Burgos has potential to still be an effective Mets reliever for years to come if he pitches with control and stays healthy. Maybe even an outside chance as a closer consider his velocity. Eddie Kunz will be there too. Duaner Sanchez and Joe Smith (or Matt Wise - yeah, right) were supposed to replace Guillermo Mota and Aaron Sele in bullpen. Sosa or El Duque were supposed to replace Sele's long relief role, but apparently he couldn't handle it so we've had a variety of spot starter's and Carlos Muniz since. Going into next year, the Mets hopefully will try replacing some of their bullpen. Burgos and Kunz are good candidates. Although Heilman's had productive years in the past, I think he's worn out his welcome with the Mets. He doesn't want to be in that role which could compromise his success. Plus, we'll have the 5 slot open when we don't bring back Pedro and El Duque next year. I say let him compete and than trade him to open up for Niese or Parnell. It's really too early to well with Stokes. I'd say give him a chance. He threw solid. I never saw a reason outside of one bad peformance that said Vargas should have went down. Carlos Muniz is not a better option. In extra innings, you want a long man. Burgos has potential to still be an effective Mets reliever for years to come if he pitches with control and stays healthy. Maybe even an outside chance as a closer consider his velocity. Eddie Kunz will be there too.

Duaner Sanchez and Joe Smith (or Matt Wise – yeah, right) were supposed to replace Guillermo Mota and Aaron Sele in bullpen. Sosa or El Duque were supposed to replace Sele’s long relief role, but apparently he couldn’t handle it so we’ve had a variety of spot starter’s and Carlos Muniz since. Going into next year, the Mets hopefully will try replacing some of their bullpen. Burgos and Kunz are good candidates. Although Heilman’s had productive years in the past, I think he’s worn out his welcome with the Mets. He doesn’t want to be in that role which could compromise his success. Plus, we’ll have the 5 slot open when we don’t bring back Pedro and El Duque next year. I say let him compete and than trade him to open up for Niese or Parnell.

It’s really too early to well with Stokes. I’d say give him a chance. He threw solid. I never saw a reason outside of one bad peformance that said Vargas should have went down. Carlos Muniz is not a better option. In extra innings, you want a long man.

]]> By: nyr2k2 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296554 nyr2k2 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:52:39 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296554 FWIW, Trot Nixon is rehabbing in the GCL. He played in his second game this afternoon. Burgos pitched again today (as myself and therealsince86 discussed), tossing 2IP allowing a run on two hits with 3K/0BB. I'd imagine he'll get another appearance or two in the GCL before being sent to Bingy or PSL. FWIW, Trot Nixon is rehabbing in the GCL. He played in his second game this afternoon.

Burgos pitched again today (as myself and therealsince86 discussed), tossing 2IP allowing a run on two hits with 3K/0BB. I’d imagine he’ll get another appearance or two in the GCL before being sent to Bingy or PSL.

]]> By: nyr2k2 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296549 nyr2k2 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:49:54 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296549 Nate Field has also had past success as a ML reliever. Ivan Maldonado might be worth a look as well. Come September, we'll also see Figueroa and Brito, as well as Parnell and Niese. Nate Field has also had past success as a ML reliever. Ivan Maldonado might be worth a look as well.

Come September, we’ll also see Figueroa and Brito, as well as Parnell and Niese.

]]> By: nyr2k2 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296532 nyr2k2 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:42:32 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296532 Cliff Lee, Justin Verlander and Ben Sheets don't strike out a ton of guys either. He has a hard fastball but as ravi noted, it is straight. It's also one of only two pitches that he really throws, making it less likely that pitchers are overpowered by it. Cliff Lee, Justin Verlander and Ben Sheets don’t strike out a ton of guys either. He has a hard fastball but as ravi noted, it is straight. It’s also one of only two pitches that he really throws, making it less likely that pitchers are overpowered by it.

]]> By: krispy644 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296523 krispy644 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:39:24 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296523 than* than*

]]> By: krispy644 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296521 krispy644 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:39:09 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296521 we need more new blood that him. try out Ruddy Lugo, he hasnt been used yet. we need more new blood that him. try out Ruddy Lugo, he hasnt been used yet.

]]> By: ravi3 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296208 ravi3 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:57:04 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296208 His fastball straightens out when he throws it 95/96. If he took off a few MPH so it would have some movement, then you'd prolly see an increase in K's His fastball straightens out when he throws it 95/96. If he took off a few MPH so it would have some movement, then you’d prolly see an increase in K’s

]]> By: amazinz http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296164 amazinz Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:36:04 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296164 I think that we gotta try Stokes in the long relief role - and not just as a righty specialist. I agree w/ dave27, he's untested - but he is fresh, and he does have some nasty, nasty stuff - and right now in the pen, only Wags has that. I think that we gotta try Stokes in the long relief role – and not just as a righty specialist.

I agree w/ dave27, he’s untested – but he is fresh, and he does have some nasty, nasty stuff – and right now in the pen, only Wags has that.

]]> By: mr_crackovich http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296162 mr_crackovich Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:35:11 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/08/14/note-is-stokes-the-answer-to-the-bullpen/#comment-296162 I do think Stokes is an answer to the Mets' problems in the pen. With Wagner out the bullpen is in shambles and it would be nice to have a long guy to eat up innings. With that being said I never really bought into Jerry's idea of using starters as closers, and with Maine's start last night I don't think you can. We have to wait, let Wagner get healthy, and hopefully things will shape up. I do think Stokes is an answer to the Mets’ problems in the pen. With Wagner out the bullpen is in shambles and it would be nice to have a long guy to eat up innings.

With that being said I never really bought into Jerry’s idea of using starters as closers, and with Maine’s start last night I don’t think you can. We have to wait, let Wagner get healthy, and hopefully things will shape up.

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