Comments on: Note: The Bullpen, the Bullpen, the Bullpen http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/ Latest Mets News, Links, Rumors and Opinion Fri, 04 Feb 2011 21:22:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mingo http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317864 Mingo Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:01:39 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317864 And I disagree with you. The Mets were near the bottom of the league in scoring most of the first half. If you recall, during the first half one of the concerns we had with this team was the lack of offensive consistency. Now we are scoring runs and it has catapulted us to second in the league in runs. Before July 2nd (our 85th game) we were averaging 4.68 runs per game, since then we are averaging 5.36 runs per game, a good .68 runs per game difference. And since this time our record has been 38-18 a .679 winning pct. Prior to that it was 41-43 a .488 winning pct. Conversely at this same point we had given up 4.74 runs per game. Since then we have given up 3.71 runs per game, almost a whole run different. In essence, since then we have gained 1.71 runs per game over the team that we were at that point. And I disagree with you.
The Mets were near the bottom of the league in scoring most of the first half. If you recall, during the first half one of the concerns we had with this team was the lack of offensive consistency. Now we are scoring runs and it has catapulted us to second in the league in runs.

Before July 2nd (our 85th game) we were averaging 4.68 runs per game, since then we are averaging 5.36 runs per game, a good .68 runs per game difference. And since this time our record has been 38-18 a .679 winning pct. Prior to that it was 41-43 a .488 winning pct.

Conversely at this same point we had given up 4.74 runs per game. Since then we have given up 3.71 runs per game, almost a whole run different.

In essence, since then we have gained 1.71 runs per game over the team that we were at that point.

]]> By: Xavier22 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317843 Xavier22 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:44:32 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317843 Given Wagner has blown 7 games this year, if the Mets have a chance to sign K-Rod and Wagner doesn't like, he should feel free to waive his no-trade clause. But Wagner is getting on in years and has said that he has no plans to pitch after 2009. So he might be amenable to a set-up role in his final year. Given Wagner has blown 7 games this year, if the Mets have a chance to sign K-Rod and Wagner doesn’t like, he should feel free to waive his no-trade clause.

But Wagner is getting on in years and has said that he has no plans to pitch after 2009. So he might be amenable to a set-up role in his final year.

]]> By: Two-By-Four http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317835 Two-By-Four Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:38:31 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317835 Manuel deserves all the credit in the world for making this bullpen by committee work. Rather than be intransigent or use his gut Manuel has indentified the strengths and weaknesses of the bullpen. He has separated those pitchers that are successful in getting hitters out from both sides of the plate versus those that are specialists. He has used the guys to their best advantage trying to put them in positions where they will be successful. He also seems to try and use all the resources he has available instead of only sticking with his guys. Obviously he has made some mistakes and has had to use pitchers in situations that don’t work out but generally he has done an excellent job. You are correct in worrying that by using so many pitchers eventually one will be inserted that will fail in that outing but by using so many pitchers in a given game he has also limited the exposure time of some of these pitchers and gets them out of there before the opposing team adjusts to him. The team’s performance speaks for itself. BTW I wonder if Sanchez ever found that restaurant he was looking for if indeed it was food he was seeking. Manuel deserves all the credit in the world for making this bullpen by committee work. Rather than be intransigent or use his gut Manuel has indentified the strengths and weaknesses of the bullpen. He has separated those pitchers that are successful in getting hitters out from both sides of the plate versus those that are specialists. He has used the guys to their best advantage trying to put them in positions where they will be successful. He also seems to try and use all the resources he has available instead of only sticking with his guys. Obviously he has made some mistakes and has had to use pitchers in situations that don’t work out but generally he has done an excellent job.

You are correct in worrying that by using so many pitchers eventually one will be inserted that will fail in that outing but by using so many pitchers in a given game he has also limited the exposure time of some of these pitchers and gets them out of there before the opposing team adjusts to him.

The team’s performance speaks for itself.

BTW I wonder if Sanchez ever found that restaurant he was looking for if indeed it was food he was seeking.

]]> By: krumbledkookie http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317829 krumbledkookie Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:26:41 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317829 Regardless of what the stats say, we that have watched games (and I don't mean to imply that you have not) know that the offense's failures to score runs consistently and in late inning situations have hurt this team in a meaningful way. You are right, however, that pitching wins in October. I have my concerns, but I think that if some of these guys (Smith, Feliciano, etc.) manage to get some rest with September call-ups filling in in certain situations, I am confident that they can get the job done in potential playoff situations. Getting to the playoffs may be the hard part... Regardless of what the stats say, we that have watched games (and I don’t mean to imply that you have not) know that the offense’s failures to score runs consistently and in late inning situations have hurt this team in a meaningful way.

You are right, however, that pitching wins in October. I have my concerns, but I think that if some of these guys (Smith, Feliciano, etc.) manage to get some rest with September call-ups filling in in certain situations, I am confident that they can get the job done in potential playoff situations.

Getting to the playoffs may be the hard part…

]]> By: Mingo http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317828 Mingo Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:17:16 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317828 Actually I think this just makes us spoiled when it comes to saves. We expect a perfect inning every time. The reason we have started to win with this bullpen and the reason they are improving is because of two reasons. First, some fresh faces. Stokes fits our bullpen well. He throws heat. Ayala is more of a change of speed pitcher. Previously we had sliders and change-ups and that was it. Batters have learned to lay off of Heilmann's changeup because it won't be a strike and his fastball is always at the same height (thanks very much Rick Peterson) So now we have variety in our bullpen which fits better. Second, Jerry Manuel has learned to pitch these guys in the right spots. Our bullpen works well when its lefty-lefty righty-righty. That means its full of situational pitchers but nobody but Wagner who can retire guys on both sides of the plate. Willie used to try to force guys into that role. Jerry hasn't. He knows he needs to use his guys more as situational guys. This may not sound like much but having a guy like Stokes in the Bullpen makes a big difference. He can pitch to lefties and righties and he can go an inning or two. This means Jerry can pitch the other guys more sparingly. This saves their arms and it helps the matchups better. Actually I think this just makes us spoiled when it comes to saves. We expect a perfect inning every time.

The reason we have started to win with this bullpen and the reason they are improving is because of two reasons.

First, some fresh faces. Stokes fits our bullpen well. He throws heat. Ayala is more of a change of speed pitcher. Previously we had sliders and change-ups and that was it. Batters have learned to lay off of Heilmann’s changeup because it won’t be a strike and his fastball is always at the same height (thanks very much Rick Peterson)
So now we have variety in our bullpen which fits better.

Second, Jerry Manuel has learned to pitch these guys in the right spots. Our bullpen works well when its lefty-lefty righty-righty. That means its full of situational pitchers but nobody but Wagner who can retire guys on both sides of the plate. Willie used to try to force guys into that role. Jerry hasn’t. He knows he needs to use his guys more as situational guys.
This may not sound like much but having a guy like Stokes in the Bullpen makes a big difference. He can pitch to lefties and righties and he can go an inning or two. This means Jerry can pitch the other guys more sparingly. This saves their arms and it helps the matchups better.

]]> By: X-Man http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317827 X-Man Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:14:58 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317827 Yep. LOL The IQ meter will go off the scale with those three Geniuses! LOL Yep. LOL The IQ meter will go off the scale with those three Geniuses! LOL

]]> By: Blue_n_Orange http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317826 Blue_n_Orange Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:14:35 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317826 I just don't want to hear it from this bullpen if they resume their awful play: "Still, it must be noted that the Mets may be running some of their bullpen corps into the ground, with Pedro Feliciano (74 appearances), Luis Ayala (71), Aaron Heilman (71) and Joe Smith (71) all in the top seven in the majors in relief appearances." Daily News What are supposed to be concerned about here? Is it that they might start pitching poorly due to fatigue? How is that any different than pitching poorly when rested, which is what they've done for the majority of the last 2 years? Just continue pitching well (for a change) and keep quiet. The vocal ones always seem to be the biggest culprits, it amazes me. The main reason the bullpen has been pitching better is because with the addition of Ayala, Stokes and Figgy to the roster we haven't had to see as much from the other dogs in this bullpen. I just don’t want to hear it from this bullpen if they resume their awful play:

“Still, it must be noted that the Mets may be running some of their bullpen corps into the ground, with Pedro Feliciano (74 appearances), Luis Ayala (71), Aaron Heilman (71) and Joe Smith (71) all in the top seven in the majors in relief appearances.” Daily News

What are supposed to be concerned about here? Is it that they might start pitching poorly due to fatigue? How is that any different than pitching poorly when rested, which is what they’ve done for the majority of the last 2 years? Just continue pitching well (for a change) and keep quiet. The vocal ones always seem to be the biggest culprits, it amazes me.

The main reason the bullpen has been pitching better is because with the addition of Ayala, Stokes and Figgy to the roster we haven’t had to see as much from the other dogs in this bullpen.

]]> By: Gasface77 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317824 Gasface77 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:06:22 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317824 You guys are all right...I was referring to the Sanchez quote "If it’s a losing record." The other it's is clearly wrong. You guys are all right…I was referring to the Sanchez quote “If it’s a losing record.” The other it’s is clearly wrong.

]]> By: C Dubb http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317820 C Dubb Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:05:10 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317820 I disagree. The Mets have scored the 2nd most runs in the National League!! Regardless, pitching wins in October. If you're not worried about the bullpen's struggles now, just you wait... I disagree. The Mets have scored the 2nd most runs in the National League!!

Regardless, pitching wins in October. If you’re not worried about the bullpen’s struggles now, just you wait…

]]> By: Chan Ho Parking Lot http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317819 Chan Ho Parking Lot Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:05:08 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/04/note-the-bullpen-the-bullpen-the-bullpen/#comment-317819 Thanks I used to be Mister Koo, but it stopped working. But I remember Park in spring training 07 when he was giving up bombs every time out and thought of that. Thanks I used to be Mister Koo, but it stopped working. But I remember Park in spring training 07 when he was giving up bombs every time out and thought of that.

]]>