Bullpen: The Left-Handed Reliever
On Tuesday, while talking to reporters, Omar Minaya said he will continue to look for ‘smaller pieces,’ specifically a left-handed reliever.
Minaya added, ‘It doesn’t mean that we have to get (a left-handed reliever), because we do have some righties that can get lefties out, but, that being said, we will continue to look.”
…it sounded, to me, like minaya was talking about bringing in guys on minor-league deals, not bigger-name pitchers on major-league deals, noting how he got Pedro Feliciano on a minor-league deal, and pointing out he currently has Valerio De Los Santos in on a minor-league deal for this spring as well…
However, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com believes the Mets have been in contact with free-agent LHP Will Ohman, in an effort to sign the pitcher at a bargain.
Meanwhile, yesterday, Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors identified seven left-handed relievers who are still available on the free-agent market, including Joe Beimel, Randy Flores, Ohman, Dennys Reyes and Ron Villone, among others.
…i have to think most of these guys will get major-league deals some place, but, at this rate, who knows… i believe the Mets showed interest in biemel and reyes earlier in the off season, but that was quite a while ago…
In addition to De Los Santos , the Mets will also have left-handed relievers Tom Martin, Casey Fossum, Jon Switzer and Heriberto Ruelas in camp, all acquired this off season on minor-league deals, as well as LHP Adam Bostick, who spent most of last season in Triple-A on the disabled list.
…i believe Francisco Rodriguez, J.J. Putz, Sean Green, Brian Stokes, Pedro Feliciano and Duaner Sanchez are pretty much guaranteed a spot in the Opening Day bullpen…
…so, assuming Marlon Anderson is on the roster, that will make room for one more bench player, because Fernando Tatis and Daniel Murphy will be in a platoon, which means there is technically only one room for one more relief pitcher in the bullpen, assuming Tim Redding is the team’s fifth starter, which will be needed in the first week of the season…
The Mets also will have RHP Rocky Cherry in camp, who they acquired from the O’s during the Rule V Draft in December.
In 19 career innings, spanning three seasons, left-handed hitters are batting .167 against Cherry, who must be returned to Baltimore if he is not on the Mets 25–man roster.
