The Mets will make it official this afternoon and announce lefty Scott Schoeneweis to a three-year, $10.8 million contract.
Schoeneweis gives the Mets three lefthanders in the pen, joining Billy Wagner and Pedro Feliciano, but with their additions over the winter it is possible Feliciano will be the odd man out.
Schoeneweis allowed only one run in his last 19 appearances with Cincy last season. He also has experience as a starter so he could be stretched out as a spot starter and long reliever. In that case, it might be difficult for the Mets to carry both him and Dave Williams.
The signing keeps with the Mets’ approach of building their staff with relievers to compensate for the questions in the rotation. The money sounds steep for an average pitcher at 33, but that’s the way of the market.
5 Comments
Well, i guess this answers our questions on what will be done about pitching. if ya cant get a starter, make sure the relievers have big shoulders.
The Schoeneweis signing could mean a number of things. The obvious question that jumps out at me is, How many situational lefties does one bullpen need? Right behind that question comes, Is a situational lefty worth $3.6 million per year, even in this inflated market?
Since Heilman’s forte is getting both righty and lefty hitters out, you have to wonder how the addition of Schoeneweis impacts him. Either the Mets are planning to recreate their post-season staff (read: five innings from the starter, followed by a seven-deep bullpen) or they’re looking to move a reliever (if so, I’d bet on Heilman).
To Benny Ayala (RE: Roles)
I think this means Pedro Feliciano is the odd man out. A lot of how Heilman will be used will be based on Duaner Sanchez. He says he’ll be ready, but there’s no guarantee. A healthy Sanchez works the eighth, with Schoeneweis coming in to get the odd lefty. That would place Heilman in the seventh, which is where he was for most of last season.
This just Give Willie wiggle room with the lineup and bullpen.