March 18: Mets in the Morning — I have this theory
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- March
- 18
Mets at Jupiter to play the Cardinals today. They are taking BP now. Gorgeous day. Chamber of Commerce stuff.
Two pitching questions could be further answered today: Orlando Hernandez and Ambiorix Burgos. Hernandez is still building up his strength and Burgos is looking to find a map to the strikezone.
Have been thinking about the fifth starter slot and talked to a couple a people about it, notably Willie Randolph and Rick Peterson. They wouldn’t admit it, but I could tell by their reaction when I asked the question that they knew I wasn’t nuts.
Here are three things we know:
1. Mike Pelfrey is pitching better than any of the other fifth starter candidates. It is also desirable to get him consistent work.
2. Orlando Hernandez is still not 100 percent.
3. The fifth starter won’t be used until mid-April.
Solution: Put Pelfrey in the rotation and DL Duque. There’s no need to carry a fifth starter and have him sit. Carry another reliever (you can carry Jon Adkins because he’s out of options) or another position player.
This gives Pelfrey his innings; it enables Hernandez to get in better shape; and it gives the Mets a couple more weeks to weigh their options.
Makes sense to me.
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on Sunday, March 18th, 2007 at 10:56 am by John Delcos.
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scares me…..
glavine
maine
perez
pelfrey
almost makes me shake between perez and pelfrey…..lol maybe we shouldve overspent for a lilly or a suppan or something we at least know will be reliable
I like the solution, in fact I’ve been calling for something like that myself. Duque could work as a long man or pick up one start in the first two weeks, then jump into the rotation on the 15th.
The way Willie handled Oliver last year I doubt this would happen, but in an effort to keep Duque fresh I could see using him and Park or Sosa in a shared 5th starter/long man role like the White Sox’s did with Duque and McCarthy in ‘05
I think that’s a great idea! Pelfrey has shown that he is ready to start and no sense in rushing El Duque back. The Mets need him for the long haul and better to hold him back now than have to shut him down later (which may unfortunately happen anyway.) With the other spring training struggles (I know it’s only spring training), the Mets need to get their best performers on the field from the outset of the season and Pelfrey has definitely been one of them so far.
NYM:
Last year Duque made 20 starts for the Mets, twice he lasted less than 3 innings, twice he lasted just 4 innings. I have confidence that Pelfrey won’t do that as frequently as Duque in ‘07. Perez clearly is a concern in that regard, but having the long relievers that they will it shouldnt have you worrying.
John that was a very good suggestion. I really like it.
The only thing I don’t understand is this fascination with Jon Adkins, not you, but the Mets. What’s the deal with him? He’s just not very good and I havn’t seen anything that should suggest he has any form of potential.
The Mets don’t owe him anything, he’s only been a Met for like 3 months, 2 of those months wihtout even wearing the uniform, it seems like there’s this unreasonable loyalty to him.
They need to make sure they leave a spot on the truck for Urdaneta’s equipment.
to respond to Benny, its too early to send down a guy who has no options left, he’d get picked up real quick by someone i’m sure. Either you wait it out, and maybe he can give you a few innings, or you send him down right before opening day and hope he passes waivers when everyone else has their rosters set. Either way, I really don’t see him doing anything for us, unless its just for the first 15 days of the season when we may just need an extra arm out there (have it be someone who sucks, an arm is an arm sometimes, and better to use him, then say someone else you may be using up an option on)
just a response to the first comment (about how they should’ve overspent for Lilly or Suppan to have a “reliable” starter)... you are mistaking mediocrity for reliability. I’d much rather have someone young (w/the potential to be good), than a 30-something that we know won’t be good. This team has the offense to carry the pitching (let’s not forget Steve Trachsel won 15 games last year—and he couldn’t buy himself a job this year, until Benson got hurt).
Gotta agree with Benny. Jon Adkins is a pretty underwhelming choice at the moment, and the Mets may be better off just seeing if any team would claim him. He has mediocre stuff and his only real “advantage” is his major league experience. That said, I would not be surprised to see the Mets attempt to bring in another reliever either through the waiver wire or perhaps even a low level trade. I was pretty happy with the trade for Vargas & Bostick, but it would have been nice to have Henry Owens to start the season, wouldn’t it?
I started reading this at the same time El Duque pulled up lame running to first base. Now looks even more likely this will occur.
I have another theory. Sean Green is done. LoDuca has hit the 35 year old wall that catchers always hit. Teams will steal on him at will this year. Burgos is an AAA project that should avoid NY at all costs until he learns to pitch. Pelfrey is as ready as he can be so let’s just hope the Mets realize it’s his time. And Lastings but not least, why is anybody talking about sending him down? Like Pelfrey, it is his time and he has EARNED the chance to play everyday. Isn’t that what Spring training is supposed to be? What has Green shown us?
John,
I think you are right. Pelfrey has pitched his way north and everyone else has pitched themselves off,
As for Mike’s comparison with Lastings, the difference is not so clear cut. With the pitching there is no choice, We are as weak in starters and relievers as can be so since Pelfrey has proven himself so far we have no choice.
Omar in the offseason got enough people to man the OF because Lastings imploded last year. He seems to have turned around but now it is a numbers game. I wouldn’t mind which way the Mets go, but I see him being in the lineup this year sooner or later unless Endy keeps him out.
Dave
Dave,
The questions regarding Milledge seem to have been answered as best as possible. Sean Green has shown nothing so far this Spring and I don’t think this team can get too far behind in the NL East this year. When old players look old, and slow, in Spring training it poses a very difficult decision for GM’s and managers. The old Al Campanis saying,”don’t fall in love with your players” applies here in regards to half of our projected starting lineup. It isn’t easy to just turn it on come April 1. I wish it were so but it isn’t… I guess we’ll see.