March 18: This thing about Adkins
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- March
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There’s no doubt Jon Adkins has been underwhelming, but there’s a better than even chance he’ll stick simply because he’s out of options. Usually, that’s not the best reason to keep a player, but it is prudent regarding the Mets for the following:
-Despite not pitching well, Adkins has had success on the major league level, and considering the potential for problems in the Mets’ rotation, which in turn drains the bullpen, a veteran arm isn’t something to toss out.
-Juan Padilla is coming off surgery, so he’s not a given.
-Who out there is completely sold on Ambiorix Burgos? I didn’t think so.
It makes sense to keep Adkins around by sending out a player with options or putting somebody on the DL. Sooner or later, they could need him, and there’s always the chance he can work out his problems.
This entry was posted
on Sunday, March 18th, 2007 at 1:22 pm by John Delcos.
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when it comes to who is the 11th or 12th pitcher on the staff, it might as well be Adkins. You cant trust Burgos in a meaningful spot, so he might as well get regular work in AAA than fall into a Jorge Julio of 2005 type role.
That said, it might be easier to DFA Adkins now, than in six weeks when other teams are more likely to develop a need.
What is the situation with Padilla? It was nice to see him get into a game, but its now been a week and he’s been MIA. Any news on him working on the side or in minor league games?
I don’t see why the Mets need to hold onto Adkins if he doesn’t pick it up. I think the Mets have all the tools to put together a fine bullpen without Padilla, Sanchez, Mota, Burgos, or Adkins. Those guys represent added depth as they become ready, if they’re around.
Joe Smith has to be the frontrunner of the fringe opening day candidates with options, and since he fills a similar role to Adkins and has been much more effective why not use him? You then also have Wagner, Heilman, Shoeneweiss and Feliciano. I’d say hold onto Sosa over Adkins as your 11th man, but keeping both is asking for trouble. They can’t have two guys that they can’t afford to trust in critical spots, and Sosa has more upside. Treat him the way Jorge Julio was treated last season.
Then the fifth starter will also be a swing man in early April. I think the best candidate for this is El Duque. If Park pitches well enough, he’s your fourth starter, and when the fifth starter becomes necessary you can either move Duque back into the rotation or call Pelfrey up. This way you maintain some depth at SP and find your usable long man, two problems solved. You also maintain flexibility in case one of the unknowns such as Perez, Park, or Pelfrey struggles.
Things change if El Duque starts the season on the DL, but that also stands to help maintain some roster flexibility and allows Pelfrey to break camp on the team. But once Duque comes back, something has to change, and I think the most obvious solution is move someone to the pen if the rotation is holding up. Duque has the experience and his health is a concern so why run up his innings early on? He can be used in a variety of roles in the pen, he’d be like a righty version of Shoeneweiss, and could be used to get one out or nine outs on any given day.
Bullpen depth should be a problem that fixes itself quicker than rotation depth. Padilla, Sanchez, and Mota will all be ready sooner than later, and add Burgos to that list eventually too. At least two of that group should be capable of making an impact this season. I never saw where Adkins fit to begin with, and given how he’s pitched I still don’t.
Rotation depth will take a little longer. Humber needs some minor league innings as does Vargas, and who knows when Pedro will be ready. Sele is really your seventh starter if he accepts a minor league assignment.