From now until Billy Wagner is eligible to return next Monday, manager Jerry Manuel said he might consider using starters John Maine, Oliver Perez and Mike Pelfrey out of the bullpen.
Manuel defined the problem as “finishing” games, and said that was the seventh inning on.
Manuel also said he would use a starter in a set-up role after Wagner returns.
Given that, I take that to mean he has little faith in any of his relievers.
If that’s the case, why not let Ed Kunz close until Wagner returns?
4 Comments
That’s an interesting idea. I’m assuming the starter-turned-reliever of the day will be whomever is scheduled to throw in the bullpen on that particular day between starts? My only question is whether or not starters can get warmed up quick enough during the game to be effective.
Makes sense to me. Since Mr Interim said he needs to freshen his starters it makes sense to use them in the bullpen so they get used more. It also makes sense to take the strength of the staff and mess it up so the entire staff sucks.
Well, desperate times, desperate measures and all that. If it’s a rotation within a rotation so to speak, what does it matter if they pitch in a game on their throw day rather than simply throw in the bullpen? As long as they’re not left out there too long, I don’t see that as detrimental necessarily.
Hey. They can’t do any worse than playing Russian Roulett with the current staff. Yes you may mess with the starters, but really. If they pitch their usual it’s a coin flip that the Mets win.