This is most unfortunate, just days before the season starts.
But if Francisco is to miss any time, let me be the first to suggest that Bobby Parnell get a chance to close. He has been absolutely dominant this spring, without allowing a run in 11+ innings. But that’s not really the issue.
The 2012 Mets, let’s face it, probably aren’t going anywhere this year. And it behooves the team to find out if Bobby Parnell can help them as a closer for the next few years. No, last year’s struggles don’t mean he has some psychological block to closing. He was pitching poorly prior to getting the job, and pitched poorly while he had the job, then pitched poorly after he lost the job.
He’s changed his approach and added a pitch. Moreover, Jon Rauch, the guy who would apparently be next in line to close, is neither a particularly impressive choice for 2012, nor a long-term option for the team, signed through 2012.
This could be just the chance the Mets have been looking for to give Bobby Parnell another shot at breaking through. It should be, anyway.
2 Comments
C’mon, Bobby. Make Salisbury, North Carolina proud. You’ll be 28 this year. Show it or blow it.
My thoughts exactly, then I read somewhere that he’ll “spot start” for Johan. Why do the Mets have to do every conceivable wrong thing possible? Sometimes a franchise will make a decision that ends up being a bad one, and all the radio guys and bloggers say “hindsight is 20/20.” With the Mets, I feel like the bad decisions are obviously bad when they’re made, everyone calls them out on it, and the predictable thing happens.
Mark my words, the Mets will NOT capitalize on this opportunity. The only difference between Jerry Manuel and Terry Collins is personality. Same undeserved roles. Same blind veteran favoritism. Same buntaholism. Same throwing players under the bus. Same stupid overrated pitching coach. Same irrational obsession with handedness matchups. Bottom line, some lame veteran will close, just like when “Brains” Manuel gave Fernando Tatis ABs while Nick Evans rode the pine.