Apr 24 2009
Mets Rotation: Where Do They Go From Here?
Seriously? Where do the Mets go from here? The Mets are currently in the midst of a 4 game losing streak, and after last nights game, manager Jerry Manuel discussed the possibility of making changes to the rotation if the Mets pitchers can’t get it together soon. Specifically the Mets manager said he would give the starters 1 more turn through the rotation to prove something to him, or then look to make changes. But what changes could he actually make? Let’s take a look.
First of all, both Santana, and I believe Pelfrey are fine. Even though big Pelf has been a little shakey to start the season, I believe the extra rest will have done him some good and you will see better performance from him moving forward. But he isn’t really the problem. The problem has been Maine, Oliver Perez and Livian Hernandez. What moves can he make with these 3?
Maine - He is in the last year of his contract, which will make him potential trade bait, which would seemingly be the only option for him. Maine has shown a willingness to pitch from the bullpen before, so that could be another possibility for him.
Perez - Well, the Mets signed him to a 3 year, $36 million dollar deal this off season. What the hell are they going to do now? With that kind of salary, you can’t really trade him? I’m not even sure if there would actually be interest either. I mean, Perez was signed LATE during the off season, with no other offical suitors at the time. So who would want him now that he has proven to be even more inconsistant than he was last season? Also, putting him in the bullpen is rule out, because he throws too many balls and walks hitters, which you don’t want from a bullpen guy. Although I think that is what they should do. Put him in the pen and have him only pitch to 1 or 2 hitters at a time. That should straighten his head up.
Hernandez - He is the most expendible of the 3. He has also pitched the best of the 3 respectively, but that’s not saying much. The Mets only options are to release him or send him to the pen. The Mets are hoping to get 200+ innings out of him, and they should be willing to ride him out longer than Maine or Perez.
I don’t even want to discuss who their replacement optoins are at this point, because they are not that good. Maybe I’ll do that in another post.
That’s my 2 cents… tell me yours!
