Mets Position Battle Watch: Bullpen

Unless the Mets plans go terribly awry this spring, two of the following will make the team between fifth starter candidates Freddy Garcia, Tim Redding, Jon Niese and even Livan Hernandez who has impressed so far with a lively fastball.

One of those four will obviously be slotted right behind John Maine, but one other should make the bullpen as a long reliever.

That means quite a battle for the remaining bullpen spots behind K-Rod, Putz, Feliciano, and Sean Green who are all assured jobs.

Duaner Sanchez, Brian Stokes, Rule 5 additions Darren O’Day and Rocky Cherry, and minor leaguers Carlos Muniz, Bobby Parnell and Eddie Kunz will all compete for those final two spots.

,I believe Kunz and Muniz will both end up closing and setting up for Buffalo. So basically it’s five guys duking it out for two spots. If the Mets choose to keep one of the two Rule 5 pitchers, than it’s really just one spot.

Duaner Sanchez got off to a bad start in yesterdays game, loading the bases on two walks and serving up a single which drove in a run.

Stokes and Day both did rather well and pitched a perfect inning each.

We’re going to monitor the battle in this new series, and keep a scorecard based on how the pitchers are performing this spring. Stokes and Day currently lead the pack.

1. Stokes
2. Day
3. Sanchez
4.Cherry
5. Parnell

Comments are appreciated.