6
2009
Should “The Fab Three” Stay Or Should They Go?
An article by Former Writers
This season the Mets have seen many new additions to their big league roster in order to compensate for their injured stars. Some of these roles have been occupied by career minor leaguers, while others have been filled by seasoned veterans, who have shuttled between teams throughout their career.
In particular the starting pitching staff has been decimated by injuries. Three of the team’s top pitchers (Santana, Maine and Perez) are all currently on the disabled list, and only one of them (Maine) has any chance of coming back by the season’s end.
The replacements for this trio are the tandem of Nelson Figueroa, Tim Redding and Pat Misch or as Ron Darling has coined them “The Fab Three”.
Let’s take a look at these players and examine whether or not they are worthy of a role with the team in 2010.
Nelson Figueroa -
In the words of SNY personality Adam Schein, Nelson Figueroa is “my guy”.
Despite riding the Heath Bell express throughout his two years in the big apple, Figueroa has generally been reliable to make a spot start or a long relief appearance.
He maybe 35 years of age, which makes him no youngster, but Figgy has shown this year he can still pitch effectively at the major league level.
As a matter of fact in his one of his recent starts against the Chicago Cubs, Figueroa pitched one of the best games in his career when he struck out ten batters and held the opposition to only one run.
In 38 innings pitched this year, Figueroa has maintained a 4.74 ERA, which is just a hair above his career average (4.62).
One thing to keep in mind with Nelson is that he is not a lights out pitcher, and he generally does not pitch very deep into games.
What makes Figueroa so attractive is the bevy of international experience this player has. He has pitched all over the globe and has found success pretty much everywhere he has been.
Verdict:I like what Figueroa has done for the depleted ball club this year, however I would not give him a guaranteed major league deal, which he has been seeking the past few seasons. What I would offer him, though, is another minor league deal that way he could possibly help the club later on next season if injuries strike. The rest of the decision would be left in his hands.
Tim Redding -
It’s been a rough year for The Honeymooners star, Joyce Randolph’s grand-nephrew, Tim Redding. Sidelined by a foot injury in Spring Training that resulted in arm trouble later on, Redding has had a tough season to say the least. To add insult to injury had it not been for the rash of injuries, Redding would have been released a couple of months ago.
Luckily, for him he has strung together three strong outings in his past three starts, including holding the potent Philadelphia Phillies lineup to just one run over five innings. Redding brings to the table veteran experience and has had some success at the major league level with both Houston and Washington.
This year with the Mets, Redding has appeared in 25 games and started 12 of them. Over that period of time he has pitched to a 5.70 ERA with a 60:37 K:BB Ratio.
Looking solely at the stats it would appear that Redding is an easy candidate to be let go at the year’s end, but he does make a case to stay.
Despite, being ridiculed by both the fans and the media, and even being shunned by his own teammates Redding has still kept his head up and remained professional.
Also, as field reporter, Kevin Burkhardt, pointed out, Redding is still arbitration eligible, which could improve the chances of him being brought back.
Verdict: Even with a strong showing down the stretch I don’t see Redding pitching in a Mets uniform. It’s a shame because he seems like a good guy overall and a good teammate, but it is what it is. I think he will find work at as back-of-the-rotation starter on another NL team.
Pat Misch -
Pat Misch has been quite a bargain for the Mets, since they claimed him off of waivers from the Giants earlier in the year. Before joining the Mets, Misch had spent two seasons as both a starter and reliever in San Francisco. At that time it appeared Misch did not have big league stuff.
However, Pat has put all that behind him and cherished the change of scenery from one coast to the other. In his brief Mets tenure Misch has been rather impressive.
In 17 games this year with New York, Misch has posted a 2.48 ERA. This includes two appearances as a starter, both of which lasted seven innings.
Misch is not a hard thrower and doesn’t strike out many batters. As a matter of fact his K:BB ratio with the Mets is practically 1:1 (18:14). Instead of trying to baffle hitters he pitches to contact and induces many fly outs.
His pitching style fits Citi Field rather well because the ballpark does not yield many home runs due to it’s deep dimensions.
Although Misch is pitching very well as a starter right now, I do not see that being his role with the team for the long term.
As Ed Ryan at Mets Fever points out, Misch’s career numbers as a reliever (2.85 ERA) are far better than those in the twelve games he has started (6.32).
Thus, I see him as a long reliever, who can also take some of the burden off of Pedro Feliciano when it comes to getting left-handed hitters out.
Verdict: Misch should absolutely be brought back next season. He’s cheap, young and has good stuff. The Mets cannot count on him to be a starter, but I think he would be very successful out of the bullpen. In the event of an injury Misch would be available to slide in and provide the team with a player, who has the ability to pitch quality outings.
About the Author: Former Writers
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Redding should definitely go. Nothing he has done has impressed me. Plus, he is probably the most expensive of the three pitchers you reviewed.
Misch should stay, but mainly because he is a lefty. The Mets will have two lefty starters next year and both are coming off season-ending surgery. Misch could be an emergency fill-in should something go wrong (and with Ollie, you know it will).
Figueroa might be getting up there in age, but I have a personal liking of him, so I’m biased. Yes, I want him back in a Mets uniform. I don’t know if he’d stay up with the big club for the entire season, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it. As you say, his experience is a plus and I’ve liked what I’ve seen since his most recent call-up.
Of the 3 Tim Redding should be the one most likely to STAY.
He’s a proven major leaguer and has pitched well for us all year when we really needed him to. Sure he’s been lit up good in a few spots but usually in long relief in an already lost game and people usually tend to focus on that. He’s had a couple of really bad starts too , thus the high era. But generally he’s been exactly what a journeyman pitcher is – he eats innings for us, gives the setup men a break, spot starts and pitches long relief. He helps the staff out.
I’m happy with Redding this year and would give him another chance next year.
Misch & Figueroa have done pretty good but don’t have Redding’s experience. I want to see them do it again in spring training next year.
Like Steve Trachsel, Redding gets no respect from Mets fans because he’s not an exciting player. He’s just a decent pitcher with deceiving numbers who helps you out in different kinds of ways.
I’ll take him.
I dont agree with that at all. First of all the Mets have got to learn the meaning of the phrase value signing. Redding was a terrible signing and they paid $2.25 MM for a 5.70 ERA which is in the bottom 5% of all Major league starters. Additionally he’s only given the Mets one two wins for their money. Also, he has gotten almost a full run support more than Figueroa. resigning him would cost even more because he would want a raise.
The Mets paid both Misch and Figueroa $400 K. Figgy’s ERA is a full run less than Redding at 4.74. He also has better than 2:1 K:BB ration while Redding isnt even close.
You say you want Redding because he has more experience, but you should want the better pitcher not the one with more experience.
Misch has pitchede even better than both of them and of the three, he has the most upside.
The Mets have to stop spending their money foolishly and start recognizing value picks when they see them.
Instead of spending 20 million on Perez, Maine and Pelfrey, the Mets should get Halladay, Misch and Figuerora for $5 million less, and go on with the business of winning a pennant.
You’ve made a good case and it would be great to have Halladay in the rotation. If only……
Looking to next saeason and given the uncertainties with the Mets starting rotation, I believe we should keep all 3 of them. Redding has shown he can pitch and if he can attain consistency he could be in the tail end of the rotation. Some offensive support would certainly help him as he had barely any this year. Figueroa has also shown he can pitch in the majors and should be given a 1 yr contract in the majors. If he doesn’t make the starting rotation, he can certainly be a good long man, better than Dessens. Misch has shown too much potential to be let go. The Mets need to retain him at least for a place in BP. There are worse on the team than him. All 3 are relatively cheap and fit into the no money to spend environment.
Keep Misch and Figgy. Let Redding go to another team.
Misch and Figueroa are cheaper. Figgy is probably better than any scrap-heap #5′s out there, and Misch could be a lefty-reliever or a AAA starter until he’s needed. Injuries strike every year, so we’d always need depth. Misch and Figueroa would both be cheaper than Redding.
I have to admit, Redding has grit. “True Grit” like John Wayne.
Figs has moixe, real moxie like a young Charles Bronson in
“The Magnifcant Seven.”
And Misch has smarts like the skinny wineo dynamit expert in great western movie, “The War Wagon.”
Shrugs. Redding is gonna stay becasue he is being paid and who is gonna take his contract? Misch goes to AAA and Figs get the short end of the stick AGAIN!
Who cares,keep them all.But you better either sign Lackey in the off season or trade for Halladay.This way next year you could have. Santana halladay/lackey then everyone battle for the 3-5 spots in the rotation.I think Maine should be in the pen,along with Krod PedroF Bostick Parnell.Then all the others fight for the 2 spots in the rotation and the bullpen.There is alot of names without adding free-agents.Perez-Niese-Nieve-Redding-Misch-Kunz-NelsonF-DillonGee-Tobi Stoner.
Whoops forgot big Pelf.