24
2010
Mejia’s Future…as a Closer?
An article by 
There has been a lot of talk about what to do with Jenrry Mejia. Do the Mets send him to the minor leagues and start to stretch him out to become a starting pitcher? Do they keep him in the bullpen and hope he matures in the major leagues?
After Francisco Rodriguez’s best attempt to allow the Yankees to have yet another Subway Series moment, I’ve decided what the future should hold for Mejia.
This kid needs to be groomed for a future as a closer in the big leagues. Whether that means send him down and have him work on that mindset in the minor leagues if the 2010 Mets are ever “out of it”, or have him remain in the bullpen to get tough outs in the 7th inning, that’s up to the guys who get paid to make those decisions.
I realize the 2010 Mets need starting pitching, but I just don’t see a possible scenario where Mejia is sent to the minors to get “stretched out,” and then comes back in time to help the ballclub in the rotation. I also haven’t seen enough from Mejia in 2010 to tell me his stuff is good enough to go through a lineup more than once.
Think about the whole Joba Chamberlain experiment in the Bronx. Joba has much more “stuff” than Mejia, so giving him a shot as a starter made sense. However, when push came to shove, I think we all agree that Chamberlain is best suited for the 8th inning role, and eventually will be a closer.
This team needs starting pitching, but the best organizations know how to focus on 2010, while planning for 2011, 2012 etc. Having Mejia as a starting pitcher to me, won’t give this team any better results than if Takahashi remained in the rotation full-time, or if John Maine wipes the puss off his face and starts pitching.
This is a franchise that has consistently signed free agent closers who are either past their prime, or will be by the end of their contract with the Mets. To me, that 9th inning role is as important to this franchise moving forward as any 4th or 5th starter. Think about the league’s 4th and 5th starters. Some would say, they are a dime a dozen, it’s just about whether you pick the right ones to fill your rotation.
Now, think about the league’s best closers. If I had a team and needed 3 outs, I’d go to guys like Mariano Rivera, Jonathan Papelbon, Heath Bell, Jonathan Broxton, and probably Brian Wilson. Sure, there are guys like Matt Capps, Francisco Cordero, and Rafael Soriano etc. stacking up the Saves right now. However, over the last few years, the 5 I previously mentioned to me are the guys you should have the most confidence in.
Other than Heath Bell, my top closers all have been with just 1 team each. Bell of course was a part of the Mets for three years prior to landing in San Diego. By the way, I do not fault the Mets for giving up on Bell. The guy was 28 years old and consistently had an ERA over 5.00 and was not coming close to striking batters out at the pace in which he currently does. It happens, but it’s not as though they gave up on Bell when he was 25.
Now, consider that (in my opinion) the 5 best closers in Major League Baseball all began their closer role career with the team they are currently on. Now, look at the Mets over the course of time with that same position.
2009 – 2010: Francisco Rodriguez signed at age 27, but everybody thinking he may have already past his prime.
2006 – 2008: Billy Wagner signed at the age of 34.
2004 – 2005: Braden Looper, signed at the age of 29.
1999 – 2003: Acquired Armando Benitez in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles. Benitez was just 26 years old, but had already foreshadowed his ability to blow games 2 years earlier with the famous Jeffrey Maier home run.
1990 – 2003: The Mets acquired John Franco, who would be granted free agency 3 times during this time period, and all 3 times he signed with the Mets. Franco was 29 years old when he first pitched for the Mets. They signed him prior to the 1995 season at age 34, then prior to the 2001 season at age 40, and finally prior to the 2004 season at age 43. He really stopped closing games though in 1999 with the arrival of Benitez.
1992: Who can forget about Anthony Young? Young is possibly the only reason I can think of that would create fear of turning Mejia into a Closer. Young was drafted by the Mets out of the University of Houston in the 38th round of the 1987 draft.
1988-1989: Prior to John Franco and the Anthony Young experiment, the Mets had Randy Myers as their closer. The problem is, the Mets only had him in that role for two years before they decided to trade him to Cincinnati for John Franco.
So as you can see, the Mets have been through this odd stage in their organization history where they acquire closers who all seem to be very good at one thing. Giving Mets fan heart burn.
There are plenty of starting pitchers out there if this team was truly interested in making a run for a playoff berth. However, the future has to be considered for life after K-Rod. The Mets have 2 choices, they can continue to just wait for another closer to hit free agency past their prime and deal with the same old RISP in the 9th inning saga, or they can see if they already have a future closer wearing a uniform right now in Jenrry Mejia.
Francisco Rodriguez’s contract is up after the 2011 season, unless he meets certain criteria that would force a 2012 option to be enacted. Finding a closer to fill that gap is as important in my opinion as finding a 4th or 5th starter. The Mets stadium is built for close games, won or lost by the quality of your bullpen. If the Mets want to build a team to win in their stadium, they need a closer to fill that role for several years to come.
I think the best thing you can do for Mejia, the 2010 Mets, and the future Mets is to keep Mejia in the bullpen. Let him hang out with a guy like Francisco Rodriguez. Watch him prepare for the 9th inning. Let him take his lumps in the 7th or 8th inning, so that he can find the stuff that works when you only need to get 3 or 4 outs.
If the Mets don’t plan on Mejia to be their closer in 2012 (or 2013), then what could possibly be their plan of action except to hope a guy like Papelbon or Broxton hit the open market, but even that would just become business as usual.
About the Author: Michael J. Branda
I work for a non-profit organization, working closely with all of our fundraisers in hope of one day finding a cure. My time with MMO began in July of 2009 when I wrote a Fan Post defending Omar Minaya (before it was cool to do that.) I grew up a Mets fan with the mid 1980's teams. My favorite Met of all-time is (and was) Wally Backman. When it comes to sabermetrics versus old school thinking, I like to think I meet in the middle. I believe thinking of new ways to get answers is helpful, especially when the same way has not produced results. However, I think over-thinking certain situations can get you into trouble. I'm excited for the new regime, because I believe they have pieces in place to focus on several aspects of the Mets organization. I've waited this long for a World Series, waiting a few more years for another chance isn't going to kill me.
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UMMMMMMM no. Why would you want to send him to the minors to learn the bullpen???A role he has in the majors already. The Mets need him to be a starter so send him down and if he doesnt cut it then try the closer thing in 2011-12. A starter is worth way more than a reliever. We should be more concerned with who will compliment/take over for Johan.
Pete, outside of his record in the FSL against unwashed,unproven, a paycheck beyond amateur competition where he was 3-1 exactly what of Mejia habve u seen that makes u consider him SP material? There’s no more specious a consideration than the need for a starter in ’10. Why does everyone, ignore the experience level as a SP of Takahashi; most likely the BEST LH-SP on the roster! His fomer team has long been considereed the premiere team in Japan akin in consideration to the NYY in MLB. he was their #2 stud for 9 years! We act suprised when he excels & becry our need to replace Ollie. But WHY?
Mejia against trained opposition of AA or higher levels as a SP is 1-8 is that Johan heir material? Does anyone expect him to maintain 95+ for Starting workloads? Is he so much more hittable as a SP or does multiple ABs tend to remove the urgency to swing @ pitches destined to be out of the ZONE? If his velocity is yhrottled back does his MAGIC MOVEMENT disappear? With the less violent delivery of a SP drop needed MPH of his offerings?
IF IT AIN’T BROKE WHY ARE U TINKERING?
A SP of any caliber effects 20% of the games a team plays, a closer much more. GOOD,BAD OR UGLY!
Turning an under performing SP prospect into a reliever is commonplace, developing an ‘IT’ one inning pitcher is exceptional creating that IT pitcher from an unremarkable SP turned above average reliever morphed into an ‘IT’ is miraculous. discarding that miracle to recreate a SP of undetermined effectiveness. is just PLAIN STUPIDITY!
I SEE NO INCLINATION TO SUSPECT A STRETCHED OUT MEJIA CAN RETURN AS A SP MORE EFFECTIVE THAN ANTICIPATED RESULTS COMPILED BY A DILLON GEE.
BTW, PRESENTLY THE CUPBOARD IS BARREN OF POTENTIAL CLOSERS AS KUNZ IS NOW A SP IN AA & DESSENS WAS THE AAA CLOSER!
THEREFORE the true future need post 2011 is CLOSER! 2008 should be all the proof warranted.
And where in that tirade did you debunk what I said? He has no experience so that automaticly makes him a bullpen guy only? He has 70 innings above A ball. He should have the chance to PROVE he has the stuff to be a front line starter. For all we know he will be a true ace on the mound. But everone wants him to close. If thats the case leave him in the bigs to learn the role. Let him keep facing major league hitters.
No no that’s not what I meant. There were thoughts about him being sent down to get stretched out to be a starter… I think he should stay in the Mets pen this yr, sit with KRod, learn from him and if the team is ever “out of it” go down to the minors and pitch in some 9th inning opportunities.
I don’t want him being sent down today to just throw in the bullpen in the minors.
I agree that a starter of Johan’s caliber is more important, but I’m just saying I don’t think Mejia is that type of pitcher. He’s the type I feel most hitters will catch up to on the 2nd time through the lineup. He’s got closer stuff, he’s not a future #1 starter in my opinion
How would you know though? From the 60 or so innings he’s had above AA?? This is why he needs the rest of this year and Winter ball and Spring Training next year as a starter to find out if he can cut it or not. Then turn him into K-Rods replacement.
How you don’t have a job as a top scout in the MLB is, frankly, beyond me!
Because I used common sense?? Or is the fact I dont take his SMALL SAMPLE SIZE for more than it is….A SMALL SAMPLE.
Well my thoughts are…
He throws hard but not hard enough. I think it’s great that he throws high 90′s but big whoop, hitters can hit high 90′s, and he really lacks those secondary pitches to keep hitters honest. I think this stint in the Mets bullpen is accomplishing 1 of 2 things.
1) showcasing him for a deal
2) waisting Mejia’s and the Mets time.
Look, young hard throwing relievers are the things of trade bait. They have a low success rate, and only a few select special pitchers ever make it as a hard throwing closer. Unless you are consistently eclipsing 100 mph on your fastball, then you will need to rely on secondary pitches, which Mejia can not consistently rely on.
Send him down to be lengthened out, this stint in the majors gave him an oppurtunity to adjust to the speed of the game and the skill level he will eventually face on a day to day basis. The days of just hurling it up there are over, pitchers must pitch, not just throw and secondary pitches are a must.
His presence on the 2010 MLB roster will not impact the Mets either way, therefore it is better for the Future roster that he be sent down and have more oppurtnities to pitch more innings and continue his development.
Pat Misch, or even Bobby Parnell (despite his horrible ERA and struggles) will serve as a suitable replacement to take over the 1 or 2 innings Mejia sees a week
I was originally against Mejia even making the club in the Spring. I still wrestle with the fact that he needs to work on his other pitches. He hasn’t been used in a way that would allow the opposing teams offense to get a second look at him.
It’s a double edge sword because it helps that he’s pitched well but at the same time it masks his abilities since we don’t know what teams will do to him a second or third time around.
You may be right, sending him to the minors just to “stretch out” his arm may not be as productive as learning on the job.
We’ll see.
Sending him down wont be just to stretch out though. Its to learn how to harnass and perfect his plus secondary pitches and learn how and when to use them on a consistant basis.
Besides the guy who closes for the Yanks every closer gives fans heartburn .Tug MCGRAW,Orosco they were all the nerve wrecking same.If Mejia iz starter capable he should start. The real question iz do the Mets even have anybody capable of evaluating that.If Maine starts pitching as you say he will give us between 4 and 5 heartless frames. He should be sent to the minors until he learns,something they do in little league,don’t degrade the game by acting up on the mound.AFTER LEARNING THIS FACT HE WILL STILL BE USELESS WITH OR WITHOUT PUSS ON HIS FACE.He iz a big waste of time.
Thank you for that Captain Grammar…
This idea is absolutely absurd. You don’t “groom” a 20 year old kid with a 95 mph plus fastball to be a closer when good starting pitching is at such a premium. Any yutz with decent stuff can finish games and probably get 30 saves if you use him enough. Closers evolve when they prove they can’t really be starters. When the Mets have had such a tough time putting together a good five-man staff, I can’t for the life of me figure out why you’d suggest something so silly. Mejia should be in the minors right now developing his starter stuff. If he shows in the next couple of years that he’s more suited to the pen, that will happen on it’s own and he can be moved there.
“This idea is absolutely absurd. You don’t “groom” a 20 year old kid with a 95 mph plus fastball to be a closer”
Oh really? So when Joba was 21, 22 the thought of him being a closer of the future never crossed the Yankees mind? They only gave him a shot as a starter because that was their original plan and look how that worked.
Don’t tell me you don’t groom young players to be closers.
Joba was moved to the pen because the Yankees had a deep rotation and no bridge to Rivera. You try to develop Mejia as a top flight starter first and if he’s too fragile to go deep into games or can’t develop multiple pitches, then you make him a flame throwing closer.
One of the best starting pitching prospects of all time who broke several NCAA pitching and strikeout records and threw 100 MPH, was drafted in the first round, pitched a year as starter and then was groomed as a closer. He’ll probably go to the Hall of Fame some day and his name is Billy Wagner.
Wagner’s not a Hall of Famer, but your point is noted and I appreciate it. It’s a valid argument
I know why they need this fine young pitcher on the major league roster, but this is what happens when a ballclub doesn’t have the luxury of letting him “blossom” at the minor league level. If in a few weeks we are mired in last or close to it and the season looks doomed, send him down and bring in the best minor league pitching coach you can find and let them work with him, evaluate his talent as a startor, or long reliever,set up guy or closer and go from there. right now it appears they are shooting darts at the board. It is very easy to confuse and ruin this young guy with a fine pitching arm with the wrong decision.
I’ve been saying this since seeing Mejia in Spring Training. I’ve also followed his short career and a lot of people say that he has a hard time facing a lineup the 2nd and 3rd time around. He showed Saturday night he can come in during a high pressure spot, getting in a little trouble but he kept his cool and got the outs!
I still think Mejia needs to go down as a bullpen guy, work on his secondary pitches and come up and be K-Rod’s setup guy until K-Rod leaves then he takes over as the closer.
“After Francisco Rodriguez’s best attempt to allow the Yankees to have yet another Subway Series moment, I’ve decided what the future should hold for Mejia. This kid needs to be groomed for a future closer”
Stop the presses, call the wilpons, call minaya and tell the JesseP from MMO has spoken, mejia to the minors, get him ready as a closer.. (roll eyes)
They are on the phone with Dayton Moore (he’s the GM of KC which I know you probably didn’t know) They are busy trying to convince him that Alex68 thinks the Royals should deal Zack Greinke for David Wright. It makes perfect sense they say, yet Dayton Moore keeps hanging up.
LOL Nice one. Maybe we can get Oswalt for Castillo and a rosin bag?
Wow, really?? He’s the GM of the royals?? Oh man, thanks for the 411, I wonder if the mets would even attempt to discuss anything before talking it over with you, seems ur the 20 year old boy wonder who seems to know it all..
I wonder if I hit a nerve with the greinke talk, what was it, me wishing to trade the golden boy or COZ the simple comment I made got more talk than all your stupid post combined???
Ur the one defending OLIVER PEREZ like an dumbass, and then after his meltdown u hide out like u stole something..
U still got a lot to learn, ur arrogance doesn’t let u think straight
You think I care that you want to deal David Wright or that you hate him and curse out the Fathead on your bedroom wall every night before bed?
You have tried and failed to say the Royals would/should consider dealing Greinke. You claim I don’t admit to being wrong yet you haven’t backed down from this absurd suggestion.
I’m not going to apologize for trying to see the positive in a player wearing my favorite team’s uniform.
Tell ya what Alex. I’d rather root for the worst player on the 2010 Mets team to succeed over what you do; which is root for one of the best players on the team to fail just so you can look smart for a day.
Awww, did I hit a nerve?? Look bro, I never said I hate david wright or that I’m gonna root against him, all I said was the truth, that he’s unclutch, that he’s not the godsend metsfans thought he was, and that w/o beltran and delgado to protect him he looks average.. period..
And also, I never said that the royals should or would trade greinke, I said i’d trade wright for greinke straight up, if u didn’t like that then too bad, at least I won’t force u the garbage u try to force some ppl here COZ they don’t agree with your post.. or call you nancy COZ u don’t agree with me..
Funny how u like guys who haven’t been closers for more than 3 years ahead of krod a proven winner and a guy that no matter how, he always gets the job done and is only 28, way to support your own players, is funny how you criticize me about not supporting wright and yet you got :
Broxton: 65 career saves with only 2 full years as a closer and is always hurt
Wilson: 28 years old with 96 career saves and since been a closer 3.45 ERA including a whooping 4.64 ERA in 2008
Heath bell: who became a closer LAST YEAR!!!!! And has amount 54 saves his whole life and is 31 years old
And yet all this are better than krod who saved since 2005 45, 47, 40 62 and with a triple A mets team last year 35 games, and YOU don’t trust him ahead of those guys and criticize me for not supporting my own players.. which one is it?? Be consistan, sometimes your arrogance doesn’t let you think straight, or at all if u ask me, base on your posts..
I’ll stick to baseball talk and not playstation talk and just assume when you asked me “you don’t think the royals would make that trade?” didn’t mean you were saying they would.
About your closers.
“No matter how he gets the job done” A closers job is to get 3 outs and to not put runners on base or put the tying run to the plate if up by more than 1 run. I love K-Rod, but I don’t consider him one of the best in the league anymore.
Don’t tell me I don’t support my players. Again, you’re trying every way you can to make your arguments against me and not within an actual debate. I could say “i like apples” and you’ll write some stupid post about why apples suck.
Jonathan Broxton whom you mention as being always hurt, pitched in 68-83-70-73 games the last four years. Do you even watch baseball or do you just make things up and hope people believe you? Since you clearly do not, the last two seasons here are Broxton’s # compared to K-Rod.
69IP, 88K, 27BB, 54H
68IP, 77K, 34BB, 54H – KRod
– I’d rather have the guy here who strikes more batters out, and gives up less walks. That was Broxton, and this was K-Rod’s record season.
76IP, 114K, 29BB, 44H
68IP, 73K, 38BB, 51H – KRod
– Not even debateable who was a more dominant closer here. Funny that Broxton is “always injured” but in his 2 seasons as closer for LAD he’s thrown more innings than K-Rod.
Brian Wilson:
62.1IP, 67K, 28BB, 62H
68IP, 77K, 34BB, 54H
– I can concede KRod had a better year here for sure
72IP, 83K, 27BB, 60H
68IP, 73K, 38BB, 51H – KRod
I’d prefer Wilson’s numbers here but a close matchup. My preference to Wilson was the grit he showed in the final game of the Mets series.
As for Heath Bell, do you choose who you want to pitch the 9th inning by how many year’s they’ve done it or by how good they are?
Are you telling me that Bell last year and this year is not a more dominant option?
69.2IP, 79K, 24BB, 54H
68IP, 73K, 38BB, 51H – KRod
Alex, the sooner you realize the save stat is overrated, the better you’ll understand baseball. A closer’s job is to not put the team in jeopardy and close the game.
If you only use saves as your measure then you’re telling me you’d prefer a guy who has 45 saves but in 15 of them loaded the bases, compared to a guy with 30 saves who strikes out at least 1 batter per inning and doesn’t allow more hits than IP.
If I’m picking my closers, I go Mariano, Papelbon, Broxton, Bell, and then K-Rod or Wilson.
So me saying KRod is the 5th best closer in the league is me not supporting him? The problem to me is that the difference between him at 5th or 6th best and a guy like Broxton at 3rd best is a big gap.
Closer is about dominance, not just about getting a Save stat
So wilson who had a 4.64 ERA in 2008 is better than krod? Oh, and about broxton, he was a set up man for the dodgers then became a closer when saito got hurt, so he had more innings pitched than krod who’s only use to save games and a few tied ones here and there, also, heath bell??? Come on bro, heath bell?? 1 year as a closer and to you he’s already better than krod??? Wow.. I guess I’ll move on from this conversation.. wow is all I gotta say
Alex, is 2007 KRod closing games in 2010 or is 2010 KRod doing that? Yes, Heath Bell to me is a better closer than K-Rod right now. He gives up less walks, strikes out more batters per inning. He’s more dominant than KRod
See again you’re reading what you want because it’s me talking… but I’m the closed minded one right?
I *clearly* said when comparing Wilson’s 2008 stats to KRod’s “I can concede KRod had a better year here for sure” but you read that as me saying “So wilson who had a 4.64 ERA in 2008 is better than krod?”
I don’t understand your point re: Broxton. You said he’s and I quote, “always hurt.” So I mention the fact he’s pitched in 68-83-70-73 the last four years… so now you penalize him for not being a closer on Opening Day of 2008?
Heck if ANYTHING it’s MORE impressive that Broxton had the year he had in 2008 considering his first save was in July of 08.
So Alex are you telling me that KRod to you is the 3rd best closer in MLB right now? You seem to be conceding Mo and Papelbon which is great, we’re halfway there.
So you’re telling me game on the line 2 run lead in the 9th, you would prefer KRod over Jon Broxton, or Heath Bell… remember it’s 2010, not 2007.
You’re arguing just to argue. You’re down playing the guy who won the award for best reliever in the NL last year because of his 2007 season. It’s ridiculous.
Is like you defending maine or perez when the only good year as mets were 2007 yet you and others keep bringing it up.. in MY opinion just as yours a closer shouldn’t be judge how good he is until proven, proven as a closer to me is playoffs tested, pennants runs, and krod, mo and papelbon have been so I won’t argue there, but broxton as we’ve seen has folded BIG time under pressure and in the playoffs, wilson hasn’t even sniffed meaningful games and heath bell?? Plz, saves to me matter, but to me pressure situations are what define career as closers if u ask me, talk to me when any of those 3 are in tighter pressure situations as krod has been.. then if they do what he’s done u got an argument, so far, u don’t, ur saying saves doesn’t matter yet ur throwing a bunch of numbers at me of ip hits allowed and walks.. can’t have it both ways.. wagner, 350+ saves, go ask houston, phillies and mets fans if he’s a hall of famer after crumbling time after time after time in the playoffs or tight situations..
Re: Your playoff preaching… KRod in 07 and 08 was pretty damn awful in the post-season. His best years as a closer in the post-season were when he was a 20-23 yr old kid.
IP/K/H are more important than Saves. A save is a stat that can be altered to fit a pitcher’s statistical resume. If a pitcher has a 3 run lead and gives up 2 runs in the 9th but gets the 3rd out, he gets a Save… to you looking at saves, you say that was a success. That’s not a good closer. A good closer shuts the door, they don’t let the team get back into the game.
So again you have not answered me. You’re telling me you feel Francisco Rodriguez is the 3rd best closer in MLB right now, is that what you’re saying?
Your example of Wagner doesn’t do much here. He’s not a hall of famer because he didn’t have a HOF career. What does he have to do with KRod? If anything your argument against Wagner is an argument against KRod because Wagner’s biggest flaw is allowing runners on base in the 9th. When you allow runners to get on, you put yourself in a position to blow the game. When you don’t allow runners on base such as a Jon Broxton, you give the other team fewer chances to comeback. It’s pretty simple actually.
BTW, how come Broxton’s performances v. STL in the playoffs don’t count? His numbers in that series were better than KRod’s numbers in the post-season since 2005. So how come that doesn’t count for Broxton?
I see the argument about making Mejia and it has a lot of good points, but I have to disagree. He should be sent back down and he should stay probably stay in the minors for the whole year. The problem is that he does not have the command he needs. Last night he threw 19 pitches and 7 were balls. That is not bad. But look at other nights and you see he threw almost an equal number of balls and strikes. His value is not just in the velocity of his fastball. As other people pointed out, batters can hit pitches in the high 90s. Look at Matt Lindstrom’s career as an example. What makes Mejia special is that he can pitch in the high 90s and he tremendous movement on his pitch. But that is also the source of his lack of control. I am guessing here, but it seems that his pitches get higher in the strike zone as his pitch count in an inning rises. (This happens when he is throwing a lot of balls.) I am wondering if he gets tired or if he does this because he is compensating for pitches that are too low. Either way, the result is the same. Batters wait for the walk. He tries to throw a different pitch here, but then again, we see the problem. He does not really have one. His curve goes all over the place.
So leaving him up here to be a closer does not seem like the best option to me, even if the goal is to make him a closer.
So that brings up the second question, do we make him a closer or a starter. Again, there are good arguments on both sides and a top closer is valuable. The Yankees would not have been the same without Rivera. John Franco is also a good example (in his prime)of the value of a closer. (Franco is also a good example of one way to be a closer. His best pitch was a chang-up. I think his fast ball was in the high 80s, topping out at 90. But he had an attitude that showed no fear. I am looking forward to him knocking someone down in an Old Timer’s game.)
But what if he is a good closer and not a top-top closer? Which is more valuable, a good closer or a good starter? I have to go with the good starter. And which is more valuable, a top-top starter or a top-top closer? Again, the choice for me is the starter. So, for me, the only time I would chose the closer if the choice is between a top closer and a good starter. At this point, we don’t know which one of these outcomes will best describe Mejia. Given the outcomes, the best strategy seems to try to make him a starter and then see what happens.
But what about this year? I say we can’t give up the potential for a win this year. For the longest time the Mets signed people who were good for a year but had been given 3, 4, and 5 year contracts. We should not do this with a young minor league player. Think of him as having a 5, 6, 7 year contract. We want to keep him for the full term.
This may actually be the single dumbest post in the history of the internet. You’re basing your assumptions about his ability on less than 70 innings in the high minors and a few major league outings all before the age of 21.
His overall “stuff” is probably not on Joba’s level yet because he should be working in the minors every fifth day developing it. Instead, jackass Jerry and fans like you have th front office stunting his development in the majors. His fastball is as good as anybody (besides possibly Strasburg) currently in the minors. With his groundball tendencies, that type of “stuff” projects to front of the rotation starter with a serviceable change and curve. 2010 should not matter in the discussion with Mejia…he should be in the minors developing so we can maximize the value of our assets.