Mets Bullpen Stinks – What To Do?

Frankie Rodriguez, Pedro Feliciano, Jenrry Mejia, Elmer Dessens, Raul Valdez, Fernando Nieve, Ryota Igarashi, and Oliver Perez.

There you have it – The current Mets bullpen from top to bottom, best to worst.  It flat out stinks.

In April it was near the top of the National League.  A month later, I can’t imagine a worse staff.  Other than K-Rod and Feliciano, it is a bunch of rookies, journeymen and castoffs.  Perez is in a class by himself.  Igarashi and Nieve are at the back end, neither to be pitching in any situation other than mop up.  Jenrry Mejia has proven how much potential he has but is not ready to contribute often and effectively.  Elmer Dessens and Raul Valdez can be effective but should not be heavily counted on in key situations.  That leaves our only “reliable” members of the bullpen; K-Rod and Feliciano.

Enigmatic Bobby Parnell and journeyman Manny Acosta are waiting in the wings for their opportunity.

Last night in the eighth inning of the Bisons game, Manny Acosta walked three guys in a row before giving up a 3-run, tie-breaking double. Should fit right in.

Who would you want pitching in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings?

The starting five, other than Johan Santana and Mike Pelfrey do not exactly exude confidence.  Mike and Johan better consistently go seven plus innings.  R.A. Dickey can’t be expected to continue at the level of his first three starts. Jon Niese’s resume shows that he is erratic and wild.  Hisanori Takahashi’s last start is hopefully not a portent of things to come.  Oh, and how about Jason Bay and others breaking out and taking some pressure off these pitchers.

There is a disaster on the horizon.  It is already in motion and ready to explode.