14
2011
A Closer Look At In-House Closing Options For The Mets
An article by 
Trading Krod definitely hurts the Mets Chances of making a run this season. But, as we all know it was a trade that had to happen. There are not many options in the immediate future to replace the now former all-star Mets closer. Terry Collins has not named his replacement as of yet, but you would assume it it someone who is already on the current roster.
As you look at the teams current roster shows that there are not many realistic options. But, looking at the bullpen, there are really only 3 options on the big league roster capable of potently closing games.
1. Jason Isringhausen: Izzy has the most experience of the leftover bullpen candidates. He has saved almost 300 games in his career, but his career is coming to a close. He can barely pitch back to back games now, and his stuff is no longer what it once was. His experiences and pitching know how is what mostly gets him through innings now. His Curve ball can still be an effective weapon.
2. Bobby Parnell: Parnell has the most electric stuff in the pen. He routinely hits triple digits on the radar gun. He has been much better since returning for the DL and a brief stint in the minors. He is learning how to be an effective pitcher in the bigs. Once he learns how to consistently throw his slider over for strikes, he is going to be very tough to hit. He could be the closer of the future if he learns how to do that. With Izzy a trade candidate and not part of the future, look for Parnell to get some shots at closing games in the second half.
3. Pedro Beato: Beato was a major find as a rule 5 pick by Alderson this past off season. His stuff is very good, and he has good control. Why would the Rockies let this guy walk for nothing with their bullpen issues? Beato was unhittable early in the season, until he landed on the DL. He struggled initially after his return, but has regained his early season form and is pitching like a potential set up man. At just 24 years old, that would be a huge find for the Mets.
Despite the fact that Krod was traded, we still are in this thing. As of today we are still mathematically in the race, and if we continue to hover around .500, we will most likely be in it a month from now. Whoever steps in to close games will be vital the teams success in the second half. No matter how important Krod was to the success of this team. His $17.5M price tag was such a negative for next seasons progress that he had to go.
Who do you think is the best candidate to get he first shot at closing games? Who do you think will be the most successful? Can we still compete without a dominant closer?
For more of my insights come visit us a BigAppleMetsTalk.com.
About the Author: Dan Valis
I am a staff writer for Mets Merized Online. I am a Mets team analyst with a focus on the minor league system, as well as the major league club. I am a lifelong New Yorker who was born and raised to be a Mets fan. The ups and downs of being a Mets fan is what makes following this team so much fun, but at times so frustrating. You can follow me on Twitter @BgAppleMetsTalk.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 30 | .583 | - |
| Phillies | 35 | 37 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Nationals | 34 | 36 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Mets | 27 | 40 | .403 | 12.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 48 | .314 | 19.0 |
Last updated: 06/19/2013
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Beato has a really nice arm but very inconsistent mechanics. I think they go with Izzy AND Parnell to start, until Izzy gets a few saves and is traded
dan, you pointed out this:
Trading Krod definitely hurst the Mets Chances of making a run this season. ”
agree.. they pretty much done imo.
Despite the fact that Krod was traded, we still are in this thing. ”
uhh.. we won’t be for long
yeah, dan you lost me when you wrote:
“if we continue to hover around .500, we will most likely be in it a month from now.”
what the heck does that mean? we aren’t “in it” now, and we won’t be “in it” later if we are only playing .500 ball. say dan, we are so far behind the bravos, with a closer, how do we ever catch them without a closer, even if we are playing .500 ball? This team has to start playing .750 ball, consistently, to ever be “in it” again. in the mean time it is what it is, and like they say, “there’s always next year”.
Sorry if I confused anyone. What I meant was if we continue to hover around.500 , a month from now we will still be in it mathematically and will still be playing meaningful baseball.
Maybe we will be still 6-7 games out, but we would still be in striking distance with a month or more to play in the season.
Do we all forget that this is baseball, and we saw 7 games made up on us in 17 games, the A’s went on some crazy 20 game winning streak and the Rockies won 21-22 a few years ago. We are potentially getting Wright, Davis and Johan back. Even if we trade Beltran we will still be playing games that may have some potential meaning beginning in September. As a pose to us playing out the string like we have the past few season.
It’s called re-building. How many times did I say that the Mets were undergoing a “stealth” re-building plan back in December 2010? Alot! And each time I posted I was met with, “..your an idiot!” “…you don’t know what your talking about!” etc, etc, etc….
HAaa! I knew back in December 2010 what the true intentions of the Wilpon’s were and when I shared those thoughts I was met with ridicule, disdain and .. and… not very good stuff!
I demand Kudos! I demand for my genius to be recognized! Come all you Met fans kneel before Lifelongmetsfan and perhaps a smidgin of my brain matter will peculate out of my head and you will feel my Einsteianess.
WHO’S THE MAN!
This closer by committee will be doomed to failure like all the other times in this team’s history. Not only do you have two very unexperienced new closers, but the one with experience is barely an adequate setup man. As we enter the second half, and the Mets tak a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth against the Phillies this weekend, dont be surprised with the first of many walk-off losses for the Mets the rest of the way.
“This closer by committee will be doomed to failure like all the other times in this team’s history.”
Like 1986?
How many times have the Mets used closer by committee since the mid 90s, when closer became a defined role every team was trying to fill?
How many times did they have a defined closer and failed anyway?
“Not only do you have two very unexperienced new closers, but the one with experience is barely an adequate setup man.”
Actually, Parnell has been a lot better since returning from his DL stint. And Beato has really and Izzy is a very smart veteran. They will do fine in this over hyped, barely consequential role.
“As we enter the second half, and the Mets tak a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth against the Phillies this weekend, dont be surprised with the first of many walk-off losses for the Mets the rest of the way.”
That would actually be a neat trick since the Mets are hosting this weekend. Besides, Rodriguez was mediocre this year anyway.