18
2011
Looking Toward 2012: Parnell Or Beato For Closer?
An article by 
Now that Jason Isringhausen has recorded his 300th save, Terry Collins told reporters that he would start weaning one of his younger relief pitchers—Bobby Parnell or Pedro Beato—to become the team’s pitchers.
Izzy was just what this team needed this year, whether it was his ability to get clutch outs in big spots or the leadership he provided to the younger players.
However, the likelihood that he returns next year is minimal to say the least. So that leaves Parnell or Beato as the only in-house options to take over in the ninth inning.
Last season, when K-Rod hurt himself punching his girlfriend’s father, Parnell seemed like the logical choice to fill in. Instead, Jerry Manuel anointed Hisanori Takahashi as the team’s closer, and he did quite well.
But this year when K-Rod was traded, the Mets had the insurance plan of Izzy, once again keeping Parnell from the ninth inning role.
Heading into next season, the Mets will have some pressing needs, including trying to re-sign Jose Reyes and fill in some offensive holes—all with a limited payroll.
That’s why if the team can feel confident with either Parnell or Beato as the closer, it’s one less thing the Mets need to worry about.
Both players have had patches or brilliance this season, but they have also gone through stretches of being ineffective, mostly dealing with walks.
As a closer, walks are absolutely deadly, especially when they lead off an inning. For a team that notoriously doesn’t score many runs, having a guy come in and shut the door in the ninth inning is imperative.
While Beato has shown he has good stuff, Parnell is the one who possesses the 100 mph fastball. The problem is that Major League hitters have the ability to hit the fastest pitches if they are straight.
Now that it’s looking like the Mets won’t be competing in September, hopefully we can see an open competition for the closer’s role. Collins may be more inclined to give Parnell the bulk of the opportunities, since Parnell at least has some experience closing games.
Even so, giving Beato a chance here and there would be great for his confidence. If Parnell becomes the closer next season, Beato should at least be granted the role of setup man, barring any trades or free agent signings.
So bring on Parnell for the ninth inning, but let’s not forget about Beato.
About the Author: Jim Mancari
Jim Mancari hails from Massapequa, N.Y. He recently earned a Master's degree in Journalism at Hofstra University. He is a devout Mets fan and takes pride in his team, despite their lack of success over the last few years. Like all Mets fans, Jim has plenty of hope. He also writes as the sports reporter for the Brooklyn Tablet newspaper and the senior editor of metroBASEBALL Magazine. Click my name to view my personal website.
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Wasn’t there talk of stretching out Beato during the winter to see how he’d do as a SP? Which if that is the case, it’s really Parnell or bust at this point.
I still get the impression that Alderson will go after Nathan or someone similar to be the closer for 2012. In all likelihood, Nathan will be offered Arb, so no worries on losing draft picks and an incentive laden deal would be right up his alley.
My guess is that neither guy is closing next year. Could be a vet (nathan) type ,or someone totally unexpected.
is like asking yourself from which trash can i like my food, from the one on the left or the right?? ugh…
yeah man, I don’t want either one of those guys for my closer next year, I don’t trust either one, I hope SA can find someone worthwhile to bring in.
for next debate of the article made up by mr north jersey and written by someone else, i propose Metsie Vs donal… i mean, talk about debating!! that is a debate i will be looking forward to see in the idea article made by MR NORTH JERSEY!!!
you’re so ridiculous sometimes.
neither, they both suck.
lmao!!!!! metsaddict, you want ppl who hate each other.. well, i guess then that’ll be everyone against donal or jesseP!!!
i wish you would’ve come to the game with me, so you could tell me stuff like that to my face you know, kinda let loose all the insults at once in my face.. that’ll be the right thing to do, but since you chose not to come, i will always see you as what you truly are.. i won’t say the words because i will get banned, but let’s just say it rhymes with spare middle chair..
“but since you chose not to come, i will always see you as what you truly are”
As somebody with better things to do than to go to a Mets game with a total stranger who instigates flame wars with me on a daily basis?
I don’t think you would have gotten banned for saying that.
again, i will prob go to citi field again this year, i will let you know the date, if i do, i will invite you as i did last time, that way you can come watc h the game with me, i’ll promise to pay anything you want (beer or food of course) while we watch david allen wright at 3B
Why be married to one or the other? Why do we absolutely have to say “this guy only pitches this inning”? Why save the guy who is supposedly the best pitcher in the pen for the 9th inning, when he is more often than not inconsequential?
I don’t like either as the long term solution. Parnell is still pretty raw in my view and Beato seems better suited for middle relief. I know they mentioned maybe pushing him to be a starter but who knows
I still contend that Mejia’s role should be as the Closer for the Future of this franchise.
If it HAS to be one or the other, I’ll go with Beato. His strand rate is terrible. He needs to start fresh innings. Also, he has a second pitch.
it’s like choosing a pacer or a gremlin, ewww.
NEITHER if you ask me…
I like the idea of stretching Beato out and turning him into a potential starter.
His main problem out of the pen seems to be some days he seems to be warmed up and pitches well and the next he has to find himself first (hopefully before he blew the lead) in order to be effective.
I think making him a starter is the first best destiny for him, he has the stuff, maybe not the makeup or quick readiness needed for the Pen.
And Idea I have floated recently is to make Santana the closer until he has shown he will stay healthy. It may seem like cottling but he has the makeup to be a closer and maybe not the durability to be a starter any longer.
It would help get SOME value for the money he is getting and his presence in the Pen could only be a plus!
The question is would he accept such a proposition which I have to say I don’t know and doubt it.
But I still think it might be the smart play for the team.
The santana idea, that is a new one. But, I guess Smoltz did set a precedant for that! Not going to happen though would be my guess. While durability is an issue, quite likely having to get ready quick and rebound to pitch consecutive days will be just as big of one.
Beato was a SP through 2009 I believe, and never really clicked. His MiL “breakout” last year was as a short revliever. They could decide to put him in the minors next year to stretch back out, but I think it is a better bet that he settles in to a pen role for the future. maybe not closer, but he does have a live arm.
I wasn’t thinking Smoltz but he is a good example as well…
I was looking no further than our own jason Isringhausen who also has had more operations than the Milton Bradley toy and manage to put together quite a career once he went from starting to closing.
Santana has the MAKEUP to be a closer…Neither of the potential candidates we are talking about do.
And even if it’s just a year until Santana builds up arm strength and does what he can to get back to velocity, It’s still a very good use of his time and value for his salary and we can always make him a starter again after that!
I do agree that pitching as often as a reliever does could be considered more of a workout than starting every 5th day. But I’m looking at it that if he can’t do that with only sporadic days of needing to sit out then no way he was going to last 200 Innings either.
The question would be will he overthrow in save situations more than he would as a starter and that I can not say with any certainty!