Comments on: Bobby Parnell: Should He Close Games For the Mets?

By: Connor

Connor — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:15:12 +0000

I could see Acosta, too. He’s solid, consistent, and he looks like the closer type if you ask me.

By: Connor

Connor — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:13:07 +0000

I see Beato closing next year, especially if the front office is on a tight budget. Beato is a cheap option that may never be a top closer, but the Mets will get an average to above average closer for the minimum salary. That’s a pretty good deal if you ask me.

By: theonlymaskman

theonlymaskman — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 14:15:29 +0000

I don’t propose the Parnell test continue in 2012. Either he makes it or he doesn’t by the end of this season. If he doesn’t then the search for a new closer resumes no later than ST. I just think it would be premature to abandon him just yet. It’s only been about a week that he has actually been in this role. Give him a couple more weeks to have a decent data base to form a decision. If he fails, then that’s it. However, if it shows he has the mettle, then we would have an economic closer for next season at a time when economics is primary over all other considerations.

By: rzanca

rzanca — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:54:41 +0000

If you want a Cubs, Marmol-type, Parnell’s the man.

By: tlagee

tlagee — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 04:54:32 +0000

By: JoeD 1966

JoeD 1966 — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 03:12:59 +0000

I think it’s fair to say that Parnell isn’t even a reliable setup man let alone closer so in my opinion should’ve been bypassed for that role in the first place.He was a mediocre pitcher in the minors,did anyone really expect him to take control of the closer role in the majors.Why experiment again in 2012? Look for the right guy now.We can’t keep auditioning for roles.We have to put the best guy out there.Acosta has a better shot at being an effective closer than Parnell.I would even give Stinson a look since he got better and better as the season went along after they turned him into a reliever.Parnell is not a good big league pitcher.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 21:19:26 +0000

Winners win because they have no fear. Parnell has the stuff no doubt but you have to seriously doubt his makeup. You cant be scared to fail and if you are you will. Like Pelfrey he appears to lack confidence. We’ll see!

By: 86mets

86mets — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 18:26:26 +0000

Why the venom for Parnell? He’s been closing for what, a week? Two? It’s not like Mariano Rivera never blew a game, right? Oh, wait, Game 7 2001 WS, bottom 9, who was that that gave up the winning run to the D’Backs? Yes, the great, well established Rivera. And why give the job to Pedro Beato? 3 out of the 5 complete months played he’s posted an ERA of 6 or worse. While over the same period Parnell has ONE month over 6 and one over 4. And young relievers struggling in closing situations is not an issue only common to the Mets. Out in LA the Angels have Jordan Walden closing and LEADS the Majors in blown saves with 9, yet they’re sticking with him on a CONTENDING team. Give Parnell a chance. Maybe he’s not cut out to close at this level, but maybe he is. Cutting him short after a couple of struggles is not how to run a team.

By: OmarFan

OmarFan — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 18:24:00 +0000

Parnell doesn’t know where his fastball is going at times. That makes for a shaky closer. Parnell has power. His fastball actually moves and isn’t straight. The problem is he doesn’t spot it often enough. His control is simply not good enough to dominate as a closer. There has to be something done in regard to his mechanics if he’s going to be an effective closer.

By: Lifelongmetsfan

Lifelongmetsfan — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 17:11:14 +0000

I think Parnell should start games and RA Dickey should be the closer. what differnce does it make?

By: Rickeybobby

Rickeybobby — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 16:19:36 +0000

Parnell obv still a work in progress, at this point remove him from closing so he doesnt lose total confidence..Beato also is a work in progrss but if you they want to give him a try for a game or 2 thats fine. Honestly , Acosta obv trowing more strikes getting ahead of hitters is a changed pictcher, he culd get a shot but he has crumpled under pressure in the past, Izzy is best bet prob as long as he’s not used back to back..commitee time – and SIGN or TRADE for a closer off-season

By: Donal

Donal — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 16:07:59 +0000

I think this is the worst possible time to make that decision. You need to take a look at the full body of work.

Also, you need to see what the majority of closers actually do. How does Parnell stack up with what most closers do?

And better yet, do we need to be married to the idea of one guy coming in for 3 innings a week?

By: Brandon Butler

Brandon Butler — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:54:54 +0000

I can definitely see that Connor. He has been a quality reliever. Manny Acosta would also be another guy to look at, considering his recent success against Nats/Marlins hitters.

By: Hawk

Hawk — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:53:18 +0000

No.

By: theonlymaskman

theonlymaskman — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:51:05 +0000

If this team is not going to be able to sign a real ML closer, then it will have to do as best as possible with what we already have. We have seen what Izzy can do. So you can flip the coin between Parnell and Beato for the next guy to evaluate. Since mgmt has already decided to give Parnell the next shot at it, you may as well continue with that experiment to see whether he can make a transition into the closer role. Why abandon the experiment now? The season is shot anyway and you may as well see if he can turn it around. If he can, then we might have a closer for next year. If he can not, then you move on to the next experiment, which might be Beato. One step at a time as we close out this broken season and get ready for 2012. I think you have started a test with Parnell and you you have to continue that until you get a definitive outcome.

By: Connor

Connor — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:48:41 +0000

Now pitching… Number 27… Pedro Beato.

By: NJ stuck in TX

NJ stuck in TX — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:41:15 +0000

No, he should not. I understand that this current BP has nothing, so one clown is as good as the next, but Beato has proven more to me than Parnell ever has. Or move Izzy back to the closers role. For a team that is looking for some sort of moral victory in getting back to .500 (which I could care less about. At this point, I’m hoping for a better and better draft position), running Parnell out there to blow yet another game is probably as deflating as the Hindenburg.

Either way, there is no one in this current BP that I want to see closing games next year for this team.