Sep
11
2011

Could We Be Seeing Mike Pelfrey’s Last Starts In A Mets Uniform?

An article by Dan Valis

For the past few seasons it was believed that Mets starter Mike Pelfrey had the goods to be a top of the rotation type starter. Last season he had his best season as a pro as he won 15 games against just 9 losses. His career low 3.66 ERA and dominance for most of the season warranted thoughts that he had finally put it together. Mets fans had dreams of slotting him behind Santana as the number 2 starter. Sadly that was not to be.

The man people call “Big Pelf” was tabbed the opening day as soon as Terry Collins was named the new skipper. He was really the choice by default because other than Dickey coming off his first good season and Niese improving there was nobody else who could don the opening day starters cap. What we got instead of an “ace” was a disaster, and not a man named “Big pelf”, but a man named “small pelf”.

Pelfrey is in the midst of his worst season as a pro to date. He has entered his prime at age 27, and the big righty seems to be going backwards. Despite all the hype and all the hope and projections, his career numbers prove he is a .500 pitcher. This season he has been just way to inconsistent.

He has always be a hittable pitcher with a career batting average against of .282. However this season he is not only getting hit, but he is getting hit hard with regularity. His season WHIP of 1.45 is just pathetic and he has already given up a career high in home runs with 19. He is 50-52 in 142 games started for the Mets and has a career ERA of 4.38, not quite top of the rotation numbers.

Pelfrey made almost $4 million this season and is up for arbitration again this winter, you have to start the ask the question of whether he will be here next season? Not to mention the fact that his agent is Scott Boras and Pelfrey will be a free agent after the 2013 season. There is no doubt Boras will command big money for his client and will pump out numbers that project him to be better than he will ultimately be. We as Mets fans know that Mike Pelfrey is not worth $10-15 million a year which is what Boras will most likely get for him on the open market.

With so many young pitchers such as Matt Harvey, Jeurys Familia and Zack Wheeler on the horizon, there is no room for Pelfrey going forward if he is going to pitch like this. I think it’s time to cut the cord. Sandy Alderson has not ties to him as he was drafted by Minaya’s regime.

Sandy has his own plan and I have to imagine it does not include a sinker ball pitcher who doesn’t throw a sinker ball. I am also sure it does not include a pitcher who licks his hands more than he gets outs. The writing is on the wall as Alderson begins to make this team his own, and with the way Pelfrey is struggling he may be one of the first pitch himself out of town.

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.

17 Comments + Add Comment

jerseymet September 9, 2011 at 1:46 pm

Hard to see Pelf getting 10 to 15 million. A couple of years ago Kevin Berkhart interviewed Pelf’s college coach. The Man was not pleased! He said that he was dissapointed in Pelf. Mike’s time in New York is over. I hope he returns to Mid-America and finds some success.
alex68 September 9, 2011 at 1:58 pm

The writing is on the wall as Alderson begins to make this team his own, and with the way Pelfrey is struggling he may be one of the first pitch himself out of town”

umm, beltran and krod were the first one out of town, and you are right, sandy is making this team his own..
- Dan Valis September 9, 2011 at 2:48 pm
  
  yes they were Alex, but their departure had to do with financial flexibility with Krod and Beltran’s impending free agency. Pelf wouldn’t be going anywhere if he had pitched this year like he did last year…hence the fact that his poor play will cause him to pitch himself out of town.
  - Donal September 9, 2011 at 3:03 pm
    
    He’s always been peaks and valleys. Good in 2008, not so good in 2009. Good in 2010, not so good this year. Even in year, he’ll put together a couple good games then go cold for a few games. Its just that in his good years, the peaks are a little higher and in the bad year, the valleys are a lot lower.
    
    that said, I don’t think Alderson will chance arbitration with Pelf. I certainly doubt Pelf will decline it.
    - Denver Mets Fan September 9, 2011 at 11:04 pm
      
      Too be fair he had a good first half last year, the second half was hit or miss
  - alex68 September 9, 2011 at 3:13 pm
    
    dan,
    fair enough.. i guess we’ll wait and see what alderson does right? imo, whether he stays or go i would feel neutral either way.. if his departure means more money to sign reyes, then good bye pelfrey.. if it means making the team better, bye bye..
Petey Pete September 9, 2011 at 1:58 pm

Let him go lick his hands somewhere else.
- Brandon Butler September 9, 2011 at 2:36 pm
  
  LOL Pete.
  
  Dan, you and I think alike my man. I think it’s time for him to move on….
alex68 September 9, 2011 at 3:09 pm

the thing is, as bad as he is, who do we replace him with?? i guess the answer would be a cheaper version of him right??
- Metstheory22 September 9, 2011 at 3:55 pm
  
  Hopefully they can bring in someone for the first couple of months until we bring someone up from minors.
  Schwinden, Harvey or Wheeler might be ready?
  - Dan Valis September 9, 2011 at 4:23 pm
    
    The one positive with Pelf is his durability. It’s hard to find guys who never get hurt and pitch 200 innings a year. That could be a factor in him staying, but he also needs to pitcher better. I mean, Al Dukes Boomer and Carton stopped doing pelf songs cause he has been so bad!
  - Donal September 9, 2011 at 4:43 pm
    
    More likely Schwinden Familia or Mchugh
rzanca September 9, 2011 at 3:56 pm

Big Pelf All By Himself
Cannot pitch a lick
Despite his lickings
Just gets too many A$$ Kickings.
KC place he lights be
We’ve got enough useless NYers who talk to themselves.
MetFan Lou September 9, 2011 at 6:33 pm

Sounds like the same old story for the Mets. What else is new?
theonlymaskman September 10, 2011 at 9:49 am

The Mets need to start moving away from mediocrity and one place to start is with Pelfrey. He is simply unable to pitch with any effectiveness with runners on base. He labors badly whenever there is a runner on 1B. HE is so slow delivering the ball that anyone can steal on him. Time to say goodbye and give a youngster a chance.
eraff September 10, 2011 at 11:10 am

He’s a 200 inning clunker….. he’ll probably get 6-8 million in arbitration.

They may hold their nose and re-up him……the benefit being that their is not a high or long dollar commitment. If he pitches well they will commit to him or trade him at the deadline.

My prediction is that he’s back.
Mary September 10, 2011 at 9:49 pm

I really hope he’s traded to a team where he’s appreciated, has run support and people aren’t bothered by the fact he licks his hands once in a while. He is certainly not the only pitcher to ever do that I like Pelfrey and for that reason I want him to go to a team like Arizona where he would thrive

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