12
2012
MMO Roundtable: The Bobby Parnell Conundrum
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Bobby Parnell is an enigma… He’s got the one thing you crave in closer a rocket for an arm. Consistently checking in at 99 mph and frequently topping 100, you would think the Mets had themselves someone they could rely on to step into the eighth or ninth innings to finish off the opposition and secure a win for the Mets. But Parnell has been anything but a sure thing and the source for much angst and gnashing of the teeth.
Have you ever seen a lousier conversion rate than this before? That’s less than a 33% conversion rate for his career and he has yet to maintain any lead that Terry Collins has handed him so far this season, and yet the Mets manager keeps trotting him out there hoping that he’ll somehow get a different result. There’s some one-hundred year old quote about this kind of behavior by Collins – something to do with insanity or the like – I’m sure one of you knows what it is… <scratches head>
It’s obvious that Parnell doesn’t have the stomach for the setup or closer role, I’ve mentioned this so often before. When he started the season and was pitching solid coming in mostly in the sixth or seventh innings, what did I say once all the posts suggesting Bobby Parnell was fixed, became rampant? I said .”I hope this doesn’t re-ignite the notion that suddenly Parnell is looking like our new setup man”. I warned against changing his role for fear of the dreadful results that were certain to come and now here we are… Back at the point of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole… It’s becoming a recurring nightmare…
Maybe I’m just being too harsh or too impatient or even both… I threw this question to some of my colleagues – and mind all of you – that I posed this question to them BEFORE the Yankees series.
Will Bobby Parnell Ever Be An End-Game Reliever?
Petey – Going into this season I was all for unloading Parnell via trade at the earliest opportunity. Now I’m not so sure. Parnell has shown significant growth this season for the first time since he came to the majors. His off-speed pitch although still developing shows some genuine promise. He has remained cool and calm in adverse situations and has showed definite mental toughness, a requirement for any successful pitcher. With his natural ability and the fact that he’s still improving as a pitcher, I wouldn’t be so quick to give up on him at this point. I would still consider trading him in the right deal but I would extract top value for him and if I didn’t get it, I would hang onto him right now. You can always trade him in the off-season, but you see how long it can take to develop a good late-inning relief pitcher. It would be unwise to give up on this guy too soon.
Satish – If he is, it likely will not be in NY. If we traded him to, hypothetically, Oakland in a Balfour deal, he would probably rock. I still think he is a serviceable 7th inning reliever and you can never have too many guys that throw 95+.
Jim – Bobby Parnell can definitely be an end-game reliever. He’s had some bumps in the road, but as his confidence keeps building, he’s going to be a ninth inning man whether for the Mets or a different team. His stuff is great. Now he just has to hone his energy into become a consistent ninth inning force.
Dan V. – No I don’t not feel that Parnell will ever be able to cut it. I was hopeful just like everyone else, but it’s not a matter of stuff at this point. He has improved his secondary pitches but I just feel as though he pitches scared in clutch situations and you can’t have that in the pen.
Joe S. – Parnell reminds me of Kyle Farnsworth. Both can throw a ball trough a slab of iron but both have issues with overthrowing. Farnsworth actually has more experience as a closer where Parnell has an upside with potential. Either way, Parnell will be whatever he chooses to be. He has the tools to make it work the question is his mentality.
Jessep – I think he doesn’t have the stuff to be a closer. His role is as a 7th inning type reliever who maybe starts a new inning. I don’t trust him with runners on base.
Fonzie13 – I don’t think Bobby P has the mental toughness to ever be a closer. I’m skeptical he could ever be a reliable 8th inning guy. He’s just too inconsistent with his secondary pitches.
Gregg – I’m thinking it’s getting close to now or never time for Parnell. The Mets seem to be committed to Frank Fransisco and Jon Rauch as the late inning guys this season, but by year end Parnell needs to prove he can step into the 8th slot, or he’s doomed to be a middle innings guy.
XtreemIcon – No. He’s the guy who comes in right after the struggling starter to calm things down, provided it’s not the 7th inning or later. He never had the stuff to be a real competent reliever, just a hard, straight fastball. That doesn’t cut it. I’ve been on his case for over a year now about that.
Do you agree or disagree? Do you think you may have the solution to this Mets conundrum? If you do please don’t hesitate to enlighten the rest of us…
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
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Man I don’t even remember you posing that question but I’m glad I responded the way I did! (Too much beer?)
I think there is nothing wrong with being a quality reliever. He’s still a useful arm, he just needs to be put into situations where he can succeed.
He allows roughly 37% of inherited runners to score. He’s already allowed 6 to score this year.
2010 was the best use of Parnell because he was put in spots he was better suited for. In 2010, Parnell only inherited 10 runners on base in his 41 appearances.
To put that into perspective in 31 games this year he has inherited 16 runners.
He’s been put in every situation and the results have been the same.
Parnell doesn’t get enough movement on his pitches in my opinion. His fastball seems to go dead straight. You can throw it 115 mph but if the batter knows where it’s going he’ll tee it up and it will leave the park faster than it comes in.
sure he has a heater but pros CAN get that , i think the problem might be he has no good other pitch . he needs to mix it up, all i see from him are fastballs , A LOT fastballs
He stinks..End of discussion.Does not make him a bad person.Just a guy who does not have the stomach to pitch in pressure situations.
Bobby Parnell is the best reliever in the pen and needs to be used more. He’s got the mentality (if that’s actually worth anything, probably not) and the ability to pitch in high leverage spots, and should.
you must be a relative or I hope this was tongue in cheek, where does your confidence come from? because you’re a loyal fan? are you saying that all the times he has failed to produce consistently are just what, a fluke? this guy does not have any type of acuity to pitch well under pressure.
I believe it’s called “data”. sorry, is that a dirty word?
I guess you didn’t bother to check the stat sheet…What Ceetar has said is dead on correct!
I posted the stats here in case your just too lazy to go and look at them for yourself!
right and you’re too busy looking at the stats to even notice the game that’s being played right in front of you. Those “stats” seem ok but, if you’re pitching “well” after you’ve allowed the game to be tied or given up the go ahead run, in the eyes of many you’re not an effective pitcher it’s as simple as that. So go ahead and keep reading the stat sheet and allow real fans to watch the game.
No I didn’t notice the two Errors that cost him one blown save and you did?
I Didn’t see the game where on his third pitch after coming in the game he hung one ball that got crushed for a HR that cost him only because he inherited a runner as well?
No I HAVE seen the game and I pointed out the SITUATIONS you have ignored because all you know is he was there and if someone else was there the same thing happens because they all suck WORSE than Parnell!
Or is this blame for Parnell merely an attempt by you to create a diversion for all those slouches Sandy signed in the offseason who are FAR WORSE than Parnell as I have showed!
I dont know what you’re smoking, but give me some.
Sometimes in those situation after he has given up a crucial hit or allowed an inherited runner to score you see the “deer in the head lights” look in Parnell and wonder what is he thinking?
Good teams need solid 6th and 7th inning relievers too as bridge to the closer. In that regard I like Parnell, but please no more big spots in the 8th and 9th innings. .
You can say whatever you want about Parnell….
Whatever problem you might have he is not the worst pen arm we have…
Now that says more about the others than it does about Parnell but it’s still a fact and why he is getting into games…
Parnell 26.2 IP 32H 14 RA 11 ER 8 BB 27 K 3 HR 3.71 ERA
Ramirez 26.1 IP 29 H 15 RA 14 ER 11 BB 25 K 2 HR 4.78 ERA
Rauch 24.0 IP 27 H 14 RA 13 ER 4 BB 14 K 2 HR 4.88 ERA
Francisco 24.1 IP 28 H 16 RA 15 ER 10 BB 28 K 3 HR 5.55 ERA
The guy everyone thinks is the best Pitcher in the Pen is the guy who has pitched the least!
Byrdak 16.2 IP 8 H 7 R 7 ER 7 BB 21 K 1 HR 3.78 ERA
Pitch Byrdak as much as we have pitched Parnell and he is the goat as well!
Does he have what it takes to be a closer? NO! And it doesn’t look like anyone else here does either!
Does he have what it takes to be a good bullpen arm? Maybe not! But then again neither do the other guys listed above!
Has he cost us a few games recently Well he has 3 Blown Saves one of which was blown due to two errors by the SS in a game Francisco already got credited with blowing the save 3 innings earlier!
His last Blown save he gave up singles to Texiera and A-Rod…Not exactly hitting slouches…
And his first blown save came when he hung a pitch (curveball) to the first batter he faced with a runner on that allowed them to tie the game. Rauch then gave them the lead and Ramirez and Schwinden put us out of our misery by giving up 6 more runs. If Ramirez and Schwinden don’t do that we win that game 6-4!
I know many of you are a what have you done lately kind of critic.
And some of you don’t blame Parnell but Collins…
But as I have said before when your choices to relieve are
Crap
Day Old Crap
Two Day old Crap
Three Day old Crap
No matter what you decide your going to get CRAP!
the nats game was a perfect example of a guy doing his job and still the other team scored. Ditto with the yanks. If you come in and immediately get guys to hit routine GBs at the IF, and they make LL level errors, bad things will happen.
It is amazing how many “bad” pitchers suddenly become “good” when the defense behind them changes! I wonder how much of the St. Louis factor (attributed to their pitching coach) related to that?
And you know why people focus on the results not the events? Because it was an important game and all they really WANT to remember is we lost! Not the situation that got us there!
Although some (few) are also interested in deflecting blame from the Good Day boys as well and Parnell is just a diversionary tactic.
Parnell is going in there because they have failed. I can’t blame Terry for that and even still knowing that Parnell’s two costly games were due to hanging the third pitch he made in his very first AB (very understandable) and Two IF errors that cost us uneraned runs (Pitcher did his bit but no one else did), I find all this criticism of Parnell to be unfair and as I said in some cases diversionary to take our attention away from all those guys we bought at K-Mart in the offseason!
I have some hope Francisco will get better. I have some hope that if the defense doesn’t blow anymore games for him Parnell will too!
Where I am getting concerned is Byrdak being the only LH arm in the pen and getting overused and the fact that our best ERA in the pen is a guy over 40! (Bautista) and he is not available for the mere fact is he needs to stay rested to come in for Young who is on a strict 80-90 Pitch count and our 5th starter and as a spot starter should someone in our rotation get hurt or sick and need to skip a start.
What gives me hope is we do have Beato, Mejia and maybe even Familia as potential call ups after the ASG. Which makes all of the guys we have and can’t rely on now Trade fodder (Incl Parnell) for a quantity for quality trade for a possible closer or set up man.
The problem with evaluating relief pitchers in June is so much can change with just 1 outing.
Francisco can finish an ERA in the 3′s and somebody can come here and say he had a very good season. Would you believe it?
The problem with the bullpen is NOBODY is a stand out. There isn’t a single pitcher in the pen outside of MAYBE Byrdak v LH that you feel confident in every time he gets the ball.
Here are some facts:
Parnell is bad with runners on and runners in scoring position. .341 scoring position, .284 runners on.
Compare that to
Rauch: .231 scoring pos, .208 runners on
Francisco: .222 scoring pos, .235 runners on.
Parnell is better than Ramirez with runners in scoring position but not with runners on.
The problem with the Mets pen is inconsistency. Parnell is great if nobody is on base. He’s terrible when runners are on base.
Rauch and Francisco are great with runners on, and terrible with nobody on.
You can’t pound your fist and say he’s the best we have because it depends on the job. In the NL, your more likely to come out of the pen with runners on base unless you’re a 9th inning closer.
Maybe these #s are showing Parnell is best suited for the 9th with nobody on base and Francisco and Rauch are best suited in middle relief?
Or maybe the numbers just show that our entire pen sucks and needs to be scrapped entirely!
Maybe the THIRD TIME is the charm!
As I said this problem may just go away by the end of July!
And part of the reason they are not going to rush the Beato’s and Mejias is why risk cutting their value if they struggle after they come up?
Leave them where they can put up better numbers and be possible trade chips for anything Sandy determines he is ready to get as his BUY at the deadline.
Just try and get by the next two weeks without them until the potential available talent is starting to get leaked and shopped around.
Then we might find a closer to get, Then we might find a big bat to make it easier to stick with a starter past the 7th since he has more than a one run cushion to work with.
Maybe we even find a 5th starter who isn’t limited to a 80 something Pitch count that makes having a long reliever fresh not as important and can use Bautista for some of these moves.
I think we are a little too busy trying to find a goat when the truth is there is a HERD of them sitting in our bullpen and it wouldn’t matter who is marginally better than the other the results no matter who goes in has been the same!
We have the worst Bullpen in the MLB!
Will that change? Maybe but if it doesn’t change soon it will be too late to be of any help!
He has been hurting this team for years now, I think it’s time to trade him.
I hope I’m wrong about BP. For a while he was among my favorite Mets. Who doesn’t love a fireballer, especially one who always appears humble, never does any undo celebrating, etc. Seems like a great guy.
But it’s three years in the making, and I don’t see the improvements I expected. Last year, many of us spoke about the lack of movement on his blazers. In ST we were regaled with tales of his new curve, his ability to diversify his repertoire, and that this would make him formidable.
Mid-June now, and I think all of can admit that we have very little confidence when he comes into a close game. Honestly, it’s tiring to defend relievers when you end up saying, “He just needs to be put in the right conditions to succeed.” Yes, there’s situational and then there’s absolute madness, and we, as Mets fans, are beginning to veer into madness when we decide how each reliever can only have a certain highly defined set of conditions fulfilled before he can possibly succeed in a game! Enough.
I don’t see Parnell as a guy who can help get us to the Promised Land. Now way, no how. We saw this bad show before, and its name was Aaron Heilman.
truer words were never said.you don’t have to throw 100miles an hour to be a good pitcher.
Parnell, unlike a lot of Met’s players is healthy. My observations are even with little movement, his fastball should be good enough. However his command of his fastball is sub-par. His release is very inconsistent. He has a lot of potential (not the word we want to hear) if the Mets could find the right person to improve his mechanics, and subsequently his confidence.
What this team needs is a better Pitching coach…
I know everyone wanted to jump on the Warthen bandwagon after the performances of Santana and Dickey but the truth is neither of those guys NEEDS a pitching coach to tell them what to do they know that already and are as much thier own pitching coach as anything Warthen can be. Guys like Gee and Niese plus all the pen arms are the guys who need the help taking it to the next level but do not seem to be getting it!
It’s not a mental thing with Mr.Parnell.It’s his location.All major league hitters can hit a fastball and eventually catch up to it.If he can’t pitch the eight inning what makes you think he can close out a game? Trade him to the American league.How many times must starters cringe inside knowing that a well pitch game goes down the toilet so effortlessly?