For the same reasons I pointed out a couple of days ago below, general manager Sandy Alderson told Mike Puma of the New York Post the Mets would be reluctant to trade a reliever this offseason.
“The bullpen hasn’t been a strength over the last three or four years until last season and even last year not for a full season, so we would be reluctant to trade the power arms,” Alderson said.
“I like what we have coming in the system to augment the bullpen. Going into next season, we talked about the eight or nine we have for depth in the rotation, and it’s conceivable that somebody in the 6, 7, 8, 9 spot could end up in the bullpen for awhile.”
Thank you, Sandy. That’s one of the smartest things you’ve said all week.
Incidentally, nothing surprising, but Rafael Montero and Steven Matz are among the names the Mets could consider for one of those bullpen roles. That’s a good idea too.
November 12
Joe Sheehan raised the possibility of the Mets signing former Yankees closer David Robertson on Monday. That would then open the door for the Mets to move Jenrry Mejia in a deal for a shortstop or some other need.
Trading Jenrry Mejia?
Recently there’s been a lot of chatter about trading Mejia who was only second in the NL in saves during the second half with 18, just one behind the Marlins’ Steve Cishek.
Kristie Ackert of the Daily News also suggested trading Mejia last month, contending that he’s injury prone and Mets should sell while his value is as high as it will ever be.
Look I get all the concerns and what have you with Mejia, but I find it shocking that after almost five seasons of suffering with the worst bullpen in the majors, all of a sudden some are ready to pick it apart after just three months of incredible effectiveness and production. Production, mind you, that all began the day that Mejia took over as closer.
After being bounced around between the bullpen and the rotation for several years, Mejia finally settled in as the teams closer, and already there’s calls to move him out of the role and even out of Flushing altogether. I just don’t get it.
Who knows if Familia would be just as effective closing games as he was as a setup man? There’s an incredible amount of pressure pitching with the game on the line and securing those final three outs. It takes a special swagger. You not only need the stuff you need the mindset. You either have it or you don’t. Mejia has it.
While not perfect, and let’s face it who is, Mejia quickly took to his new role as closer and ran with it. As a reliever, he posted a 2.72 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 56.1 innings and he saved 28 games. Don’t we have enough issues on this team without having to manufacture a new one?
As for signing Robertson, it’s a ridiculous notion. He is looking for a deal that could pay him up to $40 million for four years, and last I checked the Wilpons haven’t won the Mega Millions Jackpot.
And finally, if you’re so concerned about Mejia getting hurt, don’t you think other teams will have those same concerns and only look to acquire him for fifty cents on the dollar? Sorry, I’m not willing to sell Mejia on the cheap.
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