Yes, I know it was only one game after so many bad ones, but it was encouraging to watch Mike Pelfrey last night against Houston. One run on three hits in 6.1 innings. I’ll take that every time.
PELFREY: Tired of seeing this perplexed look.
By his own admission, Pelfrey said this could be a make-or-break season for him. If he has another one like last year, he could see the Mets cutting ties with him. They’ve already bounced that around in passing this spring, but realistically had no other choice but to keep him.
He had a bum ankle earlier in camp, but his arm seems fine. He has experience. He’s been successful at times. He has a reasonable salary ($5.68 million). He’s young enough to turn it around. There have been a lot of late bloomers in the sport (Nolan Ryan and Sandy Koufax come to mind). While not saying he has the potential of either, two summers ago he had months of dominance worthy of the hope of seeing it again.
Because of his inconsistency, Pelfrey’s value to the Mets is greater with the hope of him turning it around. And, with pitching their biggest concern – and no guarantees with Johan Santana – if the Mets are to have any semblance of a competitive team they need Pelfrey to start cashing his potential chips.
A lot of things must happen for the Mets to avoid the season everyone is projecting for them, and it begins with Pelfrey to quit licking his fingers and start pitching to his expectations. Beginning now.
