Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, reports that the Dodgers are looking for relief pitchers and are interested in the Mets’ Bobby Parnell.
Sources suggest the Dodgers are considering a variety of relievers, and could also make a play for either Indians closer Chris Perez or Mets reliever Bobby Parnell instead. The Dodgers would prefer a left-hander, but many of their best choices appear to be right-handers — including Hanrahan, Perez and Parnell.With the addition of Zack Greinke last week, Heyman says the Dodgers have made both Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang available via trade.
Parnell struggled early as five of eight inherited runners scored against him in April. However, the young reliever righted himself and only four more out of 20 scored the rest of the season. When Rauch hit the skids and Francisco was injured and erratic, Parnell inherited their roles and was exceptional. Parnell was 1-1 with two holds and three saves (no blown saves) in September, and went 2-1 with a save in August. Parnell still had his fastball, but his sinker and command was much better as the season progressed. Parnell finished at 5-4 with a 2.49 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. Parnell had streaks of wildness in the past, but last season walked only 20 in 68.2 innings pitched. He also struck out 61 and batters hit .249 off him with a .303 on-base percentage. The opposing batting and on-base averages were career bests.
LOOKING AT 2013:
Parnell made $504,000 last season, and will be offered arbitration for 2013. With Rauch not expected back and Francisco having another year remaining on his contract to close, expect Parnell to be slotted into the eighth-inning set-up role, or close if Francisco isn’t physically able. The Mets still view him as their closer-of-the-future.
Sometimes, it takes some pitchers longer than others to reach their potential and Parnell had been erratic since 2008 through the end of last season. I don’t know if Parnell will ever fulfill his long-range expectations, but for the first time in several years the Mets aren’t pulling their hair out over him. That has to be a plus, right?
