We learned earlier today that Josh Edgin‘s injury is pretty serious. As Edgin decides whether he will undergo season-ending surgery, Mets fans are left wondering why the front office failed to add a left-handed arm to the bullpen to complement, and now, insure, the lead southpaw, Edgin.
What the Mets lose in Edgin is more than his composite 27 innings of relief that he provided last season. Many of those innings can be filled by the likes of Sean Gilmartin or Dario Alvarez. In fact, nearly half (42%) of Edgin’s appearances last year came in low leverage situations, when the score was out of hand, either with a Mets lead or deficit.
Where Edgin will be missed is his specialist role. Who is going to face Ryan Howard or Chase Utley late in the game? How about Freddie Freeman? When Terry Collins looks to his relief corps for a key out against a left-handed hitter, in the 7th or 8th inning, who will he have faith in now that Edgin is injured?
As a lefty specialist, getting tough outs late in games, Edgin strived last season. Facing 27 left-handed hitters in high leverage situations, he allowed only four hits (two were home runs). He struck out eleven batters, swinging.
When Terry Collins needed to get a lefty out in a key spot last year, he could count on Edgin.
As Sandy Alderson tries to figure out who will replace Edgin’s role on the Mets’ roster, it is these 27 plate appearances that he needs to worry about the most. That is where a team who needs a lot of things to go right to make the playoffs is hurt most with the injury to Edgin.
Statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.
Another original article from Metsmerized Online!
