Adam asks…
During the Mets broadcast on Wednesday night, Gary Cohen reported that Vic Black and Bobby Parnell started pitching in rehab games and are getting close to rejoining the Mets bullpen. Which two pitchers will need to go to make room for them? Keep up the great work!
Brian replies…
Erik Goeddel will probably be the first to get sent down when Black and Parnell return, but the Mets will be faced with a tough decision on the second reliever. It’s most likely going to come down to either Buddy Carlyle or Sean Gilmartin.
While both pitchers have their flaws, one could make the argument for either one to remain on the roster.
Carlyle posted an excellent 1.45 ERA and 0.93 WHIP during 31 innings in 2014. He’s continued to look strong this year with a solid spring and a nice start to the regular season.
In three appearances, Carlyle has yet to allow a run and has only given up one hit.
Gilmartin will have to be returned to the Twins if he is taken off of the Mets’ 25 man roster.
In 26 starts between Double-A and Triple-A last year, Gilmartin had a 9-7 record with a 3.71 ERA.
One of his strengths is his dominance against left handed batters. He held lefties to a .201 batting average in 2014, and a .219 average in 2013.
Ultimately, I think the Mets keep Carlyle and return Gilmartin to the Twins.
Even though Carlyle has been a journeyman for most of his career, it is going to be hard for the Mets to lose a pitcher who has been this effective. Carlyle has an out clause built into his contract.
Something has seemed to click for Carlyle ever since he’s joined the Mets organization. Even before being called up to New York last year, he was outstanding in the minors. His ERA was 2.17 despite pitching in the challenging conditions of Triple-A Las Vegas.
With the additions of Alex Torres and Jerry Blevins, the Mets no longer have a need for a lefty specialist like Gilmartin, and he probably didn’t help his case this week when he was brought in to face Chase Utley who then homered off him.
Despite Gilmartin’s pedigree as a first round pick, he’s not a significant loss. He has not produced impressive results during his professional career, which is why the Twins left him unprotected in the first place.
