We all know that the Mets have a wealth of starting pitching. But what few people are talking about is the wealth of relief pitching. It’s looking like a new Generation K for our relievers.
The bullpen is pretty well stacked. Familia, Mejia, Edgin, Parnell, Black, Torres. The bullpen is going to be one big strengths this season. And that feels pretty good.
If the 2014 Kansas City Royals’ run is any indication, having a shut down bullpen really help a light hitting team. Davis, Herrara and Holland were the three headed monster. They effectively shortened the games for their starters. With Harvey bouncing back from Tommy John surgery and Wheeler not known for going long into games I thnk the Mets should be taking a page out of the Royals playbook.
If all goes as it should, the starter would just need to finish the sixth. If he can’t then Terry has a few weopens to choose from. Edgin for lefties, Black for righties. But after the sixth that’s when thGeneration K of Relievers take over.
The seventh should be the domain of Familia. He showed that he was an excellent set up man last year. In 76 games he posted a 2.21 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 5 saves. I’m sure I could go deeper with SABRmetrics but if i look at numbers too long my brain overloads and then i gotta reboot and it’s a whole big to-do. But based on those numbers and what I saw last year I don’t see why he can’t continue his dominance. And it would just be an inning earlier.
Now the question becomes who will be the closer. The incumbent is Jenrry Mejia. He started the season as a starter but after injuries and Kyle Farnsworth and Jose Valverde, he had the closer role thrust on him. He had a 3.65 ERA, 28 saves and a 1.48 WHIP. Not too shabby for a converted starter. And he added some much needed swagger with the stomp. I loved that stomp.
Usually there wouldn’t be a question as to who the closer would be. But hold your horses, the man whose job Mejia took over is returning. Yeah remember the other Met making his return from Tommy John surgery. Bobby Parnell and his luxurious beard made one appearance last year for one inning. He had a 9.00ERA for that one inning of work. Then it came out that he needed to get Tommy John. So he can be excused for not being dominant.
But in 2013 he was the closer for the team. He had 2.26 ERA and 22 Saves in 50 innings pitched.
I believe he should be the closer to start the season. Mejia should start the season as the set up man. If things are shaky with Parnell. If his arm isnt as strong or reliable as it should be then everyone moves up an inning.
It’s nice not having the bullpen to worry about. Though pitching was never a concern for this season. Most people don’t talk about the bullpen when they talk about the Mets strengths.
