Reese Kaplan - The Fat Lady Hasn't Sung (Yet)

After just a single game the Mets are in full panic mode given the state of their bullpen which was dealt a crippling blow Tuesday when the club announced Bobby Parnell is out indefinitely with elbow woes.  The lone shining star from Opening Day’s bullpen debacle was former closer Jose Valverde who will likely be fulfilling the late season LaTroy Hawkins role – closer in place of the injured Parnell.

The highlights of the game for the Mets included nice performances by Captain David Wright, spot starters Juan Lagares and Andrew Brown, and despite giving up 4 earned runs, Dillon Gee allowed just 6 baserunners in his 6+ IP while striking out 5. 

On the flip side, there was the 0-5 debut of Curtis Granderson with 3 Ks, the 0-4 with 4 Ks by Terry Collins’ designated guy for getting on base as the leadoff hitter, Eric Young Jr., the three first basemen going zero for the day combined and the myriad of bullpen failures by John Lannan, Bobby Parnell, Jeurys Familia, Carlos Torres and Scott Rice.  Between the birth of Daniel Murphy’s child and the flu bug hitting the clubhouse, it left Collins somewhat strapped for players yet he still managed to burn through seven pitchers in ten innings, including one inexplicable stint with four consecutive batters each facing a different pitcher. 

There’s not much more to be said about the front office’s failure to address the needs at 1^st base or shortstop.  After one bad game you can’t say the bullpen is a disaster, but you hope that the long term loss of Bobby Parnell finally motivates Sandy Alderson to explore the trade route to improve the club (such as a first baseman for a relief pitcher).

In the interim, the Mets continue the youth and conditioning movement that resulted in the Bartolo Colon signing by also inking 40 year old Bobby Abreu whose best days are far behind him.  10 years ago he was a Duda-like outfielder.  Yes, he can get on base via the walk and shows some occasional power but you’d have to pinch run for him and use someone else to play the field, so I can’t really see where he has any place on the big club.  Furthermore, out in Las Vegas doesn’t it make more sense to give at-bats to the likes of Eric Campbell, Cesar Puello, Matt den Dekker and even Kirk Nieuwenhuis, some of whom might have big league careers (though likely not with the Mets).  I have to think the only way any of them get to see the big leagues at CitiField is to buy a ticket. 

While the club has made no announcement of their plans to replace Parnell’s spot on the roster, past history suggests it will be Kyle Farnsworth who has enough gray hair to make him a preferred option for Terry Collins.  Nevermind that he pitched to a 5.00+ ERA in the spring and lost more than 10 mph off his fastball.  I could see Edgin getting consideration as he is on the 40-man roster, but if they do go down the add-someone-to-the-roster route for Farnsworth then you’d like to think Socolovich with his perfect 0.00 spring should at least be a consideration.  Of course, they could also push Jenrry Mejia into the pen after he won the 5^th starter’s slot and promote Daisuke Matsuzaka, but that move would be pending Jon Niese’s ability to pitch. 

About the only thing I can say thus far is that it’s déjà vu reminiscent of the entire tedious Aldersins (hat tip to Herb G for his name for the GM/Field Manager) era.  Other clubs see problems and address them.  Why can’t the Mets?