Players get platooned or deployed based on their strengths and weaknesses. To be, based on their skill sets, properly used.
You know how it goes. This lefty hitter sits against lefties. This LOOGY pitches only to lefties. That sort of deployment stuff.
Edwin Diaz is a Saves Machine and a Strikeout Machine. Superlative.
But, it seems, in games where he comes in that aren't a save situation, Edwin is not superlative.
In fact, in his MLB career, he is 4-16. Yep, that is not a misprint.
He came in on Tuesday and Wednesday in tie games, got two outs both times and then allowed a go-ahead (and ultimately) game-losing home run.
In the minors, in rookie ball as a starter, he started his minors career 7-3.
After that, against higher competition, his minor league record was just 16-21.
Save situations are his superlative. Otherwise, not so good.
So what, for Edwin Diaz, is the proper, best, and highest use?
The Mets are now limiting Edwin to one inning.
May I at least suggest an alteration to that?
Given his bad career win-loss record, perhaps he should he be restricted to save situations and allowed to go up to 2 innings occasionally in those situations. Also, perhaps he should not be so enamored with strikeouts that he tries to overpower everyone. Hard to allow homers if you get ahead in a count and try to get guys to fish for pitches dropping out of the strike zone.
What do you think, friends?
P.S. It sure was nice to see Thor go "complete game shutout" and give the pen a day off. Hopefully, Noah is ready for big time payback, starting, this past Thursday.
I think, in the case of Diaz, that you stay the course.
ReplyDeletePitch him in every save and tie situation in the 9th inning.
Let him know that the job is his.
He will be fine.
If so, keep a real close on him. Love Edwin, but...He needs to save his own tie games, too, not just everyone else's leads.
DeleteConsidering Rosario's defensive performance, both this year and last year, why is he not receiving just as much (if not more) criticism as Flores received for being a terrible defender?
ReplyDeleteRosario's major league shortstop defensive statistics are just as bad, if not worse than Flores earned at the position.
Good question Greg.
ReplyDeleteI expect everything to change for Rosario when Lowrie returns.
Lowrie will probably play more 3B and 2B, but their will be plenty of people around to put pressure on him to excel.
As for the future, I know that the Mets have Gimenez penciled in here next season, though his return this year has been below what their expectations were for him this season.
Greg, Rosario has played 650 games at SS in his career, not to mention spring training. If he can't be good defensively now, he needs another position - easier said than done. Hurry back, Jed. Hurry up, Andres.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Flores should have been allowed to play shortstop with the same immunity to defensive criticism?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure his stock would have been worth much more in trade value.
Bob, I 100% agree.
ReplyDeleteAnd Wilmer is 9 for his last 20 - a superior bat to Two Hundred Todd.