A Sound Investment

It is three games into the 2012 season and surprisingly the Mets are undefeated and better yet just got finished sweeping one of their rivals and divisional competition, the Atlanta Braves. It included the season opening return of Johan Santana and the debut of an improved bullpen. The first I'll discuss in a later post, for now I will focus on the bullpen and more specifically one member of that bullpen, Bobby Parnell. Here's a young pitcher who for the past three years has been billed as the future closer of the team, someone who had electric stuff just without the polish to harness it. Fast forward four years after his debut season and glimpse the difference in his approach and you'll see a Jekyll and Hyde tale. Hopefully gone are the days where Bobby would rear back and heave 98+ MPH fastball toward home plate like an unrestrained animal leaping one bound too soon after prey that was acting coy but really gearing up to overcome. So far in his 1 inning of work he showed me what was missing for the previous four years, a solid breaking pitch and the recognition that speed is less effective than location. So what finally clicked with him? Was it the maturity of multiple MLB seasons under his belt? Maybe a bit, I think more of it has to do with the influence of Jason Isringhausen. Last year Sandy Alderson took a gamble and inked an organization friendly one year contract to bring back one of the members of Generation K. Well, looking upon the investment now seems to indicate that it held a golden egg hidden and only know showing itself. Parnell and his new approach is thanks in large part to Izzy's tutelage in showing Bobby how to pitch but also how to throw. No not the heat. The bender. Looking at his appearance against the Braves and I couldn't believe my eyes. It was as though I was looking at a pitcher who knew what he wanted to do and how to do it. Things I refrained from saying when speaking about Parnell in the past.  

Head of Surgery and Psychiatry: Sandy Alderson

By - Jarod Alley               

In a perfect world the New York Mets would be annual competitors in the playoff picture, harvesting young talent and spending their free agent dollars on the most premier talent. Reality though has held a different fate for our lovable losers. We’ve been through multiple questionable trades, reckless free agent spending, a sapped farm system, over exaggerated major league rosters, seasons filled with injuries, an ongoing financial dispute and three different coaches. All of this happened within the last 10 years.

                Yeah, it is tough being a Met fan sometimes, but it’s also tough not to like the Wilpons decision in hiring Sandy Alderson to reign in a team that was looking like it was going to take a very long downward spiral. Even if he were forced upon Fred and Jeff by Bud Selig and Major League Baseball, Sandy has been very efficient in re-structuring the seemingly fractured parts and pieces of this team. True, he did let Jose Reyes walk almost without much dialogue but how many of you would have guaranteed Jose…Jose, Jose, Jose  that kind of contract? I know I wouldn’t. Without a solid pitching staff the retention of Reyes combined with Wright, Davis, Murphy and question marks at other positions would seem like a major gamble to put together a World Series caliber team.

           

     One can hardly argue with some of the other decisions he has made too. He’s been signing guys that are very much low risk high reward guys to stitch up vacancies on the team. Last year we saw the resurgent Isringhausen and durable Capuano perform above and beyond expectations both on salaries that amounted to roughly 2.5 million, combined. Also, for the first time in as long as I can remember our Rule 5 draft pick ended up being a very serviceable arm in our bullpen. While Pedro Beato wasn’t a complete success he still proved to be a useful piece out of the bullpen and will be back with the organization since they were able to keep him on the roster all of last year.

                In regards to the minors he’s been active to shape it to his liking as well. Trading Carlos Beltran mid-year for a top pitching prospect in Zack Wheeler helped to gain favor with fans by adding a young phenom arm to go along with Matt Harvey.  In years past the Omar Minaya regime would have clung to their expiring contracts with little hope of making a push into the playoffs thus leaving the club without any return on investment. Instead last year Sandy let Reyes walk saving major cash and gaining an additional draft pick along with the midseason acquisition of Wheeler; two moves that should h elp strengthen a middling minor league system.

                While many of his decisions won’t be known to be truly successful until the next 5-10 years, he has created an environment where competence is not as easily questioned. I for one hope his disinfecting, stitching, splinting and overall medication proves to be the elixir the Mets have been looking for to make this team successful not just in the now but for the foreseeable future as well.

Mets: Nick Carr, Jon Niese, Zack Wheeler, Jason Isringhausen, Jeff Francis

1-23-12 - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/23/2693134/2012-amazin-avenue-top-50-mets-prospects  #44) RHP Nick Carr - Carr placed no. 41 on this list last season and around the end of April he looked like a lock to make a big move forward in 2012. Armed with the high-90's heat that has always made him dangerous, he finally looked to be turning the corner as his command was straightening out and he'd dominated the competition in the FSL. That's when the injury bug returned and curtailed his season. He continued to miss bats upon returning but his control reverted back to 4+ BB/9 levels and he now once again resembles quite a question mark moving forward. As always he has the stuff to move extremely fast -- I'm talking Citi Field by September fast -- but he's got to stay healthy and improve the command, despite a violent delivery which works against him on both fronts.

Jonathon Niese, Mets, ADP: 218.75 - For some, Niese's appearance in a piece like this will elicit sleeper-list fatigue, while others will see it as an opportunity. Indeed, Niese has been a preseason breakout candidate a couple years running now, and those who've invested (hopefully not too heavily) have yet to be rewarded. However, the lefty's 2011 peripherals suggest that this could finally be The Year. Last season, Niese flirted with periphs befitting a bona fide No. 3 fantasy starter: 7.89 K/9, 2.52 BB/9, 51.5% GB rate. Just for kicks, compare those to Ricky Romero's: 7.12 K/9, 3.20 BB/9, 54.7% GB rate. Niese bested Romero in two of those three categories, which, as Meatloaf tells us, ain't bad. http://www.rotoauthority.com/

1-26-12: - http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/index.jsp?partnerId=aw-6182194846943667814-996  - Scouting report: Zack Wheeler can run his heavy fastball into the mid-90s consistently. His main breaking ball is a curve that has improved to the point of being another potentially plus pitch. His changeup has continued to develop well and gives Wheeler another option. He’s struggled with command in the past, though his walk rate plummeted in the second half of last year, especially after the trade. A fingernail problem he had in 2010 seems to be a thing of the past.

It doesn’t appear there is going to be room in the Mets’ retooled bullpen for Jason Isringhausen. Isringhausen, 39, made an unexpected return to the majors — and his former team — a year ago when the right-hander showed up at spring training to get some work in to see if he could still pitch. The Mets’ new regime was impressed — and in dire need of help in the bullpen — and Isringhausen came at the bargain-basement price of $500,000. It was a salary he said he wouldn’t be willing to play for again.  http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/no_room_for_izzy_in_mets_bullpen_Y6Mdd0iJcVtkzPyhmIH9wJ#ixzz1kY8YZobn

You just can’t make this stuff up — yet another high-profile free-agent has refused to take the Mets’ money. The latest is former 17-game winner and 16-game loser Jeff Francis, who opted instead to accept an invitation to spring training and minor league dealoffered by the Cincinnati Reds. It was a wild, wheel-and-deal day for the Reds, who also picked up former Met Wilson Valdez in a trade with the Phillies. As reported in various outlets, the Mets had been keeping a close eye on Francis, perhaps fearing he might pickpocket an employee. In any case, I’m a little sad they weren’t able to bring him into the fold — anyone with the guts to wear a Vancouver Canucks hat around Denver has to have some moxie and would add interest to the team. http://www.metstoday.com/7398/11-12-offseason/jeff-francis-also-forsakes-flushing/

Brandon Nimmo, Chris Capuano, Gil Hodges, Jason Isringhausen, Zack Lutz

10-25-11: - http://www.minorleaguerundown.com/2011/10/25/2011-top-20-new-york-mets-prospects - 2011 Top 20 New York Mets Prospects -  4.Brandon Nimmo, CF (Rookie League): His overall offensive upside remains a bit murky (mainly in the power department), while the quality of his tools and swing are readily apparent. I still believe that he will become a fantastic prospect once he concentrates on baseball year round, an environment that the baseball-less Wyoming high school system did not provide. Nimmo’s left-handed swing is great for his age, and he’s got the athleticism/speed to play a quality center field. He should hit for quality average and above-average power as a center fielder, possibly like a less-speedy Christian Yelich in time.

Let me begin by saying that Chris Capuano delivered one the finest pitching performances of the 2011 season when he hurled a complete game shutout against the Atlanta Braves on August 26. His 13 strikeouts were a career high and he faced just one batter over the minimum. Remarkable. That said, as much as I loved that one phenomenal moment, I would have to say no way to re-signing Capuano. I base my opinion on two things. First, if his 1.35 WHIP and 4.55 weren’t reason enough to pass on Cappy, what about his road splits of a 5.42 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP? I mean come on, that’s absolutely brutal and how do you think that will translate in a smaller Citi Field which was just re-designed to specifically help right-handed hitters who teed off on Capuano to the tune of an .818 OPS last season? How you like me now? http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/11/2011-player-review-chris-capuano.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MetsMerizedOnline-GetMetsmerized-NewYorkMets+%28Mets+Merized+Online%29

11-11-11: - http://www.metstoday.com/7142/mets-minors/a-look-into-the-future-top-3b-prospects  - If the Mets were to part with Wright, Zach Lutz would be the first one to fill the hole because of his experience. The 25-year-old would have been in Queens sometime this year if he didn’t get hurt midway through the Triple-A Buffalo season. Prior to the injury, Lutz was tearing up International League pitching, batting .295 with 11 homeruns and 31 RBI. Those numbers look very good for an MLB-ready talent like Lutz, however he strikes out too much, conjuring thoughts of Casey McGehee or Mark Reynolds. In 220 at-bats, Lutz whiffed 70 times, while accumulating just 27 walks.  Surprisingly, Lutz hits for average, as he’s never hit below .275 in his 5 years in the minors. At worst, he becomes a Mike Hessman kind of player, minus the hype that Hessman had as a prospect. At best, he’s a serviceable third basemen. Because of his injury, he’ll likely start off in Buffalo again and will definitely get a taste sometime during the season.

 JOE’S TAKE: Call me sentimental, but if Jason Isringhausen is healthy and wants to forgo his retirement for another season, I would bring him back. It’s not like we can’t use the help or experience in the bullpen anyway. Izzy’s 1.28 WHIP was among the best in the Mets bullpen and even topped Parnell’s 1.47 WHIP by a considerable margin. He also didn’t implode whenever he emerged from those bullpen gates in the ninth inning like Parnell did – an important fact to consider. I see nothing wrong with giving him the same kind of deal he received last season. Remember, Sandy Alderson specifically said on more than one occasion that he didn’t trade Izzy, despite some offers for him, because he was a great influence on the younger relievers. So what’s changed? He could still assume that role and at the same time be one of the more effective relievers out of the Mets bullpen once again in 2012. Jason Isringhausen… You’re the next contestant on the Price is Right… Come on down… http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/11/2011-player-review-jason-isringhausen.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MetsMerizedOnline-GetMetsmerized-NewYorkMets+%28Mets+Merized+Online%29

Whether Gil Hodges should get into the Baseball Hall of Fame for his career as a Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman is endlessly debatable. While he was an upper-80s student, he was overshadowed by his high-achieving classmates Jackie, Duke, Roy and Pee Wee. Hodges nailed the extra credit, though, and that should put him across the voters’ threshold for excellence, finally earning him a plaque alongside his fellow boys of summer. http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/12/hodges-added-to-his-credentials-after-playing-days/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nyt%2Frss%2FSports+%28NYT+%3E+Sports%29&seid=auto&smid=tw-nytimessports

Cutnpaste: - Jason Isringhausen, Don Zimmer, Mets Attendance, Reese Havens, 1882 Mets

Jason Isringhausen — It was a rough season for Isringhausen, who had mixed results filling in as the team's closer in the second half. Once a bright prospect in the Mets organization, Izzy had his best years closing games for the Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals. But he returned to where it all started this summer and notched career save No. 300 in a Mets uniform. - http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ycn-9174449

Don Zimmer, Tampa Bay Rays -- Rays owner and longtime Mets fan Stuart Sternberg isn't cutting any checks to ex-Mets this postseason, but he is ponying up some dough to pay for the services of one on the bench. Zimmer's best days certainly happened elsewhere, from his playing days with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers as well as the Chicago Cubs to his managerial turns in Chicago, Boston, and elsewhere. Or maybe you just associate him as Joe Torre's old bench coach with the Yankees, the one who Pedro Martinez threw to the ground in self-defense from a charging bald bull. Zimmer's an original Met, though -- a dyed-in-the-wool 1962 vintage that played all of 14 games for the Amazin's that year before being dealt to the Cincinnati Reds in May. That should give him a pass in case Jonah Keri's The Extra 2% didn't woo you about the good things going down in Tampa these days. - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/9/30/2459916/a-mets-fans-guide-to-recognizing-your-saints-in-the-2011-mlb-playoffs

Mets attendance declined for a third straight season, with the team drawing a total announced crowd of 2,352,596 in 2011. That figure was the team's lowest in seven years, since Art Howe's final season as manager. The 8.1 percent decline this season comes on the heels of a 19.2 percent dropoff from the inaugural season at Citi Field to Year 2 in 2010. Attendance dropped 21.6 percent from 2008 at Shea Stadium to 2009 at smaller-capacity Citi Field. - http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/35658/mets-attendance-down-8-in-2011

9-22-11: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2011/09/22/2011-eastern-league-top-prospects - Reese Havens, 2B New York Mets - “He really stayed with his approach no matter how we pitched him. I had the opportunity from second base to see how he hit. He got in good counts. We started pitching him away more as the season went on and it’s like he changed his approach. He was fun to watch.” – Eastern League hitter

In the 1800s the game went huge, particularly in New York where journalists referred to it as the “national pastime”. Leagues were formed, stadiums were built, and players were paid to play the game. By the turn of the century baseball looked like the modern-day game, with owners, presidents, managers, and star players. Here are some photos of that era pulled from the Library of Congress Archives. - http://1x57.com/2011/10/02/historical-baseball-photos-1880-1915

Cutnpaste: Brad Holt, Chris Young, Tim Teufel, Harry Minor, Jason Isringhausen

9-17-11: - Brad Holt (Mets supplemental first-round pick in 2008): The right-hander from UNC-Wilmington rocketed through the minors for the first year of his pro career. But after reaching Binghamton in June 2009, his career has come to a dead stop. After back-to-back rough seasons in Double-A, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Mets take a chance and leave him unprotected. Read more: link  

Chris Young went to a little private college in New Jersey called Princeton. Maybe you’ve heard of it? He was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates (how unfortunate) in the 2000 amateur draft, but refused to sign his rookie contract until he got assurances from the club that he would be able to complete his studies. So he didn’t end up becoming a full-time pro ballplayers until after he graduated with a degree in politics in 2002. (They don’t call it “political science” at Princeton like they do everywhere else. They can get away with that because, well, they’re Princeton.) Today he’s a pretty respectable no. 4 or no. 5 starting pitcher. - http://www.totalprosports.com/2011/09/16/9-smartest-players-in-major-league-baseball

A Greenwich native, (Tim) Teufel spent four years working his way through the minor leagues in the early eighties and had so much fun he decided to do it all over again, this time as a manager. Teufel just completed his first year at the helm of the Buffalo Bisons, the Mets Triple-A affiliate after years working his way up the ranks, beginning in short-season A-ball with the Brooklyn Cyclones of the NY-Penn League with stops in St. Lucie, Savannah and in Double-A Binghamton for the 2010 season. Read more: http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Teufel-watches-his-players-move-up-to-majors-2175813.php#ixzz1YJOpPeJT 

It is all nearing an end for Harry Minor, a lifetime of baseball that began at Wilson High in the 1940s and coursed through a couple of decades in the minor leagues before a seamless odyssey with the New York Mets that has spanned almost a half century. He admits there is a sense of wistfulness hanging over him as the curtain is set to close on his ball diamond endeavors that have brought him near to so many storied figures of the game. "Yeah, it's almost over," he said, and there is a sadness in a voice that normally oozes with vibrancy. "What will I miss? Obviously, the ball games. I never get tired of watching baseball. - http://www.presstelegram.com/sports/ci_18921592  

Mets manager Terry Collins said Jason Isringhausen (back) could be ready to pitch by the end of this week. Izzy has a slipped disk in his back and experienced leg numbness after receiving an epidural last week to help the back issue. He's likely to be used in a setup role when he returns, with Bobby Parnell and Manny Acosta continuing to handle the ninth inning. - http://www.rotoworld.com/sports/mlb/baseball?r=1  

Cutnpaste: Chris Schwinden, Jason Isringhausen, CitiField Dimensions, Bradley Marquez, Jose Pagan

9-3-11: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/09/prospect-pulse-buffalo-2012-help-on-the-way.html  - SP4: Chris Schwinden - Schwinden has emerged as the “ace” of the Buffalo rotation this year, going 8-7 with a 3.95 ERA in 25 GS. He has put himself squarely on the “prospect map” as a RHP in the Dillon Gee mold. The chief difference between the two, is where Gee relies heavily on his change-up as an out-pitch, Schwinnie uses a hard-breaking curveball. He will be a super long-shot to make the Mets out of ST next year, and will probably be a “holdover” in the Herd’s rotation, but should definitely get his first big league opportunity at some point during the 2012 campaign, whether in the rotation or the bullpen is tough to say.

(Jason) Isringhausen is suffering from a herniated disk in his lower back. He last pitched on Sept. 6. With Isringhausen down, Collins has given a few more opportunities to bullpen options like Manny Acosta and Daniel Herrera. The manager is still trying to figure out his closer situation for the future. Isringhausen has said he would like to pitch in 2012. He has a 4.05 ERA in 46 2/3 innings this year. At 38, he has overcome a trio of Tommy John surgeries, a pair of hip surgeries and a laundry list of other ailments - http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2011/09/mets_notebook_reliever_jason_i.html  

Amid growing speculation that the Mets will shrink the daunting dimensions of Citi Field this off-season, the issue has become an open topic of discussion among players in the clubhouse. After a recent game, David Wright lamented that he had hit “800 feet worth of doubles” and added, perhaps only half-jokingly, that he hoped such an effort would yield a couple of home runs next season. Until now, hitters like Wright have been the ones asked about the size of the park, and fans and commentators have weighed in on the merits of altering a facility that is only three years old. - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/14/sports/baseball/the-pros-and-cons-of-altering-citi-field.html  

9-14-11: - http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/09/13/3365498/texas-techs-bradley-marquez-takes.html#ixzz1XvtSeqZK  - (Bradley) Marquez is playing football this fall with the Raiders and will go through spring football drills before reporting to the Mets' rookie league in Port Lucie, Fla., in May -- 48 hours after his school session at Tech concludes. "I'll start in rookie ball and hopefully progress throughout the summer and see where I end up at the end of the summer and then go start over again next year [with football]," Marquez said. "Everybody starts at the very bottom, and you basically determine how fast you move up." The Mets awarded Marquez a $325,000 signing bonus to be paid over the life of his three-year contract, and are paying for Marquez's education, which frees the Raiders to use that scholarship money on someone else.

(Angel) Pagan's is too often overlooked, with some people even suggesting the absurd idea that the Mets should not tender him a contract for 2012. Pagan is undoubtedly having a down year at the plate, but he's still far from a liability. Since he began playing a significant amount of time in 2009, Pagan ranks seventh among qualified center fielders in wRC+. It's a bit concerning that Pagan's defense in center field appears to have gone downhill. UZR/150 ranks him worst in baseball at -16.9, but DRS has him at a middle-of-the-pack zero. Poor scores in both metrics are out of line with Pagan's work in 2009-2010. It's possible that the metrics are just a bit weird with him in a small sample of data, or Pagan is just human and having a not-so-great year in the field. Either way, Pagan still looks like a major league center fielder who can be retained on the cheap for next season, and the Mets don't have any obvious choices to replace him in the minor leagues. Productive big league players under team control at a reasonable cost are hard to come by, and in that respect, Pagan definitely seems underappreciated. - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/9/14/2423158/the-moneyball-mets-underappreciated-players-on-the-2011-team  

Cutnpaste: Aderlin Rodriguez, Zach Lutz, Wayne Garrett, Jason Isringhausen, Chris Schwinden

9-3-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/833229-new-york-mets-ranking-their-current-best-prospect-at-every-position/page/7#/articles/833229-new-york-mets-ranking-their-current-best-prospect-at-every-position/page/2  - Aderlin Rodriguez, 19, shows a lot of promise at the plate. Rodriguez has cracked the Mets’ top 10 prospects lists for the Hardball Times, ESPN, MinorLeagueBaseball.com and BaseballAmerica. When he was 18 years old, he made his first real professional impact for his Kingsport team as he crushed 13 home runs and posted an impressive .240 ISO

9-3-11: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/09/prospect-pulse-buffalo-2012-help-on-the-way.html  - Zach Lutz - What do I want for xmas? I want Zach Lutz to play a full season with no injuries, just to see what kind of numbers he can put up. The guy absolutely rakes, but he has been snake-bit with injuries. He would have been perfect to call up once DWright went down, but Lutz was on the DL the same time Wright was. If he can stay on the field next season he is just a phone call away from Citi and could be called up anytime to play 1B, 3B, or righty PH duties.

Wayne Garrett was someone who could have been a competent starter but the Mets spent considerable time and resources trying to upgrade the position and the results were disastrous. They gave up Amos Otis to get Joe Foy. That didn’t work out so they gave up Ron Herbel to get Bob Aspromonte. That didn’t work out so they gave up Nolan Ryan to get Jim Fregosi. If only they would have been content to get essentially league average production from their trouble spot of third base, they could have kept a Hall of Famer and a five-time All-Star who amassed 2,020 hits in the majors. - http://mets360.com/?p=7889&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mets360%2Ffeed+%28Mets360+Feed%29 

Jason Isringhausen is hurting, but not enough to call it a career. The veteran reliever yesterday said he plans to continue pitching next season, after bucking the odds in 2011 and remaining relatively healthy for the Mets. Isringhausen is bothered by a herniated disk in his back that will keep him sidelined for at least a few days, but intends to resume throwing by next week. The fact that his arm remains intact, after 53 appearances for the Mets, has him committed to 2012. "As of right now I want to pitch next year -- I plan on it," Isringhausen said before the Mets were swept, 6-5 and 5-1, by the Braves in yesterday's doubleheader at Citi Field. "The way my arm feels, getting the rest of my body in shape over the winter, the way I know I can, losing a few pounds, I think everything will be fine. - http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/back_for_more_ESeGClVJ8qAunMRhZS8MVO#ixzz1XRtuuzen  

From Twitter: - CSchwinny Chris Schwinden - Thank you everybody for the support. Those of you at the game and on here made me feel at home. I'll have a better outing next time I pitch!

Mike Pelfrey, Jason Isringhausen, Brad Holt, Carlos Beltran, Jose Lima



Photo by Michael G. Baron

 Mike Pelfrey


Surprised to see him on this list? There was speculation as early as April suggesting that Sandy Alderson would deal away Big Pelf, citing the fact that he likely won’t be worth the money he’ll soon get, and that his value in terms of receiving a package of prospects may not get much higher — it’s likely to drop as free agency nears. Many GMs may view him similarly to how they did Gil Meche back in 2006: as a pitcher who has shown flashes of greatness, but never could “get it together”, yet might be on the cusp of a breakout year if given the right environment. Alderson will take advantage of anyone who has that perspective, if it means the Mets will get a handful of young, cheap, MLB-ready players. - http://www.metstoday.com/6684/opinion-and-analysis/who-will-the-mets-shop-this-month



Jason Isringhausen:


B- - It doesn't seem likely that Isringhausen, the feel-good story of the season, will maintain the success he's had so far this year. There are just far too many walks and not enough strikeouts to make up for them. If he remains with the team for the remainder of the year, he should see lower leverage situations. http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/7/12/2272199/new-york-mets-pitchers-mid-season-grades  


Brad Holt:


7-13-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/765098-new-york-mets-dillon-gee-and-the-mets-top-10-young-pitching-prospects#/articles/765098-new-york-mets-dillon-gee-and-the-mets-top-10-young-pitching-prospects/page/2  In his first season with the Brooklyn Cyclones, he broke the minor league team franchise record with 96 strikeouts (including 14 in one six-inning performance). His fastball now reaches 93-95 mph, and he has been clocked at 97 mph after reaching back. He has good command for the pitch, and has developed a deep endurance that ensures his fastball maintain the same velocity late in the game. Holt is described as having the ideal built for a pitching prospect, and has been compared to Randy Johnson. At this point, however, Holt is 24 years old and pitching for the Binghamton AA team. He hasn’t had a winning record since getting the call-up to AA ball in 2009, and his ERA has been very high. He has been unable to develop an efficient secondary pitcher, and many worry whether or not Bradley Holt only smells like success because he looks (and sounds) like a professional player.


Carlos Beltran:


7-13-11: - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/7/13/2272873/new-york-mets-batters-mid-season-grades  - A - His excellent plate discipline never went anywhere, but the injury did sap his power. Now the Mets' All-Star has dialed back the clock to 2008, the last time he had a .200+ ISO. The highest fly ball rate he's had since 2006 is helping, of course. Set against a backdrop of failing offense around the league, Beltran without his speed looks much like Beltran with his speed. His 146 wRC+ is the third-best number of his career. Voltron: The Next Dimension?


Jose Lima:


1994-2006 (Astros/Tigers/Royals/Dodgers/Mets) - There is no player more deserving of celebration than Jose Lima. He made failure a jubilant spectacle and success a hyperbolic joy. Lima was responsible for some of the worst-pitched seasons in baseball history—in 2000 he went 7-16, 6.65 and in 2005 he went 5-16, 6.99—and his durability as a starter was a reflection more on the addictive nature of Lima Time than his actual effectiveness as a pitcher. He sang. He danced. He pitched a miracle shutout in the 2004 playoffs to give the Dodgers' their first postseason victory since 1988. He also usually stunk; it was part of his mystique. Jose Lima is tragically dead. Long live Jose Lima - http://deadspin.com/5820716/the-100-worst-baseball-players-of-all-time-a-celebration-part-1  

Jeurys Familia, Jason Isringhausen, Bobby Parnell, Lucas Duda, Marv Throneberry

Jeurys Famila:


7-13-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/765098-new-york-mets-dillon-gee-and-the-mets-top-10-young-pitching-prospects#/articles/765098-new-york-mets-dillon-gee-and-the-mets-top-10-young-pitching-prospects/page/2  - Familia, who led the St. Lucie Mets with 137 strikeouts in 2010 (K per nine of 10.2), was called up to play AA ball for Binghamton this May. Earlier this season, his line (1.49 ERA, 36 K’s, 0.798 WHIP) in six games for St. Lucie certainly made the pitcher out to be a young sensation. While once a victim of terrible control issues, his velocity has been climbing and now can reach up to 96-97 mph. He’d fumbled here and there, perhaps throwing off the perceptive development curve, but most of it was due to his learning of a changeup. Familia also throws an above-average slider, sported a 50 percent groundball rate in 2011, and is working on his command. As his numbers improve, so does the general word on his scouting report and the development has been a treat for those fortunate enough to watch him. Lots of officials like Familia, and think that he could skyrocket on the 2012 prospects board. Just recently, Mets Geek called him the third-best upside arm behind Mejia and Holt.



Jason Isringhausen


There’s one argument that the Mets won’t trade Izzy because they’ll need him once K-Rod is gone, and further, he’ll continue to be something of a mentor to potential closer-in-waiting Bobby Parnell. Nice thoughts, but I doubt Sandy Alderson would refrain from actively marketing Izzy’s services, considering the dearth of quality middle relief around MLB. At the same time, Izzy won’t be given away — if he is traded, the Mets will get something of value in return. - http://www.metstoday.com/6684/opinion-and-analysis/who-will-the-mets-shop-this-month



Bobby Parnell:


A - After struggling early in the year, Parnell hit the disabled list and came back looking like he did in 2010. With 10.9 K/9 and a reasonable 3.3 BB/9, Parnell's 2.92 ERA is no fluke. His FIP and xFIP are nearly identical: 2.67 and 2.66. If and when Francisco Rodriguez is traded, Parnell is the most likely pitcher to take over as the Mets' closer. http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/7/12/2272199/new-york-mets-pitchers-mid-season-grades



Lucas Duda:


7-13-11: - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/7/13/2272873/new-york-mets-batters-mid-season-grades  - C- - There are, actually, things to like in Duda's line. He's now showing the ability to strike out at an average rate, as he did on the farm, and his 26.3% line drive rate is superb even in a small sample. Once he gets some loft on the ball (36.3% fly balls), his power should look better. It's not even that improbable that he could hit .250/.325/.430 if handed the every-day reigns. He just needs to lift the ball a little more. In San Francisco, he hit the ball out of triples alley in BP, about 430 feet deep. He has real power.


Marv Throneberry:


1955-1963 (Athletics/Yankees/Mets/Orioles) - "Marvelous Marv" was the worst player on the worst team of all time. Playing for the 120-loss 1962 Mets, Throneberry set a record for lowest fielding percentage by a first baseman. He once hit a triple, but was called out after missing both first and second base while on his way to third. Like Uecker, Throneberry turned his ineptitude into glory, with the help of Miller Lite commercials. "If I do for Lite what I did for baseball," he said. "I'm afraid their sales will go down." Jimmy Breslin agreed. He once wrote that "Having Marv Throneberry play for your team is like having Willie Sutton work for your bank." - http://deadspin.com/5820716/the-100-worst-baseball-players-of-all-time-a-celebration-part-1