Willie And The Pen

John Chattman at Mets Mesmerized writes about Willie Randolph and his bullpen blunders:

Willie did a tremendous job with the bullpen last year, because he had a strong bullpen. This year with the pen far more unreliable, he constantly struggles with who to put in and when to take someone out. Mota needs to be sent to the minors, but it wasn't his fault last night. It was Willie Randolph's. Sosa should've been starting that inning, because frankly, asking Mota to give you two strong innings is asking far too much. Mota's been horrible this year, but it doesn't matter. Willie will put him in. Ditto for Heilman. Ditto for Sele. I know Willie's just buying time until the rosters expand - when he can use - say Humber or Pelfrey in some of these spots- but the bottom line is it's put up or shut up time for this team. It's time for them to act like a first place team. Last week, I wrote how I saw some chemistry coming and I had confidence in this team. I've lost it quickly, which stinks. I just don't like when we throw wins away like they did last night. In any event, I digress, and I'll also single out LoDuca for coming up limp last night. Moving on.

Top 10 Things We Don't Want To Hear In The Atlanta Series

Rob Cesternino at The Metwork writes about the top ten things that we don't want to hear as the Mets battle the Braves for three games starting tonight:

10. Tonight it looks like we’re seeing the 2006 version of Oliver Perez.

8. …And that’ll get Aaron Sele up the bullpen.

6. The New York Mets have announced a contract extension for free-agent-to-be Shawn Green.

5. Now it looks like it’s not just Turner Field that’s a house of horrors for the Mets.

3. With the bases loaded here in the 8th, Willie is going to bring in Guillermo Mota.

To read the entire list, visit The Metwork.

Bullpen Looked Abysmal

Last night was the most disappointing moment since Carlos Beltran struck out in the NLCS. The bullpen didn’t even give Glavine a fighting chance.

What has happened to Pedro Feliciano? The guy was lights out in the first half of the season and then goes ahead throws two balls and then drills Prince Fielder in the elbow. I really thought he was going to charge Feliciano when he started yelling and jumping around. Then Mota comes in and gives up a screaming double to tie the game and erase any hope Glavine had at 300. The most disappointing part of the night was the two run homer given up by Sele. That just broke my heart.

About the only good sign was Jorge Sosa getting used to his eventual new role as the long man. It’s coming and I can’t wait because Sele will be sent down or optioned.

Shut it down

I thought that the team could shake up the pen by asking Aaron Sele to accept an assignment to New Orleans since they've rarely needed a swingman and he hasn't been very successful in the role when he's been given the opportunity. Sele could be replaced by Amby Burgos who could be a late inning situational pitcher. But now it's being reported that Burgos has been shut down due to an elbow injury.

The Mets shut down minor league reliever Ambiorix Burgos with a sore right elbow. Randolph said tests were run but there’s no diagnosis yet. source Lo Hud Journal / John Delcos

Top Eight Replacements

At Mets Today, they write about the top eight pitcher, who could take Mike Pelfrey's spot in the rotation:

1. Jason Vargas

Vargas was pulled from his Sunday start for the Zephyrs, and Willie Randolph mentioned the little lefty as an option, so it’s assumed he’s Thursday’s starter. It makes sense, considering his previous MLB experience and impressive spring training (2.57 ERA). Though small in stature, Vargas is big in heart, a bulldog of a competitor who may be considered an overachiever. His 5.30 ERA is a bit bloated by the hitter-friendly PCL, but not by much.

2. Philip Humber

Humber may have the biggest upside of the Mets’ pitching prospects, but his spring training jitters were telling in regard to his maturity and confidence. He’s not exactly overwhelming in AAA, but he is pitching in the PCL — notorious as a “hitter’s league”. With the Zephyrs, Humber is 3-4 with a 4.30 ERA, but has pitched only 44 innings in 8 games — barely more than five innings per start. Though he was named the PCL Pitcher of the Week in late April, his performance overall has been less than extraordinary. As he’s still recovering from Tommy John surgery, and trying to build confidence, it’s unlikely the Mets will push him. If he continues to progress, we MIGHT see him in August or September.

3. Aaron Sele

We keep forgetting that Sele was strictly a starter for most of his 15-year career, and made 15 starts for the Dodgers last year. Without Jose Lima and Jeremi Gonzalez on the roster, his appearances have been few and far between — and the Ollie Perez meltdowns may be a thing of the past. He’s pitched admirably in his 9 appearances, showing a sharp 12-6 curve and well-placed fastball. While we’ll likely see Jason Vargas promoted, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be Thursday’s starter. Vargas could be sliding into Sele’s long relief role, affording Aaron the opportunity to start.

TO VIEW THE REST OF THE LIST, CLICK HERE

Two to Go

Ken Davidof at On The Mets Beat, writes about the Mets and who is yet to shave their heads:

By late Tuesday, only two Mets had yet to take their turn in the barber's chair. Tom Glavine had his head shaved immediately after the Mets' 4-1 win over the Giants, as did Aaron Heilman.That left only Aaron Sele and Jose Reyes as the two remaining holdouts on the 25-man roster.

Sele at least had a plausible excuse, saying that he had to fly to LA on Thursday for a family photo session. For that, his teammates were willing to give him a pass, but he should expect to go bald or go home when he returns to Shea on Friday. The only other holdout was Jose Reyes, who did not provide a reason.

Reyes said before the game he would submit to the razor, but did not after batting practice and played with his full head of hair intact. Even manager Willie Randolph tried to get Reyes into the chair Tuesday afternoon, but the shortstop refused. Not sure what's going on with that, but it's probably a good idea if Reyes joins his teammates.

Staff defying The Odds

So, once upon a time, critics were saying that the Mets starting pitching was either too old or too inexperienced. That Maine, Perez and Pelfrey couldn’t be counted on. That Glavine and El Duque were going to show their age. That the great offense the Mets possess wasn’t going to be enough to make up for erratic pitching and a depleted bullpen.

Now fifteen games into the season, the Mets pitching seems to be enormously sounder than the team critics said had the best staff in baseball (Phillies). So going down the list, here’s what the Mets starting rotation looks like so far:

Tom Glavine – 3-1; 2.70 ERA
John Maine – 2-0; 1.93 ERA
Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez – 1-1; 4.00 ERA
Mike Pelfrey – 0-0; 3.18 ERA
Oliver Perez – 1-1 3.72 ERA

With none of our starting pitching over the four earned run average mark, it seems that the Mets were right in staying away from, new Giants ace, Barry Zito and his ridiculous demands.

The bullpen has been equally effective in their efforts to remain one of the strongest in the Majors. Here’s a look at what the boys in the pen have been up to:

Ambiorix Burgos – 4.26 ERA
Pedro Feliciano – 0.00 ERA
Aaron Heilman – 4.91 ERA
Scott Schoeneweis – 0.00 ERA
Aaron Sele – 2.84 ERA
Joe Smith – 0.00 ERA
Billy Wagner – 0.00 ERA; 2 Saves

If you ask me, that’s a pretty solid pen.

So, critics, keep writing about how the Mets pitching is horrendous and keep writing about our weaknesses. The Mets will just keep proving you wrong.

Sele's No Savior

Eddie at WFAN, gives a good sign for the Mets early season:

Sele's no saviour, but consider this - he traditionally gets out of the gate well and does his best work early. Last year he started at Triple A Las Vegas for the Dodgers and went 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA. Called up on May 5, he then proceeded to go 3-0 in his first 6 starts with a 2.33 ERA. So he could be a stabilizer early while things, and other younger talent, settle in.

Mets sign Sele

Matthew Cerrone at Mets Blog, write about the Mets signing of starting pitcher Aaron Sele to a Minor League contract:

At today’s press conference for Willie Randolph, the Mets announced that they have signed free-agent RHP Aaron Sele to a minor-league contract.

Sele, 36, was 7–5 with a 4.18 ERA in 15 starts last season for the Dodgers, compared to posting a 6.05 ERA in 13 relief appearances. In 2005, he was 6–12 with a 5.66 ERA.