In a report for the Star-Ledger, Dan Graziano explains why the Mets bullpen is not built for October, saying, “It’s one thing to get Omar Infante out in the ninth inning. It’s quite another when it’s Manny Ramirez or Prince Fielder or Alfonso Soriano or…well, you get the idea.”
…well, Scott Schoeneweis did get Chipper Jones out in the ninth
last night, not just infante, and, fortunately, not every hitter in every lineup is Manny Ramirez, though dan still makes a good point…
That said, I am getting a lot of e-mail from people demanding that the Mets acquire a relief pitcher, or, ‘Go get a closer,’ as if it is this simple. I mean, there are two or three elite closers in the game, and every team is always looking to acquire one – yet, some how, people want Omar Minaya to steal one during a pennant race.
From what I can gather, the Mets are not confident in their ability to acquire any sort of relief pitcher before September 1, let alone another team’s established closer.
This has less to do with the Mets, who are willing to make a deal, and most everything to to do with a) the market, and b) the fact that the Phillies or Marlins will likely block any such impactful acquisition from getting to Minaya.
Minaya, on making a trade, speaking to reporters, said:
“The reality is true, proven guys are not going to get through…I believe we’ve got guys in (the locker room) who are going to step up. The best answer’s in that room.”
In my opinion, the Mets should probably look to sign free-agent RHP Al Reyes, who was released outright by the Rays, after he refused to accept an assignment to the minor leagues.
In 26 relief appearances for the Rays, Reyes had a 4.37 ERA while striking out 19 batters and walking 10 in 22 innings.
Nevertheless, according to Joel Sherman in the New York Post,
“Most relievers who have passed through waivers (think Milwaukee’s Eric Gagne and David Riske, and Baltimore’s Jamie Walker) do not entice the Mets.”
However, Sherman adds, “Cincinnati’s David Weathers intrigues the Mets,” but will probably cost Minaya ‘a player like Nick Evans.’
In 56 appearances for the Reds this season, Weathers is 2–5 with a 3.33 ERA, during which opponents are batting .277 against him.
He has not ended a season with an ERA over 4.00 since 2004.