Nationals 7, Mets 5: Hisanori Takahashi Has Secured A Bullpen Role

by James Kannengieser on Mar 27, 2010 9:00 PM EDT

Kiko Calero surrendered a 10th inning two-run homer to Alberto Gonzalez and Mike Jacobs grounded into a game-ending double play as the Nationals beat the Mets in Port St. Lucie today. Calero was one of seven relievers to appear and looked good in his first inning of work, striking out two and inducing a groundout. He struggled in his second inning of work, where he allowed the decisive blast.

Hisanori Takahashi's brief scoreless inning streak ended after he allowed four runs on four hits in three innings. He did strike out three while walking just one, and now boasts a 13:2 K:BB ratio in 11.1 innings this spring. According to David Waldstein at the New York Times, Tak2 throws six pitches and his catchers in Japan had a unique system for calling them:

Waldstein also notes that Takahashi is a lock to make the team as a reliever, despite Rod Barajas describing him as "no less than a middle-of-the-rotation guy." Don't be surprised to see him make a few starts this season. Francisco Rodriguez, Sean Green, Bobby Parnell, Ryota Igarashi and Raul Valdes (who?) combined to allow eight baserunners but just one run in 5.2 innings.

David Wright had a big day, going 3-3 with a double and a stolen base. All three hits were well-struck. Luis Castillo hit a line drive three-run homer in the 7th, temporarily giving the Mets a 5-4 lead. I jumped out of my chair in jubilation, only to sheepishly sit back down upon remembering that it's a spring training game against the Nationals. Jacobs went 0-4 with a walk, and Gary Cohen nearly blew a gasket calling a Jacobs fly-out early in the game. The ball ended up about thirty feet short of the warning track but Gary's call, combined with SNY's camerawork, would've had you thinking Jacobs went about 450 feet deep over the right field fence. Apparently the wind was strong today.

Kevin Burkhardt interviewed Chris Carter during the game. "The Animal" sports a crew cut and looks like he just arrived for basic training at Parris Island. Carter said all the right things during the brief Q & A, basically stating all he can do is work hard and hope the powers-that-be deem him worthy of a roster spot.

The Mets face the Cardinals at 1:10 tomorrow. The game will be broadcast on WPIX.

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Then it looks like this may be our pen

1. Rodriguez
2. Igarashi (lock)
3. Feliciano
4. Calero (lock?
5. Nieve (lock?)
6. Takahashi (if Waldstein NYT is right)
7. Figueroa (if Noble is right)

Which means Mejia (!), Parnell, and Green are sent down. This may be wishful thinking, I better go sacrifice a lamb just in case.

by DoghouseBlues on Mar 27, 2010 9:49 PM EDT reply actions

Calero might not make the team out of ST

Worries of arm strength

by The 'Ropolitans on Mar 27, 2010 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions

That would be my ideal bullpen

Who cares how bad the Bay deal will look in 2013, the world is going to end in 2012 anyway

by Stephen Schmidt on Mar 27, 2010 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe wishful thinking, but certainly within the realm of possibility at this point.

If the Mets are competing half way through the year, and Mejia’s been dominating AA or AAA, and they decide to bring him up to relieve for a month or two, that’s fine by me. But don’t fuck up the guy’s potential and service clock based on a month of spring training in some foolhardy attempt to “win” the division. I’m sure this is redundant by now, but amazingly, it still needs to be said.

John Olerud, Hall of Famer. Got a nice ring to it.

by squid92 on Mar 27, 2010 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Escobar, in theory, could also make an appearance at some point during the year.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Mar 28, 2010 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

If this is the bullpen on Opening Day...

Minaya deserves a good deal of credit, I think. Lots of intriguing arms out there, particularly with Escobar on the DL as a possibility for a later-season addition if one or more struggle. You also have Green and Parnell waiting in the wings, with the prospect of a late-season Mejia callup—the bullpen could be a real strength with this team.

I am impressed, but I will withhold judgment until the roster is announced.

by sjohnson125 on Mar 28, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

He also deserves credit

for not giving into Jerry’s stupid.

"We have a plan, and our plan, I like our plan'

it's Omar's world, we're just livin in it.

by Gina on Mar 28, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm gonna be in Texas for the next week

most likely without internet. I will be praying that when I get back, Mejia will be in the minor leagues (dear God I almost typed bullpen…), Chris Carter will be heading to NY, Gary Matthews Jr. will be in Cincinnati, and we’ll be a day away from 162 games of David Wright hitting bombs, Jose Reyes stealing bases, Johan Santana carrying the pitching staff, and the entire Phillies roster suffering from the plague. Lets Go Mets!

2009 Did Not Happen

by cjmulrain on Mar 27, 2010 10:58 PM EDT reply actions

See, I feel that if you ask for all of that

God’s just going to laugh at you.

by SuperT on Mar 28, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

...damn you, Jerry Manuel.

That is all.

John Olerud, Hall of Famer. Got a nice ring to it.

by squid92 on Mar 27, 2010 11:12 PM EDT reply actions

If it's "settled" that Figueroa is going to be in the bullpen, I'd like Tak2 as our fifth starter.

It it doesn’t work out, Niese is always waiting in the wings and can be promoted if need be.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Mar 28, 2010 12:30 AM EDT reply actions

That would be my preference too

Every year GM’s, managers, fans, etc. fool themselves into thinking they need only 5 starters. The Mets need depth here more than most teams due to performance/injury question marks. Though if Figgy, Nieve, and Tak2 are in the pen, that’s probably good enough as they can be stretched out when needed. If we keep them all, that’s 8 potential starters which is excellent depth.

I’d also consider moving Perez to the pen as a lefty-specialist.

by DoghouseBlues on Mar 28, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions