Make-The-Mets-O-Meter, Week 2: Pitchers

by Eric Simon on Mar 8, 2011 10:00 AM EST

Here we go, Week 2 of the Make-the-Mets-O-Meter for pitchers in camp. Not too much movement since last week, though I suspect we'll see a few names drop off this list pretty soon (Oliver Perez?). Check out previous MTMOMs here.

We'll have Week 2 for hitters tomorrow.

Player		Comment
Manny Acosta, RHP		Out of options and pitched well last season with the Mets. It's hard to get a read on his chances, but I'd say a bullpen spot is his to lose.
Manuel Alvarez, RHP		Four runs allowed in two innings so far. His most likely destination is Triple-A Buffalo.
Pedro Beato, RHP		Just one run allowed in four innings only helps his chances which were already improved by his Rule 5 status.
Boof Bonser, RHP		Probably losing the numbers game. As a non-roster invitee the Mets owe him nothing, and with so many other similarly talented pitchers in camp it's hard to imagine Bonser making the team out of spring training. He has pitched well enough, but so have a half-dozen other players with minor or major league contracts.
Blaine Boyer, RHP		Has just one inning so far so an Opening Day call wouldn't appear to be in he cards, but he'd provide bullpen depth at Triple-A.
Taylor Buchholz, RHP		Three scoreless innings, three strikeouts, no walks. Buchholz is a near certainty to make the team.
Tim Byrdak, LHP		Just 2.1 innings so far this spring, but Byrdak is on the short list of potential LOOGYs.
D.J. Carrasco, RHP		Unspectacular so far—two runs, no strikeouts, and a walk in four innings—but Carrasco is just getting loose. His two-year, big league contract guarantees, for all intents and purposes, that he'll make the team when camp breaks.
Dillon Gee, RHP		Allowing three runs in two innings hasn't helped his already-slim chances. Could get an early call-up if one of the oft-injured Chrises gets hurt.
Ryota Igarashi, RHP		He has seven strikeouts in three innings, which is pretty amazing. He's not on the 40-man roster anymore, though, so it's hard to imagine he'll beat out a bunch of guys ahead of him.
Jason Isringhausen, RHP		Minor league contract means he'll need to be added to the 40-man if he's to make the team out of the gate, but momentum is building for Izzy to make his Queens return.
John Lujan, RHP		True story: When I added him to this list last week, I could've sworn his name was "Juan Lujan" and was a little dismayed that Basedball-Reference had no idea who he was. Turns out his name is "John Lujan." Not sure it matters, though.
Jenrry Mejia, RHP		Jerry Manuel is still lobbying for Mejia to start the season in the big league bullpen.
Pat Misch, LHP		Has an outside shot to make the team as a situational lefty, but would seem to have more value as a spot starter, which means he's probably ticketed for Buffalo.
Michael O'Connor, LHP		Like Byrdak and Tankersley, O'Connor is vying for a spot in the bullpen as a LOOGY. Pitched really well for Buffalo last season: 8.3 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9.
Oliver Perez, LHP		Every spring outing has been predicted to be his last, yet he keeps trotting out there, as he'll do this afternoon.
Armando Rodriguez, RHP		Likely to be one of the first cuts of spring training, Rodriguez has no experience above A-ball.
Tobi Stoner, RHP		Hasn't pitched yet + non-roster invitee = smell you later.
Taylor Tankersley, LHP		Five strikeouts in two innings: that's good! Two home runs over the same span: that's bad. Possibly contains potassium benzoate: jury's still out. Still one of the few options for LOOGY, probably duking it out with Byrdak.

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Comments

The potassium

benzoate comment in Taylor Tankersley’s description warms this Simponsphile’s heart.

by aparkermarshall on Mar 8, 2011 10:44 AM EST reply actions

Uhh

Jerry Manuel is still lobbying for Mejia to start the season in the big league bullpen

This was a joke, right? He’s still running his mouth somewhere to someone about it?

by psuwxman on Mar 8, 2011 10:45 AM EST reply actions

If ever you don't get something on this site

it’s safe to assume it was a joke that we didn’t let you in on.

by Eric Simon on Mar 8, 2011 10:49 AM EST up reply actions

notify me

after OP gets his release. nothing to see before then.

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Mar 8, 2011 11:20 AM EST reply actions

lets hope today helps accelerate the process

Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?

by KeithsMoustache on Mar 8, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions

Well

Ollie went 3 innings today and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, 2 walks and a strikeout while throwing 28 of 47 pitches for strikes and hitting 88 MPH once. he mostly sat 85.

If that’s not enough to cut him, I don’t know what is. I really hope this is the last straw. I’ve been saying it for a while…as long as he’s not on the Opening Day roster I’ll be fine but at this point, I think it’s a logical time to pull the plug.

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!

by Steve Schreiber on Mar 8, 2011 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

how, if

they’re set on giving him a chance at making the pen now?

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Mar 8, 2011 3:32 PM EST up reply actions

perhaps this was his chance to make the pen?

Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?

by KeithsMoustache on Mar 8, 2011 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

i'd really like to see Beato and Isringhausen make the bullpen

Ollie not making any progress and these two showing good form early can only help to solidify what everybody is thinking.

"they're still shitty"

by Help!I'maRock! on Mar 8, 2011 12:25 PM EST reply actions

If Misch goes to Buffalo he has to pass though waivers.

It wouldn’t be a huge loss if claimed, but an unnecessary one as he’s going up against guys who mostly either have options or a minor league deal. The real tough decision would be if it comes down to Misch and Izzy for the final bullpen spot because the loser is likely gone.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Mar 8, 2011 2:48 PM EST reply actions

good possibility Misch

doesn’t get claimed. No way I’d risk losing someone just to keep Misch.

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Mar 8, 2011 2:53 PM EST up reply actions

someone I otherwise wanted.

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Mar 8, 2011 2:53 PM EST up reply actions

Pirates, Royals, and even Yankees might be interested in a replacement level starter.

And my point is that while Misch would have to go through waivers, almost all of his competition (for likely the last bullpen spot) would not. The only other guy (to my knowledge) who is in the discussion who would be lost is Izzy.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Mar 8, 2011 3:05 PM EST up reply actions

I would say that

no one in the group of Byrdak, Tank, or O’Connor prob have anything on Misch at this point… still think you’re overrating Misch though.

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Mar 8, 2011 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

You're miss-reading me (or I'm not getting my point across)

I’m not saying that Misch is clearly better than any of the other options, just that those other options (who likely won’t make themselves the clear choice) can be put in buffalo with no risk of losing them; Misch cannot. The only two pitchers to my knowledge who we are at risk of losing if they aren’t on the ML roster, are Misch (waivers) and Izzy (retirement). If Misch fails as a reliever, then yes, send him down and risk losing him. But to go ahead a put him through waivers when you risk little in keeping him is kind of silly IMO. It’s a similar situation to Evans v. Harris for the last bench spot.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Mar 8, 2011 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

why do you think

I misread something?

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Mar 8, 2011 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

If I may,

it seems as though you think we’re treating Misch like some sort of future All-Star, but we’re not. He’s essentially a replacement-level pitcher who can both start and relieve, and there’s plenty of teams out there who could use a fifth starter or a long man/spot starter. Like Ogre says above, even the Yankees are looking for starting depth, and Misch might well be better than some of the guys they’ve got in camp. Teams often try to leave 1 or 2 roster spots open after last cuts, in case a guy they could use gets cut by another team and has to pass through waivers.

"And that's why anybody who invested with Lenny Dykstra should really call that number. Lawyers are standing by."

by BobbyV_Incognito on Mar 8, 2011 6:58 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

as I said,

there appears to be some overrating of Misch going on.

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Mar 8, 2011 10:12 PM EST up reply actions

Who's overrating him?

I called him a replacement level starter and that is what he is (career 0.7 WAR).

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Mar 8, 2011 10:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

How is calling him replacement level overrating him?

"And that's why anybody who invested with Lenny Dykstra should really call that number. Lawyers are standing by."

by BobbyV_Incognito on Mar 8, 2011 10:32 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

He is what he is

and what everybody is saying is that he’s a replacement level pitcher. Certainly not a superstar on a world series winning team but a potentially decent placeholder in case of injuries. He’s basically Nelson Figueroa…not good enough to start the entire season but when you need a guy, he’s capable of giving you some solid innings.

Remember in 2006 when we had Jose Lima and Jeremi Gonzalez pitching? Yes, he’s better than they were (RIP). They were below replacement level.

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!

by Steve Schreiber on Mar 8, 2011 11:19 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

just saying he's not someone

I’d worry about not getting thru waivers or even losing thru waivers.

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Mar 8, 2011 11:36 PM EST up reply actions

My point why risk it if it's not going to hurt you to keep him.

Misch is likely to put up the same or better numbers as Bonser, Alvarez, Igarashi, A. Rodriguez, whoever looses the LOOGY battle (so 2/3 of Byrdak, Tankersly, O’Conner) and everyone else not named Carrasco, Buchholz, Beato, Parnell, and Krod.
Bonser, Alvarez, Iggy, Armando, and the losers of the LOOGY battle all have the ability to be assigned to Buffalo with no potential penalty. Why risk it?

There are likely three guys up for the final two non-LOOGY spots in the bull pen: Izzy, Acosta, and Misch. If not selected, they each have the possibility of being lost (waivers or retirement). Two of those guys have potential (aka not being 38 years old). As nice of a story as having Izzy back, I’d take the guys who have potential.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Mar 9, 2011 12:08 AM EST up reply actions

there's prob just 1 non-LOOGY role

up for grabs right now assuming Buchholz and Beato have pitched themselves in… Looking like locks thus far:

Rodriguez
Parnell
DJDisco
Beato
Buchholz (thus far)
LOOGY
Open

My sense at this point is that Izzy can easily pitch his way onto the team in that last spot b/c the others who can be lost don’t possess any sort of potential that needs saving. Misch, while useful as a 7th or 8th SP option has already gone unclaimed thru waivers and hasn’t turn any heads since then so there’s at least a strong chance he’ll go thru again, and if he gets claimed, so be it. I certainly won’t miss Acosta. I’d prefer Boyer over Acosta now and with guys like Bonser, Alvarez and Iggy, I don’t think there’s any need to cut someone they want just to save Acosta, imo.

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Mar 9, 2011 6:58 AM EST up reply actions

I miscounted.

In that case I guess Misch will have to pass thorugh waivers and go with a pen of Krod, Parnell, Carrasco, Buchholz, Beato, LOOGY, and Acosta.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Mar 9, 2011 1:48 PM EST up reply actions

FYI

Acosta’s out of options, too.

"And that's why anybody who invested with Lenny Dykstra should really call that number. Lawyers are standing by."

by BobbyV_Incognito on Mar 8, 2011 6:58 PM EST up reply actions

I knew I was forgetting someone.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Mar 8, 2011 7:20 PM EST up reply actions

It wouldn't be a huge loss but

I think I’d be a little disappointed, although mainly because I’ll “misch” the Misch jokes. He’s been solid in his few stints with the big team as a long man/replacement in the rotation. Unfortunately for him, he’s just not flashy enough and I think he could be a decent #5 starter if given the shot or at the least, a solid long man in the pen.

But yeah, if it’s between Misch and somebody like Beato or Izzy, I’ll take my chances waiving Misch. Remember that he was out of options last season too and cleared waivers. There’s a shot that it could happen.

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!

by Steve Schreiber on Mar 8, 2011 3:34 PM EST up reply actions