The Mets took some positive headlines last night for the first time this offseason, setting a sequence that would lead to a much needed makeover for their bullpen. They signed pitchers Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco and traded Angel Pagan to the San Francisco Giants for reliever Ramon Ramirez and outfielder Andres Torres.
The player whose track record should yield the most success is Ramirez, who had a hand in helping the Giants get to the postseason in 2010 despite struggling in a postseason where they would win the World Series. A Mets fan may also enjoy the fact that he provoked the bench clearing brawl last year when he hit Shane Victorino in the back and stared and walked towards him. He was 3-3 in 66 games for the Giants last year with a 2.66 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings pitched.
Rauch is a veteran who is most known for his days in Washington. Coming off a down year for Toronto in 2011, he was 5-4 with a 4.85 ERA and 11 saves in 53 games following a year where he had a career high of 27 saves with the Minnesota Twins, pitching to a 3.12 ERA in 59 games. He appeared in 85 and 88 games, respectively, for the Nationals in 2006 and 2007. But the most important acquisition is Francisco, who is expected to serve as the team's closer in 2012. Rauch got some save opportunities due to injuries to Francisco, though the Mets expect him to be healthy this season. He has had more strikeouts than innings pitched the last four years but has amassed just 49 saves in his career, including 17 last year for Toronto. The Mets expect Francisco to save 30-40 for them each of the next two years. Is that a stretch, lets look at it this way, I don't think its impossible. If he can get the job done the Mets have a steal. I would have liked to see the Mets go after a closer who has more of a track record. I think going to the National League will definately benefit Francisco, who I expect to have a breakout year.
I would still like to see the Mets add some more bullpen arms to at least look at in spring training. Joel Zumaya could be had on a minor league contract, as could several other potentially helpful arms. The Mets bullpen is better today than it was yesterday, but the question is by how much? Francisco needs to emerge as the teams closer, something he has failed to do to this point. Rauch needs to bounce back from one of his worst seasons. Ramirez, despite good numbers the last couple of seasons, has that... Armando Benitez look to him when hes on the mound. Especially when he beaned Victorino last year. Perhaps having Parnell, Acosta, Beato, Byrdak and Herrera will give the team several options. Just like with everything else, we will have to see how this plays out.
The player whose track record should yield the most success is Ramirez, who had a hand in helping the Giants get to the postseason in 2010 despite struggling in a postseason where they would win the World Series. A Mets fan may also enjoy the fact that he provoked the bench clearing brawl last year when he hit Shane Victorino in the back and stared and walked towards him. He was 3-3 in 66 games for the Giants last year with a 2.66 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings pitched.
Rauch is a veteran who is most known for his days in Washington. Coming off a down year for Toronto in 2011, he was 5-4 with a 4.85 ERA and 11 saves in 53 games following a year where he had a career high of 27 saves with the Minnesota Twins, pitching to a 3.12 ERA in 59 games. He appeared in 85 and 88 games, respectively, for the Nationals in 2006 and 2007. But the most important acquisition is Francisco, who is expected to serve as the team's closer in 2012. Rauch got some save opportunities due to injuries to Francisco, though the Mets expect him to be healthy this season. He has had more strikeouts than innings pitched the last four years but has amassed just 49 saves in his career, including 17 last year for Toronto. The Mets expect Francisco to save 30-40 for them each of the next two years. Is that a stretch, lets look at it this way, I don't think its impossible. If he can get the job done the Mets have a steal. I would have liked to see the Mets go after a closer who has more of a track record. I think going to the National League will definately benefit Francisco, who I expect to have a breakout year.
I would still like to see the Mets add some more bullpen arms to at least look at in spring training. Joel Zumaya could be had on a minor league contract, as could several other potentially helpful arms. The Mets bullpen is better today than it was yesterday, but the question is by how much? Francisco needs to emerge as the teams closer, something he has failed to do to this point. Rauch needs to bounce back from one of his worst seasons. Ramirez, despite good numbers the last couple of seasons, has that... Armando Benitez look to him when hes on the mound. Especially when he beaned Victorino last year. Perhaps having Parnell, Acosta, Beato, Byrdak and Herrera will give the team several options. Just like with everything else, we will have to see how this plays out.
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