My player projections continue with key members of the bullpen:
Rauch is part of the Mets revamped bullpen
In an otherwise slow offseason, the Mets made several moves to bolster their bullpen. They signed two free agents, RHPs Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch, and acquired RHP Ramon Ramirez from the San Francisco Giants (along with OF Andres Torres) in exchange for OF Angel Pagan.
Francisco figures to be the team’s closer, with Rauch covering the eighth inning and Ramirez roaming the sixth and seventh. This gives the Mets some depth at the back end of the bullpen, which was dreadful following the trade of Francisco Rodriguez in July 2011.
In addition, should the Mets be out of contention by the trade deadline, all three of these relievers are movable, since they didn’t sign for outlandish money. And they’d be all valuable to a contending team.
Holdovers from last year figure to be Manny Acosta, who did a serviceable job in the closer’s role in September, and Bobby Parnell, who throws 100MPH fastballs, but can’t seem to miss bats.
The Mets will likely carry a left-handed specialist, however that job is up for grabs following Tim Byrdak’s injury, which will reportedly keep him out 6 weeks. Byrdak thinks he can get back sooner, but then again, he has also been known to put on yellow tights and a feather boa.
Here are the numbers:
Frank Francisco RHP
The 32 year-old Francisco has been steady over his career, posting a lifetime 3.72 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. He’s been used primarily in a setup role, but has served as a closer for the Rangers and Blue Jays.
This camp, Terry Collins has been concerned with the fact that he “doesn’t throw over” to hold runners on. Well, as long as he doesn’t allow any baserunners…
Projection: 62 G, 3.67 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 29/35 SVO
FanGraphs: 56 G, 3.37 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 27 SV
Jon Rauch RHP
The 33 year-old has been a horse throughout his 8-year career. While with the Nationals, he appeared in 85 games in 2006, and 88 in 2007. Since then, however, his highest total was 75 in 2009. He had a career high 4.85 ERA in 2011, while his WHIP remained a Rauch-like 1.35. He also saved 11 games for the Blue Jays.
Projection: 55 G, 3.96 ERA, 1.36 WHIP
FanGraphs (ZiPS): 55 G, 393 ERA, 1.27 WHIP
Ramon Ramirez RHP
If past history is any indication, Ramirez will be the workhorse of this bullpen. He has a 162-game average of 68 appearances. He has performed well with pitching-rich Boston and San Francisco. In 2011, he posted a 2.62 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. At age 30, he is still in his prime. Should Francisco or Rauch falter, Ramirez may even get a chance to close.
Projection: 72 G, 2.81 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
FanGraphs: 64 G, 2.92 ERA, 1.29 WHIP
Manny Acosta RHP
Acosta was as consistent as any Mets reliever in the second half of 2011, which may speak more to the weakness of the bullpen. However, he has been pretty consistent in his career, but he’s had trouble staying on the field. His career high in appearances was 46 with the 2008 Braves. He has appeared in 41 and 44 games, respectively, with the 2010 and 2011 Mets. If he stays healthy, he should be a contributer.
Projection: 50 G, 3.41 ERA, 1.37 WHIP
FanGraphs (ZiPS): 58 G, 4.31 ERA, 1.45 WHIP
Bobby Parnell RHP
Parnell is still fighting for a place in the bullpen, but is all but assured to start the season in Queens. He throws a hard, straight fastball, and has inconsistent secondary stuff. He’s been working on his slider this Spring in order to make his fastball appear even faster. Parnell spit the bit as Mets closer last year, but still has a world of potential if he can learn to harness his stuff.
Projection: 64 G, 3.31 ERA, 1.41 WHIP
FanGraphs: 60 G, 3.30 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
Next up: the reserves
5 comments
Stick
3/20/2012-9:28am at 9:28 am (UTC -4)
I think it will be OK at least. I also expect a lot of churn, with live arms from the minors (Edgin, and a few others) coming up to replace some old guys (if they get traded and/or suck).
Francisco though gives me the willies. I really think it won’t take long before he is not closing. But, we need to wait and see.
Acosta should be solid, and i will have a leap of faith and guess that Parnell actually takes a step forward. beyond that, who the hell knows.
Ceetar
3/20/2012-9:38am at 9:38 am (UTC -4)
I’m mostly happy with the bullpen. Francisco and Rauch may not be great, but they’re clearly better than Igarashi and Carrasco. Ramirez is definitely good, and much better than Isringhausen. We lose half a season of K-Rod too of course, but I think a lot can be said for raising the floor value of our worst relievers.
Whichever lefty we chose is fine. limited role and plenty of guys have good splits. Personally I like Herrera, but Carson’s on the 40man so that might be a good pick.
kingman 26
3/20/2012-9:46am at 9:46 am (UTC -4)
Nice work, but who is going to take Francisco with what remains on a 2/12 deal calling for 6.5 next year?
Unless he far exceeds his entire career as closer, this is–without competition–Alderson’s one really bad contract thus far.
It’s positively Omarian!
Stick
3/20/2012-10:24am at 10:24 am (UTC -4)
too small ($ and duration) to be Omarian, but I agree it is a bit of a head scratcher.
MetsFan4Decades
3/20/2012-10:37am at 10:37 am (UTC -4)
I’d feel a lot better about this BP if Francisco wasn’t the closer going in.
I didn’t really mind the signing at first as we needed an ‘established’ closer. However, I didn’t realize he had problems throwing over to first.
Watching ST games, I think the word is already out on the Mets. Run/steal. Between some of our pitchers and Thole we’re going to have a problem with this.
Parnell: It’s now or never, Bobby.
Acosta: Think he’ll be one of the consistently decent arms in that BP.
Ramirez: Probably be one of the better arms which translate to him being gone by mid season.
Rauch: Don’t have much faith in him as the set up guy. Hopefully I’m wrong on this.
Had no problem with Byrdak as the lefty so here’s hoping he’s back sooner rather than later. In the meantime, I’d give Herrara a try, even though for some strange reason they want to use him against righties.