I refer you to the 2007 final National League standings.
I refer you to the current 2008 standings.
I think it's important to point out deficiencies that others ignore, and leave the praise to the other places.
If I had to guess, I would not have come to close to getting Luis Ayala's ERA+ from 2003 to 2007. (154, 168, 153, 132). His peripherals are not terribly impressive. Has he just been lucky? Yes and no. His BABIP has been around average his whole career. His K/9 has been worse than average, but his BB/9 and K/BB have been good, though not outstanding. What is shocking is his line-drive rate; 20% of balls put in play against him are line drives, which fall for hits a good percentage of the time (like 70%). His ground-ball rate is average-ish and doesn't make up for that. Remember, since he gets less strikeouts than average, he allows more balls in play. Too many of those are line drives and not enough are ground balls.
How the hell has he put up ERAs in the high twos and low threes? First, it seems he has left an inordinate amount of batters on base. Second, maybe defense? Third, his HR/FB numbers are low. He's an OK pitcher. But probably not the best healthy reliever in the Mets' bullpen-- that's Aaron Heilman. We'll get to him soon.
Monday, September 1, 2008
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3 comments:
Aaron Heilman......the very name makes beads of perspiration appear on my forehead.
I would love to know why Strong Sad should be closing games for us. He can be down right solid at times, but unfortunately for us and for him, he always seems to have a hand in a bullpen implosion, or at least the ones of fantastic proportions. I feel sorry for the guy and sorry for any one who roots for the orange in blue if he is closing again.
Oh and I would like to know why he doesn't throw first pitch strikes. He has a habit of digging himself a hole early. Why doesn't his 97 MPH fastball scare anyone. I have my ideas, but would like to kow what you think?
-cpb
So if Rickey's reading you correctly: we're dooooooomed?
I'm with you on Ayala, but what are the Mets supposed to do? Wagner is hurt, and the rest of the bullpen is pretty mediocre. Brian Stokes closing? I'd be OK with that.
I'm with you on Pascucci. Being at Shea last night and seeing Marlon Anderson pinch-hit made me very annoyed.
-Greenpoint Ian
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