Crossing That Bridge, Now That We've Come To It

By Deb McIver
Posted Sunday, July 15, 2007

Well, it’s now the second half of the 2007 season. The Mets are still in first place, and have been for some time, despite rather lackluster and passionless play in the first half, and despite the many injuries to both the pitching staff and the everyday players.

So, there is that.

But now that the second half is getting underway, I’m starting to wonder – who will the Mets choose to be the “bridge” to Billy Wagner? Who’s going to be our set-up guy? So far this year, the role has not been defined, and maybe that’s because Willie doesn’t feel the confidence in any particular person, or maybe it’s because the makeup of the bullpen is markedly different than it was in prior years, or maybe it’s because of something else.

Let’s take a look at our options, shall we?

Let’s eliminate the obvious suspects first. Sele and “Just Forfeit” Schoeneweis are the long guys, obviously – the mop up guys, the guys of last choice for the prime eighth inning spot. So, two down…

Now, onto Guillermo “I Can’t Pitch Without Help (lol)” Mota. ‘Nuff said, I think that indeed says it all. Not even a blip on Willie’s eighth inning radar screen, imo. Another solidly mediocre mop up candidate.

Feliciano? More of a lefty specialist kind of pop-in guy than an innings guy. I don’t think he’s a serious possibility in this race.

In prior years, Heilman has been Willie’s choice as the “bridge.” He hasn’t pitched all that well this year, and hasn’t really achieved the same success in that role as he did in 2005, but even more so in 2006. Willie really seems to have lost his confidence in Aaron, and I think Aaron has lost his confidence in Aaron, as well.

Joe Smith has been pretty solid, more so earlier in the year than later, but has the youth, enthusiasm and character necessary for the role; question is, does he have the talent?

And finally, Duaner Sanchez, who so well fit the role in past years. Is he coming back? How will he perform when he comes back? Will he run into another Big Yellow Taxi?

Will it be one of these guys, a mixture of guys, or will the Mets go out and get help? Or will one of the starters be replaced in the rotation, and relegated to the bullpen, as some have suggested will happen?

Either way, the Mets need to chose their “bridge,” and open it for business as soon as possible!
 

Deb McIver, is the Flushing University Mother Dean over at the FU Forums. You can catch her almost any day and almost anytime over there.