Recipe for disaster......the pen

Well the Mets have created quite a buzz in their last two losses, it seems like everywhere you go in the Mets blogosphere there is one thing being discussed the bullpen. Today in the New York Observer Howard Megdal tells us just how bad they are.....

The bullpen is awful by the standards of the very worst teams in Mets history. Only once in New York’s existence has the team posted a half-season bullpen ERA over 5—in New York’s very first year, the Mets had a bullpen ERA of 5.03 in the second half of a 40-120 season. The 1962 Mets, of course, had the most losses in baseball history. The 2008 Mets bullpen, in the second half, has been nearly a run worse. source NY Observer

So what has happened to this group, I think Duaner Sanchez after two years off is out of gas and the others might be right behind him. Joel Sherman in the NY Post today points out that the Mets have four relievers at the top of the appearances stat, which is way beyond any other contending team.....

Pedro Feliciano and Aaron Heilman (68 games) are tied for third, one appearance behind Brave co-leaders Will Ohman and Blaine Boyer. Luis Ayala (66) was really pushed in Washington's pen before joining the Mets, and that overuse is often used as an explanation for his poor season with the Nationals. Joe Smith (64) is eighth in the league. source NY Post

Do the Mets have any options in the system, yes; but I'm not sure how much they can help. Al Reyes was signed to a minor league deal and is suppose to be up before roster expansion, he has pitched one scoreless, hit less inning in AA. His arm will be the freshest of anyones since he was on the DL twice this year and while his ERA is mid 4s that's actually lower then several relievers now pitching. Reyes attributes his struggles to lack of regular use and never getting in a rhythm.

The two biggest bullpen prospects have struggled in the majors, Carlos Muniz had an ERA of 5.40 and Eddie Kunz is sporting a 16.87 ERA in AAA, after his demotion he got bombed. The Mets could use AAA closer Nate Field but the 34 y/o journeyman has never had much success in the majors.

With such a grim outlook it's understandable how the Star Ledger, Daily News and Lo Hud Journal all have stories about this years pen being reminiscent of last years collapse....