ESPN's Buster Olney latest says that the Mets need pitchers in their pen that are capable of striking out the opposition.
He says the eight teams that made the playoffs were in the top ten in strikeout ratio.The year before that, five teams ranked in the top ten.
The Mets relievers finished 17th in strikeout ratio of 7.48 per nine innings, most of that was because of Billy Wagner's absence. Wagner struck out 52 batters in 47 innings..The rest of the pen only had a strikeout ratio of 7.22. If you take Billy out of the equation (which will happen in 2009), the Mets would of ranked 23 out of 30 teams..
The Mets are looking to fill Billy Wagner's shoes and strikeouts, here are the candidates:
a?? In 2008, Francisco Rodriguez struck out 77 hitters in 68.1 innings, and in his career, his strikeout ratio has been staggering -- 587 punchouts in 451.2 innings. But there is a concern among scouts, generally, that K-Rod's growing reliance on his breaking ball might eventually lead to a breakdown, and they wonder if we're already seeing signs of wear: His WHIP of 1.288 was the highest in his career.
a?? Brian Fuentes racked up a whopping 82 strikeouts in 62.2 innings, confounding hitters with his unusual delivery. In his career, he has averaged more than a punchout per inning (480 in 422 innings). He is naturally more potent against left-handed hitters (20 strikeouts in 53 at-bats in '08), but he gets a lot of missed swings against righties, as well (62 in 203 at-bats). Each time a player from a small market comes under consideration from a Boston, Philly or New York team, there are the inevitable questions about whether the player can survive in that atmosphere -- but sources say that the Mets are confident that Fuentes would thrive pitching in New York.
a?? Kerry Wood did what Kerry Wood usually does when he pitches: He struck out a lot of guys, and compiled 84 in 66.1 innings. The concern with Wood, as always, is about his durability.
a?? Trevor Hoffman had 30 saves in 34 chances for the Padres in 2008. But given the Mets' preference for power relievers this winter, Hoffman -- whose fastball is now in the low-80s -- would not seem to be a fit.
a?? Brandon Lyon is going to get some play as a possible closer in the market, after picking up 26 saves in 2008, but he allowed 75 hits and struck out 44 in 59.1 innings; he's not really a match for New York.
Original Story:
http://www.ddmetsfanblog.com/2008/11/...
He says the eight teams that made the playoffs were in the top ten in strikeout ratio.The year before that, five teams ranked in the top ten.
The Mets relievers finished 17th in strikeout ratio of 7.48 per nine innings, most of that was because of Billy Wagner's absence. Wagner struck out 52 batters in 47 innings..The rest of the pen only had a strikeout ratio of 7.22. If you take Billy out of the equation (which will happen in 2009), the Mets would of ranked 23 out of 30 teams..
The Mets are looking to fill Billy Wagner's shoes and strikeouts, here are the candidates:
a?? In 2008, Francisco Rodriguez struck out 77 hitters in 68.1 innings, and in his career, his strikeout ratio has been staggering -- 587 punchouts in 451.2 innings. But there is a concern among scouts, generally, that K-Rod's growing reliance on his breaking ball might eventually lead to a breakdown, and they wonder if we're already seeing signs of wear: His WHIP of 1.288 was the highest in his career.
a?? Brian Fuentes racked up a whopping 82 strikeouts in 62.2 innings, confounding hitters with his unusual delivery. In his career, he has averaged more than a punchout per inning (480 in 422 innings). He is naturally more potent against left-handed hitters (20 strikeouts in 53 at-bats in '08), but he gets a lot of missed swings against righties, as well (62 in 203 at-bats). Each time a player from a small market comes under consideration from a Boston, Philly or New York team, there are the inevitable questions about whether the player can survive in that atmosphere -- but sources say that the Mets are confident that Fuentes would thrive pitching in New York.
a?? Kerry Wood did what Kerry Wood usually does when he pitches: He struck out a lot of guys, and compiled 84 in 66.1 innings. The concern with Wood, as always, is about his durability.
a?? Trevor Hoffman had 30 saves in 34 chances for the Padres in 2008. But given the Mets' preference for power relievers this winter, Hoffman -- whose fastball is now in the low-80s -- would not seem to be a fit.
a?? Brandon Lyon is going to get some play as a possible closer in the market, after picking up 26 saves in 2008, but he allowed 75 hits and struck out 44 in 59.1 innings; he's not really a match for New York.
Original Story:
http://www.ddmetsfanblog.com/2008/11/...
