Tag: Bobby Parnell

Viggo Mortensen on 2015 Mets

viggo mortensenThe Post got Viggo Mortensen to write a preview of the 2015 Mets. It’s pretty good except for the minor error to mention EY Jr. as a part of the team. He signed a minor league deal with the Braves this week. But otherwise, it’s a pretty solid fan piece.

Mortensen wrote about Matt Harvey and the other pitchers “…Add rookie sensation de Grom, plus rock-solid Colón, Wheeler, Gee, Niese, Torres, Mejia, Familia, Montero, Edgin, Black, Syndergaard… could be an intimidating pitching staff. Don’t count Parnell out either; he could come back with a vengeance as a closer. Sorry if I am leaving anyone out. Bottom line is that the Mets have a lot of talented young pitchers.” I give Mortensen an “A” for effort and optimism.

photo credit: Viggo Mortensen via photopin (license)

Mets Sign Jon Rauch

Jon Rauch (right) and José Molina
Image via Wikipedia

The Mets signed 6’10” reliever Jon Rauch to a 1 year/$3.5 million deal to, presumably, work the back end of the bullpen. Mets fans are familiar with Rauch from his year in Washington. He’s kicked around the league a bit since then and pitched for the Blue Jays last year with 11 saves and an ugly 4.85 ERA.

Rauch has always pitched in a lot of games. Last season he pitched in 53 games which was his lowest total since 2005. His career ERA is 3.82 and he’s certainly an imposing presence on the mound, not only because of his height but he’s covered in tattoos from head to toe.

Rauch will provide an experienced arm in the back of the bullpen to work in front of Frank Francisco and team with Bobby Parnell to work the seventh and eighth innings.

Mets Agree to Contract with Frank Francisco

Frank Francisco
Image by Keith Allison via Flickr

The Mets got their closer for 2012 and 2012 in free agent Frank Francisco. He agreed to a 2 year/$12 million deal to work the ninth inning for the Mets. He’s one of the last free agent closers to agree to a contract after Jonathan Papelbon got the market going by signing with Phillies early in the game. Since then the closers have been going quickly which left the Mets with the bargain basement choices left without a chair.

Francisco had 17 saves with Toronto last year with a 3.55 ERA. He’s 32 years old and has a career 3.72 ERA.

Bobby Parnell didn’t appear to be up to the closing job in 2011 so the Mets had to go outside the organization. But it didn’t make sense to go for the high end closers like Papelbon or Heath Bell because the Mets don’t look like they’ll be winning a lot of games in 2012. There’s nothing to save if you’re losing.

Francisco is a solid, low-end closer that doesn’t break the bank. He’ll hold down the fort for two seasons while the Mets ride out the contracts of Jason Bay and Johan Santana.

Video: Mets Weekly Report – 9-11 and Bobby Parnell

New York Mets Statue of Liberty, promotion for...
Image via Wikipedia

In this week’s Mets Weekly Report video I talk to Kerel Cooper of OnTheBlack.com about the September 11th game tonight and the future of Bobby Parnell. I’ll be at the game tonight against the Cubs for the September 11th remembrance ceremony. It should be an emotional night with families of the victims in attendance along with some of the heroes of 9/11, some of the members of the 2001 Mets, and Marc Anthony singing the national anthem.

We also talk about the recent struggles of Parnell. The problems that he’s had recently have caused some fans to reconsider whether he should be the Mets closer now and if there’s a future in closing for him. Although I’m not impressed with what I’ve seen from Parnell recently, I think there’s hope for the future. Check out the video below to see why and leave your comments at the bottom of the page.

Reyes, Murphy Injured in Mets 6-5 Loss To Braves

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 03: Jose Reyes #7 of the N...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

As if it wasn’t bad enough that Bobby Parnell blew the game in the ninth, there are major injuries to talk about. Jose Reyes left the game in the second inning with a mild hamstring strain. Unfortunately, the last time this happened he was out of action for three weeks. Maybe the recurring injuries will keep his contract down in the offseason.

Daniel Murphy was injured more severely in the seventh inning when he took a spike from Jose Constanza in the lower leg at second base. Murphy had just come into the game as a pinch hitter in the inning. The Mets have already put Murphy on the disabled list and called up Ruben Tejada to replace him.

If Reyes goes on the disabled list too, it’s going to be a severe hit to an already under-manned team. The faint glimmer of hope for a late season miracle will be completely out the window with Reyes and Murphy out for any lengthy period of time.

Terry Collins said after the game that Murphy indicated when he was coming off the field that the injury was pretty serious. He was telling them “Get me off the field” as they helped him off.

Mets 11 – Braves 7 August 6, 2011

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Justin Turner #2 of t...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The Mets finally snapped their five game losing streak with a game filled with bad pitching and tons of hitting. The Mets have struggled to score runs this past week but finally teed off on Tommy Hanson and George Sherrill with 16 hits, 5 walks, and 4 home runs. They were led by Justin Turner who went 2 for 5 with 2 homers and 4 RBI’s. He hit on to right and one to left. It was pretty impressive.

Jon Niese didn’t have a good game at all but got the win because of the Mets’ heavy hitting. He went 5 innings and allowed 5 runs. Normally, that wouldn’t result in a win but tonight’s game was unusual. It was encouraging that Bobby Parnell looked pretty good in the eighth inning. He only gave up one walk but he threw 17 pitches, 12 for strikes and he was over 100 mph with his fastball.

The Mets and Braves will play the rubber game of the series tomorrow afternoon.

Box score

Nationals 3 – Mets 2 July 31, 2011

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 24: RY 24: RY ...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The Mets lose the series in Washington today and take their second straight loss. Jon Niese had a decent start going 5.1 innings and allowing 2 runs on 8 hits.

The Mets had no offense going until Scott Hairston came in for Lucas Duda in the seventh. He hit a solo homer in his first at-bat, then another solo homer in the ninth to tie the game. That was all of the offense the Mets could muster today.

Bobby Parnell pitched the ninth inning and was a complete mess. He hit a batter and the umpire, was wild as you’ve ever seen him, and gave up the game winning infield single.

The Mets head home to face the Marlins starting tomorrow night.

Box score