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Mal de Val

Edgy MD Apr 16 2014 04:39 PM

There's still lots to like about Valverde. He throws strikes and stuff, but he's no LaTroy Hawkins. Nay. He's not even a LaTroy McClure. I can't imagine after he threw a can of gas on the end of the road trip this afternoon, the Mets can comfortably confront the prospect of the entire season with him as the top reliever. It's one thing when your number one guy goes down in July or August and you turn with a prayer to floating veteran like Hawkins or Aardsma or Luis Ayala or somebody, but going to that well on opening day and living with the results whatever they may be? Neh. So, they don't have to solve this problem in time for this weekend or anything, but you've got to imagine they are talking at length. Who next? Germen? Farny? Jeurys or Rice? Diasuke? DeGrom? Is Black back? I want to say boo on Terry for pulling Gee with a shutout. He should have at least gotten to start the eighth, but Terry might well have known something I do not. (I for instance, didn't know the Cubs were playing the Yankees.)

Mets Guy in Michigan Apr 16 2014 04:44 PM Re: Mal de Val

This is why he lost his job as the Tigers closer and even became a Mud Hen before getting a second shot -- and lost it again.

Edgy MD Apr 16 2014 05:05 PM Re: Mal de Val

Yabbut, saying fie on Val only gets us part of the way there. What next? I know Ashie is hot for Joel Rehabrahan. I know no answers. The only keys I have to good bullpens is to hit a lot, have good starting pitching, and have managers with slow hooks --- three elements that keep the burden off the pens.

Edgy MD Apr 16 2014 05:39 PM Re: Mal de Val

No explicit quotes, but... C says he'll stick with Valverde as closer April, 16, 2014 7:30 PM ET By Adam Rubin | ESPNNewYork.com PHOENIX -- Jose Valverde has now surrendered homers to three of the last eight batters he has faced. Still, Collins unequivocally said after Valverde's lackluster showing Wednesday that if there is a one-run lead Friday against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field, Valverde will be inserted for that save situation. Valverde, working with a five-run lead in the ninth, surrendered inning-opening homers to Aaron Hill and Paul Goldschmidt, forcing Collins to have Carlos Torres and Daisuke Matsuzaka up in the bullpen. Valverde allowed two hits and three hits in the inning, but finally recorded the third out as the Mets swept the D-backs with a 5-2 victory. "The only concern is if my team wins, I'm happy," Valverde said. "That's it." Wednesday's performance came on the heels of Valverde allowing a game-tying three-run homer to Raul Ibanez with two outs in the ninth inning Saturday in Anaheim. Collins tried to excuse Wednesday's performance as it being difficult for a closer to build up his adrenaline when the Mets tacked on two runs in the top of the ninth to open a 5-0 lead. Valverde also shrugged off the two-homer appearance that lifted his ERA to 6.14. Terry more or less has to say the job is unequivocally Jose's right up until the time it goes to somebody else, so it's hard to be too angry there. The adrenaline thing is a greater aggravation. Though I imagine there's at least a shred of truth to it, it should never be uttered again. It's red meat to the haters, and it'll be spun as Valverde being another fat lazy prima donna, even though the quote came from Collins.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 16 2014 05:47 PM Re: Mal de Val Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 16 2014 05:54 PM

If you're going to Gand the ninth to one guy, and you want to save the more versatile Torres for various in-game fixit stuff, it kinda Gas to be Germen, doesn't it? Unless you're in love with over-the-hill, straight-ass-fastball-throwing vets who happen to be having a good fortnight. But, then, that's not White Jerry, is it?

Zvon Apr 16 2014 05:50 PM Re: Mal de Val

I would have V on a very,very,very short leash with Germen in the wings.

Frayed Knot Apr 16 2014 06:08 PM Re: Mal de Val

Reports I read a few days ago listed the Mets as one of several teams checking out Hanrahan now that he's more than a year removed from his TJ surgery and is on the road to a comeback. He was (or maybe already has) to work out for teams sometime this week I believe. But even if he does look good and even if the Mets are the ones to sign him, that hardly means he should slot in the 9th inning immediately. Right now I'd just patch in with who's there now: Fransworth (not that he's even handled that role well) or Familia, or hell, even Dice-K. It's not like 9th innings are going to get LESS reliable with an untested guy filling the role.

Edgy MD Apr 16 2014 06:30 PM Re: Mal de Val

Hanrahan's surgery was in May, so he's not quite a year out. Reports have the team scheduled to scout him again tomorrow. Who knows? With the day off, maybe Terry and/or Warthen will be part of the scouting party. But yeah, even if they like him and sign him, he'd be pretty much a month or more away from closing a close game for the Mets, even under the best-case scenario.

Ashie62 Apr 16 2014 06:47 PM Re: Mal de Val

Edgy MD wrote: Yabbut, saying fie on Val only gets us part of the way there. What next? I know Ashie is hot for Joel Rehabrahan. I know no answers. The only keys I have to good bullpens is to hit a lot, have good starting pitching, and have managers with slow hooks --- three elements that keep the burden off the pens. German seems to have the look...

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 16 2014 06:47 PM Re: Mal de Val

nobody in AAA really knocking on the door yet. If they do move on from Valvy, likely to be Farnsworth first then Germen, if both continue tp perform. If they could trust his control, Familia could be effective I think too. Big guy, good stuff. Just needs the right metal entrance song.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 16 2014 07:35 PM Re: Mal de Val

[youtube:8dom4vg0]JRKe09YxN8k[/youtube:8dom4vg0]

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 20 2014 06:58 AM Re: Mal de Val

Good video. I'm ready to anoint.

Mets Guy in Michigan Apr 20 2014 09:10 AM Re: Mal de Val

Looks like Valverde is out, and Farnsworth is the closer of the moment. That doesn't inspire confidence.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 20 2014 09:36 AM Re: Mal de Val

Opponents take free passes from guys wearing glasses

Frayed Knot Apr 20 2014 02:05 PM Re: Mal de Val

In the meantime, 41 y/o LaTroy Hawkins is being used exclusively in 9th innings so far this season w/Colorado - and in 7 outings (6.2 IP) he's given up just 1 run on 4 hits (all singles) and 1 BB 5 saves, none blown

Edgy MD May 02 2014 09:16 AM Re: Mal de Val

Joel Hanrahan goes to the Tigers. Seems they always have a bullpen full of J's: Joels, Joses, a Joaquin or two.