The Mets didn’t lose a player while adding two bullpen arms in the MLB phase and two players in the AAA phase, for which there are no roster restrictions.
The first of the MLB relievers, 6’4″ 225 lb, RHP Darren O’Day is a sidearmer from the Angels. After being one of the feelgood stories of Angels spring training, he was diagnosed with a labrum tear after his September 16th outing. He told the LA Times that he would rehab the injury rather than undergo surgery. In 43.3 IP out of the Angels ‘pen, O’Day had a 4.57 ERA, with 49 hits and 14 walks allowed against 29 SO. He did better against rightieswho hit him for a modest .290/.347/.333 line than lefties .275/.352/.413.
The Mets added also added RHP Rocky Cherry, who I wrote about below, in the MLB phase. The Mets picked OF Carl Loadenthal and RHP John Madden in the AAA phase, which means they can start at any level in the system.
These additions will matter much less than the JJ Putz trade consumated late Wednesday night. It’s not close.
Do you see O’Day as a potential Joe Smith replacement?
Omar seems to have a knack for having one righty and lefty sidearmer in the bullpen. Feliciano has been around on the left side and on the right side we’ve gone through Chad Bradford and Joe Smith.
I don’t see why they cant hold on to O’Day. He’d see spot duty against RHB in the 6th and 7th, and potential DL candidate depending on the shoulder. Seems like they can easily hold him on the 25 man roster.
Toby, according to the stats you posted… Righties hit .290 off him and lefties .275? If thats true, then he wont be around long.
I don’t like the pick at all. They just got Green for their ROOGY candidate, who might actually be better at it than Smith… and they go ahead to waste a pick on another sidearmer who throws 86 mph just because they can stash him away on the DL? Bad move, in my opinion, when you could have still brought Morlan in to compete in spring training with his much nastier stuff.
Joe Smith has better numbers against righties, but I would say Green may be the better all around reliever. Like Bradford he can survive against lefties better than Joe Smith.