See, this is the type of thing I just don't understand. And when people get on me for getting too crazy about things like the Mets, I point to moves like this. The Mets have decided Aaron Heilman is going to the bullpen and Brian Bannister will be in the starting rotation. Here are the reasons I don't like this.
1) Is Bannister really ready? Remember Tyler Yates? The king of the blown out elbow? In 2002 or 2003 he pitched lights out in spring training and the Mets decided to give him a sho in the rotation. He got whacked around by Montreal two starts in a row and hasn't started a game since. He's in Baltimore now, trying to get his career on track. Apparently that's where the 2003 Mets go to rehabilitate their bodies and their careers. Orber Moreno. Kris Benson. Vic Darensbourg. Desi Relaford. Esix Snead. Watch, Ty Wigginton and JAmes Baldwin will be in Baltimore before you know it! Anyway, Bannister has been very good this spring. Low ERA, low walks, good location. But the guy has barely even pitched in Triple AAA Norfolk. Is he ready to handle this pressure in New York?
2) Who's our backup in the rotation? When one of our starters gets hurt, and notice, I use the word "when," not "if." When one gets hurt and misses a start, who steps in? Jose Lima (who as I speak is getting hammered like Ted Kennedy after a rough week at work? Jason Scobie? John Maine? Are we going to bring David Cone out of retirement again? I mean, what do we have to hag our hats on? Bannister would have been perfect for this spot. He could have gone to Norfolk, got some more experience, and when the time was right, he could get called up. Now we have no legitimate protection. Unless Mike Pelfrey is ready now and we don't know it yet.
3) The front office is messing up Heilman's head. This is a guy, who at this time last year, we all thought was on the scrap heap. Most people thought he was a first round draft choice bust, and we've seen plenty of those with the Mets over the years. I liked him and he emerged in May with that incredible complete game shutout win over Florida. Then when the rotation got healthy, he became a solid reliever. And he was very good. But all along, this winter, Heilman stated his desire to start. And the staff wanted to accomodate him. So they traded Jae Seo and Benson to open a spot. I wasn't in favor of trading both guys, but at least a plan was in place. So Heilman comes to camp and pitches very well as a starter. But Bannister's emergence catches the world off guard and the office decides to put Heilman back in the pen so he can get lefties out. They are messing with this kid's head and I'm very nervous. Heilman could be that wild card the Mets need to take a big step up if he can pitch this year like he did last year. Or he could be the Mets version of Manny Malhotra. I hope that Notre Dame education made him mentally tough, because he will need it.
I really hope they're right by making this move. I really do. This team has a load of veterans (Pedro, Glavine, Franco, Delgado, LoDuca) and doesn't have much time to win a division, pennant, or World Series as constructed. Two years, tops. I hope this does not backfire for Bannister, for Heilman, for the pitching staff, and for the team.
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