Josh Edgin and Zack Wheeler’s elbow injuries are just the latest setback’s for a Mets organization with ideas of a legitimate pennant chase. Contingency plans, whether short term or long term, are always waiting tentatively in reserve, but obviously nurtured with less attention than the best laid plans on the forefront. Alas, those same dreaded feelings that emerged when Matt Harvey suffered his setback in August of 2013 have returned and the powers that be must forge ahead as if the original goal has not been hampered. Injuries indeed suck, but this team, unlike past year’s teams, can persevere. Why? Because this team has quality pitching depth.
Dillon Gee slots into the rotation for Wheeler and the search for Edgin’s bullpen replacement continues. Obviously, Terry Collin’s (and majority of the fans) preference is to slot in another lefty to serve as a LOOGY for those late game situations when the likes of Freddie Freeman or Chase Utley loom in the batter’s box. It makes sense, but the Mets’ current in-house candidates (Dario Alvarez, Jack Leathersich, Scott Rice, and Sean Gilmartin) have little or no big league experience and have yet to show their worth thus far in the competition this spring.
If the organization is not hell-bent on having a lefty in the bullpen early in the season, a thought that seems unfathomable and irritating to many Mets fans, perhaps bringing a better Major League-ready arm could be the best solution. In the case of Rafael Montero, it makes perfect sense.
Due to impeccable command, high velocity, and stingy results, Montero has whooshed through the organizational levels over the past three years. The plan has always been for him to start, but let’s face it, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz are being groomed for the rotation next season, and Harvey, Wheeler, and Jacob deGrom appear to have dibs on the other slots. So for at least the short term, but ultimately the long term, the organization should try to make a slick transition for Montero into a reliever’s role, exactly like they did with Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia . Even if Sandy Alderson acquires a solid lefty reliever between now and Opening Day, Montero’s future should stay on the reliever path for the big team. The reason is simple: He belongs in the majors, but the rotation is “ocupado.”
Many have made the seamless transition from starter to reliever, namely the great Mariano Rivera who was a starter in minor leagues with similar success as Montero. If Montero’s arsenal is added, and indeed effective, the bullpen’s potential should be at its optimal potential considering the alternatives.
Sandy Alderson should still be looking for a lefty option late in games, but not at the expense of keeping a ready Montero in Las Vegas. The usual and stubbornly traditional skeptics will stress the immediate need for a lefty’s utility late in games and theorize on the unknown factor regarding Montero’s effectiveness on back-to-back days,etc. Montero’s value as a reliever is not as a lefty replacement, but purely as another plus arm in the pen. Like ex-starters Familia, Mejia, and Parnell before him, there will be a transition stage that will inevitably reflect his capability of the new found role. That’s why the plan should kick off sooner than later.
There are many valid justifications for keeping Montero on the starter’s path to success. The Wheeler injury is Exhibit A when stressing the need for ample reliable starters at the Triple-A level. That’s the reality of the status quo which by the way also has Vic Black nursing shoulder tightness and Parnell rehabbing. Mejia has missed considerable time throughout his young career and Carlos Torres’ innings are beginning to pile up. The contingency plan for an injured starter is apparent even to the fans, but is there any in place for the bullpen? If there is one, paving the way for Montero’s Mets career as a reliever should be the next amendment.
