Sean GilmartinEntering this season, the Mets were expecting Michael Cuddyer to be their big offseason acquisition, hoping he would provide a high average, some power, and protection for Lucas Duda and David Wright. While Cuddyer has played well since the start of the second half, there is another offseason acquisition who has quietly put together a nice season.

Rule 5 Draft picks are interesting, as many of the players drafted get a look from a team, and then go back to their original team after Spring Training. Logan Verrett was taken by the Baltimore Orioles, then went to the Texas Rangers via waivers, and returned to the Mets once he was designated for assignment. Now he is pitching out of the bullpen and making occasional spot starts.

Although he has been used sparingly, Sean Gilmartin has been a solid acquisition. In 44 innings, he has 43 strikeouts, 2.25 ERA and has held lefties to a .214 average. There have been times when Terry Collins has pushed Gilmartin to go more than one inning, and Gilmartin has gotten more than three outs in five out of six appearances in August. His stamina (which he has because he used to be a starter) enables the bullpen to catch a rest, and enables Collins to pull the starting pitcher if the opposing team begins to run away with the game. We saw this example against the Philadelphia Phillies when Jacob deGrom struggled, and let in seven runs in 2.2 innings. Gilmartin came on, and held the Phillies scoreless for 3.1 innings and earned his third win of the season, as the Mets scored 16 runs.

With all the talk about limiting the starting rotation’s innings, Gilmartin could be seeing a lot more action come September. Especially with Eric O’Flaherty struggling to get any hitters out, the Mets need to feel confident in a reliever who can get lefties out. Tyler Clippard and Jeurys Familia have the last two innings of the game on lockdown, but getting there is going to be a problem if the starters are going five or six innings. Plus it is nice to get Clippard and Familia some rest before the playoffs. Gilmartin could make himself a name if he could get lefties out at a better clip than he has done all season.

The Mets have been looking to acquire relievers in order to strengthen the bullpen, as Addison Reed has been acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Mets tried to claim Marc Rzepczynski off waivers from the San Diego Padres.  As of now, it seems that Rzepcynski will stay with San Diego, which forces Collins to rely on Gilmartin and Eric O’Flaherty against left-handed hitters. O’Flaherty has struggled this year, which makes Gilmartin the main left-handed reliever out of the bullpen. Once October comes around, the Mets might have Steven Matz or Jon Niese in the bullpen, so they could become options for Collins, but that remains to be seen.

Gilmartin has been an under-the-radar acquisition, but he has a big chance to become one the best acquisitions from the past offseason. Sandy Alderson’s low-risk, high-reward strategy paid off in this case.

5 comments on “Sean Gilmartin could have a big September

  • Brian Joura

    I like the results of when Gilmartin pitches.

    But that has got to be one of the ugliest photos around. Those socks! That hat! It burns!! Make it stop.

  • Metsense

    In the beginning of August, Gilmartin should have been given a few high leverage situations. He had earned it. It didn’t happen and IMO that was a shame and a waste of an asset. 80% of the time when he makes an appearence he does not give up a run. I don’t think he will get much of an opportunity in September with the addition of Reed and the non subtraction of Oh-No.

  • Dan Kolton

    Here’s to hoping all goes well! It would really help for the Mets to have a good lefty reliever like Gilmartin in the post season. It’s just too bad he can’t be used as a situational lefty.

    • TexasGusCC

      I know. It sucks that he gets right handed hitters out also and they won’t give him his own title like O’Flaherty gets. You think if someone tells Collins that lefties only hit .214 against him while righties hit .222 and that he has double the K:BB ratio against lefties that he has to righties it might help?

      Probably not. I feel stupid thinking that.

  • Frank

    I am a fan of both Gilmartin and Verrett. I like them in longer outings though, not just one to two batters as Collins has a tendency to utilize his bullpen for.

    I agree with Matz being used as a lineman in the playoffs, but I doubt Niese would be. If the other day was any indication, it will be Colon who goes to the pen.

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