The 8th inning pitcher has become a very valuable piece on any competitive team. The six or seven inning start has become the norm, so in a close game, bridging the gap from starter to closer has become critical. Many games are won and lost in the 7th and 8th innings. Think back to years when the Mets didn’t have a quality setup man and it proved to be their undoing.
Think back to some of the most reliable setup guys we’ve had – Ron Taylor, Roger McDowell, Turk Wendell, Duaner Sanchez, Pedro Feliciano. Have any been as effective as Addison Reed has been this year? In spring training we were all questioning the idea of using the former closer in a setup role. Could he be trusted in such high pressure spots? Think we’ve all been proven wrong.
In fact, with plenty of baseball left to be played, Reed already owns the franchise record for holds in a season. He broke Aaron Heilman‘s mark of 26 last week. The way he’s going, Reed could even approach the single season MLB record for holds, currently 41. This number has been achieved twice, by Tampa’s Joel Peralta in 2013 and again by Pittsburgh’s Tony Watson last year. The holds statistic has only been accurately tracked since 1999, so this record is not official.
Having a reliable setup man to lock down the 8th inning is especially critical in the playoffs where strong lineups and the increased need for pinch hitting can cut starts short. It’s safe to say we all feel comfortable knowing Reed has us covered in that regard. Now let’s just see if we can give him a chance to prove us wrong again on the bigger stage.
I had doubts about Reed being the 8th inning guy but he’s been terrific.
The question now becomes about re-upping with him for 2017. The Mets spent more money this year than any of us expected. Is this the new norm? If so, re-signing him should be a no-brainer. However, if we’re back to 2012-2015 payrolls then it’s not so clear.
Addison Reed is a “Rock N Roll Animal” just like his namesake Lou.
I was glad that he was tendered last winter and that he is arb elgible this winter. He should be a 2017 Met. A former closer as a set up man is always good insurance if your current closer should get injured. Reed has been awesome.
In deference to Elvis Costello (not Lou) I sing,
Addison – I know your aim is true.
that will be one of the M360 highlights of 2016!
Except these days you need lockdown relievers starting in the 7th.
Yes, please sign Reed!
However, the Yankees started the season with Betances, Miller and Chapman. You can’t do much better than that and the team was not a serious contender.
Spending money on a bullpen when the rest of the team is mediocre is money not well spent.
If we Mets fans would take a more realistic look at the team we would see too many poor hitters, not much speed, questionable defense, a thin bench and a past his due-date manager. The front office, probably abetted by ownership, has not done its job.
So, yes sign Reed, but the higher priority is upgrading the rest of the roster. Otherwise, it’s like putting lipstick on a pig—-it’s still a pig!
This team’s strength is the 5 Ferraris, but only one of them is really racing right now. 2 are in the shop and 2 are in need of a tune up. If we ever get the 5 Ferraris racing at once, we really won’t need much of an offense. These guys are all in their 20s, at some point at least 4 of them need to be healthy and at their best at the same time.
If we’re modeled after the Giants as some have suggested, then we have to wait until another odd numbered year. Teams built on pitching never seem to repeat. Perhaps this helps explain the let down years of ’70, ’74, ’87, ’89, ’01, ’07, and now ’16. In fact, the Mets have only made the playoffs two years in a row once – ’99 and ’00 wild card.
“In fact, the Mets have only made the playoffs two years in a row once – ’99 and ’00 wild card.”
This is the not unusual at all. If you looked at all 30 teams, you’d probably find that’s the case for at least 15. If i remember correctly, i tried to identify teams with 3+ straight playoff appearances in the last 15 years and i think i found 3 or 4. The concept of a building a “dynasty” is really a pipe dream, which means if you’re close you should go for it because there’s very little guarantee the next season.
In recent years the Yankees and Dodgers did it with money, but the Cardinals and Giants did it the right way. The Cubs seem like they’re on their way.
Reed is great. I hope he stays for 2017.