Adam Rubin reported yesterday that Daniel Herrera is most likely going to be given a spot in the bullpen for Opening Day. Tim Byrdak is recovering from knee surgery, but he’s expected only to miss  a couple games. To this point in Spring Training, Herrera has thrown 6.1 innings, posting a 1.42 ERA with two walks and one strikeout. So when Byrdak comes back, the Mets are going to have to send Herrera back down to the minors. In order to do this they would have to expose him to waivers, and there’s a chance the Mets could lose him.

So as Herrera what do you make of this? Yes, you made the Opening Day roster but you’ll only be on the team for a couple days and then the team will release you in order to make room for Byrdak.

The team needs to decide who would be the most effective pitcher for that short time, but also isn’t that valuable to us in case we lose him.

As Garret Olson and Josh Edgin you’re probably disappointed you didn’t make the team, but at the same time the team doesn’t want to take a risk in losing you. They might see a future with these guys, which is more valuable than just a couple of games.

What I don’t understand is why the Mets need to risk losing Herrera when the reward is only three games. I know they would like him for the left-handed match-ups, but is there anyone else that could get them out so the Mets don’t have to risk losing a pitcher when Byrdak comes back?

Maybe they don’t see Herrera as a part of the team’s future, so it makes him expandable. I just find it weird that the Mets would release Herrera after just using him for a couple games. It’s has to be a strange feeling for him. He’s excited about making the team, but he could be jobless in a week.

10 comments on “The curious case of Danny Herrera

  • David Groveman

    There is a chance that Herrera could stick with the team when Byrdak comes back. The Mets will have:

    Closer: Frank Francisco
    Setup: Jon Rauch
    Setup: Ramon Ramirez
    Middle: Bobby Parnell
    Middle: Manny Acosta
    Lefty: Daniel Herrera
    Long: Miguel Batista

    Am I wrong in thinking that you send Batista down and make Acosta the long man?

    • Brian Joura

      I’m fine with sending Batista down but I don’t think Acosta should be relegated to long man. IMO Acosta is better than both Rauch and Parnell and should not be held back for when the starter gets knocked out early.

    • Brandon Lee

      It’s just when Byrdak comes down who are they going to send down? I’ve always liked the idea of having two left-handers in the bullpen, but I don’t think they Mets agree with me on that one. The bullpen will be Francisco-Ramirez-Rauch-Parnell-Acosta-Beato-Byrdak if/when everyone is healthy.

      • Dan Stack

        Actually in Monday’s (I think it was) telecast Garry, Keith and Ron brought up the idea of carrying two lefties and said it could be beneficial. Actually Keith loves the idea and said even if the Mets had a lefty closer, he still would want two more lefties in the pen.

        • Brian Joura

          The Mets had that very setup not too long ago. Wagner as the closer with Feliciano and Schoeneweis in the pen.

  • Metsense

    The “Curious Case of Miguel Batista” is a more apropos heading because the Mets front office thinks he is getting younger just like Benjamin Button. As for Herrera, I agree Brian, give the last spot to someone on the roster and keep Herrera at AAA.

    • Brandon Lee

      Maybe he is aging backwards… I thought he retired at age 43 like 5 years ago…

  • jerseymet

    Remimds me of when the Mets threw away Darren O’Day in a roster move. O’Day was picked up by the Rangers.

    • David Groveman

      Good call on O’day. Could be like that, though I’m not sure Danny is quite the same pitcher overall.

  • Ron S.

    I came across this post and was surprised as Danny Herrera’s Major League career sadly ended then. As a lefty with a career ERA of 3.72 I would have thought someone would pick him up. Was it his size and that he didn’t throw hard? The guy had six pitches, which is rare, and had success in his limited opportunities.

    At 33y.o. now the Mets or some team probably could use him.

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