Jim Henderson is crucial to the Mets’ bullpen

For the Mets to revisit the playoffs in 2016 it is a given that the starting pitching must do most of the heavy lifting. Also needed is an offense strong enough to make up for a possibly shaky defense.

But even if the starters soar – and they certainly did not in week one – and the hitters hit – and they also were less than impressive as the season opened – it would be important for the relief corps to be effective bridging the innings between the starter and closer Jeurys Familia.

The preseason and spring training buzz about the Mets’ bullpen has been mixed. Some fans and writers thought that GM Sandy Alderson had constructed a solid well balanced pen ready to effectively carry on when the starters falter. Others, this writer included, feared that the pen was a potential weakness.

We in the latter category feared regression from Familia. We worried, and still do, about LOOGY Jerry Blevins’ health, and had no strong vibes about Addison Reed, Hansel Robles, Logan Verrett and free agent signee Jim Henderson. Antonio Bastardo however seemed like a needed and welcome addition.

In the modern game of baseball teams who are three strong in the bullpen have the advantage of having to just win the first six innings of games. The champion KC Royals with Greg Holland, Wade Davis, and Ryan Madson (not to mention Kelvin Herrera) last year had just such a pen. The big three at the end of this year’s NY Yankees’ pen, Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, and Dellin Betances, figure to be about as potent.

But for the 2016 Mets who was going to get the club to Familia? The 8th inning set-up assignment was given to Addison Reed who just might not be up to the task. After all the easiest shorthand way to see how dominant a reliever is is to compare his innings pitched to his hits allowed. In the case of Reed he has only had one major league season, 2013, when he kept his hits below his innings. And he’s the guy to get the team to the closer?

Jim Henderson fits the mold of what Alderson and GM’s before him have tried. They bring in a former closer and hope that they can be above average in the less prestigious role of set-up or middle relief. Henderson was a solid closer for the Brewers in 2013. He saved 28 games and in pitching 60 innings he only allowed 44 hits. Now that’s closer numbers.

A shoulder injury felled him for which he had surgery in August of 2014. He pitched very little in 2015 and those innings were mostly in the Pacific Coast League.

The Mets took a flyer on him and he looked rock solid in spring training. His first couple of outings during this regular season have been nothing short of dominating. His 95 mph heater has blown away opposing batters. Were he able to continue this through the season the Mets probably have the guy to call on inning eight. One could see Reed demoted to share 6th and 7th inning chores with Bastardo.

His outing Tuesday was a setback triggered by a humongously long at bat that Dee Gordon had against him. It ended with a dink single to the outfield and ultimately led to the go ahead run that cost the Mets the game.

So we have already seen Henderson at the top of his game and one not so effective an effort. If most of his outings are of the positive type the Mets may have the guy to turn 8th inning leads over to. If he’s not it and Addison Reed also has issues then there may be no effective bridge to Familia.