Five Long-term Solutions for Closers

A few days ago, I posted here about five options the Mets need to consider to fill their hole at closer. They are all free agent options, but the Mets only need a short-term answer for this void. They have several key options for a longer-term.

Of the dozen or so players throughout the farm system that could develop into something special at the back end of the Mets bullpen, here are five names you may not know that have a good chance at this point. As before, this is in no particular order.

Dale Thayer: Thayer was called up twice this season to the Mets. While there, he under-performed. He posted a 3.48 ERA in 10.1 innings. He was much more dominant in Buffalo,

however. In AAA, he had a 2.66 ERA with 21 saves in 54 games overall. He had 66 strikeouts to just 15 walks or a four to one clip.

That ratio was certainly good enough to earn him a spot in the Mets bullpen for next year. If he is like Nick Evans and just needs playing time to warm up, he could solidify that position for

the next few years.

Rhiner Cruz: In just 38 games at Binghamton, Cruz posted seven saves. His 4.14 ERA is not an indication of a lack of talent in the role, but rather simply a period of adjustment to a higher level of competition. He had a 2.77 ERA in St Lucie.

If he continues to show improvement and adjust to better hitters, he could develop into that 9th inning option in Queens for years to come. At just 25, he's still young and he's still in need of time to mature as a pitcher. Cruz could be on pace for a 2013 siting at Citi Field. It all depends on how he develops.

Josh Edgin: Edgin was promoted during the season from Savannah to St Lucie. Between both teams, he totaled 27 saves (16 in Savannah and 11 in St Lucie). He posted a 1.50 ERA bet-

ween both stops. He posted 76 strikeouts to 23 walks in 66 innings.

That three to one ratio is exactly what teams look for in a dominant closer. As he continues to hone his skills, he could develop into what the Mets have needed for so long. He has the potential to be in Queens by 2013 if he continues his current pace.

Jack Leathersich: This man is young (21) and raw. He has pitched nine games at Brooklyn and has one save to show for it. His 0.71 ERA was a good start for a young career. The team sees him as a viable option down the road. He may move up the system quickly and we could see him in 2014 if all goes well for him.

Ryan Fraser: Of all these options, Fraser may have the farthest road to get to the Mets. He pitched in Savannah this season, mostly as a starter. He posted not so great numbers, but in the minors, it's not really about the numbers. His 3.58 ERA is deceiving. As is his 7-9 record and his 90 strikeouts in 138.1 innings.

He does have one save this year. The team has started to learn where he is most useful. As he settles into the role of closer in the minors, he will only get better. He could reach the Mets by 2014 or 2015 at the latest.

Cutnpaste: Francisco Rodriguez, Reese Havens, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Mets DL Payroll, Dale Thayer

Francisco Rodriguez - $17.5 million option vests with 55 games finished. - Ron Roenicke said that he was going to give K-Rod some closing opportunities when the deal with the Mets went down. He has finished one game since the trade. I guess Doug Melvin and Brewers ownership let him know how things were going to go. There was no way in God’s green Earth that the Brewers were going to take a chance like that and pay a “closer” $17.5 million when they have Prince Fielder on the way out the door this winter. Rodriguez has finished 35 games this season and won’t come much closer to that vesting option. - http://thebaseballhaven.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/2012-mlb-vesting-options  

9-3-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/833229-new-york-mets-ranking-their-current-best-prospect-at-every-position/page/7#/articles/833229-new-york-mets-ranking-their-current-best-prospect-at-every-position/page/2  - In 2008, the Mets had two first-round picks. The first went to current Mets star Ike Davis. The other went to Mets top prospect Reese Havens. The Mets have been very thin at second base for as long as this decade can show, and their long-term solution is absolutely found in Reese Havens. The South Carolina stud would have ideally been called up to the show by now, but injuries have created setbacks for him as many have praised his well-rounded approach at the plate.

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9-3-11: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/09/prospect-pulse-buffalo-2012-help-on-the-way.html  - Kirk Nieuwenhuis - Captain Kirk returns from labrum surgery on his left shoulder, hopefully doesn’t miss a beat, and picks up right where he left off before his injury last May. The hope is that since the injury was to his non-throwing shoulder that his return will be sooner rather than later. At the time he went down he was the best player on the Buffalo squad, hitting .298, with a .908 OPS. His task at the time was to cut down on his strikeouts, and as soon as he makes progress in that regard he will be ready for prime time.

From the start of the 2009 season through the end of August this year, the Mets paid a staggering $107.2 million to players on the disabled list—based on Wall Street Journal analysis of the time they missed and their daily pay rate. Not only is that the highest figure in all of baseball over that span, it is nearly $47 million more than the next closest team, and more than double what 24 other teams paid their injured players. - wsj.  

With Jason Isringhausen dealing with a herniated disc in his lower back, the Mets will add Dale Thayer to the roster. Thayer made four appearances with the Mets in late May/early June, allowing two runs on five hits in four innings. He was 4-3 with a 2.66 ERA and 21 saves in 54 relief appearances for Triple-A Buffalo - http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/34230/thayer-joining-mets