Back in 2006, a game thread was posted at Fire Brand (link doesn’t work, sorry) in which Julian Tavarez gave up a game-winning grand slam to Jason Kubel. Former Fire Brander Andrew Lipsett wanted Delcarmen in the game; I defended Taveras. Lipsett’s point:
MDC hasn’t proven he can because he hasn’t gotten the chance to. Tavarez hasn’t proven he can handle it because he’s been given many chances, and has shown himself to be grossly incompetent. In that scenario, you try the guy who hasn’t proven he can, rather than the one who’s rather spectacularly proven that he CAN’T.
Put it this way: You’re trying to get to the other side of a large brick wall. The method you’ve been trying involves running at it really fast and seeing if it breaks. Every time, you just wind up with a headache. Then someone hands you a trampoline; you don’t know that it’ll get the job done, but you also don’t know that it won’t. Would you rather keep running at the wall, or give jumping a try?
An entire post was born, and MDC became known as the ‘Trampoline’ around these parts.
The point of that post, and the point of me bringing it up now, is to mention that nothing seems to have changed. The 2006 Delcarmen is the 2009 Delcarmen. Every year, Delcarmen seems to improve, but then a bad streak derails his season and his confidence in big spots is questioned.
Take for example, some splits on Delcarmen:
- The last 14 days have an ERA of 31.50 attached, MDC having worked two innings and giving up seven runs
- Delcarmen is a liability on the road. His road numbers posit a 2.055 WHIP and 5.55 ERA. Home? 1.29, 3.41.
- Since the All-Star Game, the Trampoline has posted a 7.25 ERA in 22.1 innings; 16 walks and 18 strikeouts.
Delcarmen is mired in what could be termed the worst streak of his professional career. Nothing he is doing is working. The mechanical issue has been identified, but it’s going to take time to correct it.
Manny, time is running out.
It’s gotten to the point where there is a legitimate question as to whether Manny belongs on a postseason roster. Should Delcarmen make the roster ahead of players such as Takashi Saito, Tim Wakefield, Paul Byrd, Michael Bowden? You could make a better or just-as-good case for these players over MDC.
Delcarmen is 27 years old and many view him as a potential closer in the NL. Maybe that’s where he needs to go, because in the American League he’s developed a reputation for being unclutch, a basket case and constantly digging his way out of trouble.
Right now, MDC is on pace to post his highest WHIP in the league sans the 2003 season, comprised of nine innings. Barring a hot streak, his WHIP will end the season with that dubious award.
It’s a shame, because last year saw MDC take the proverbial step forward: 3.27 ERA in 74.1 innings with a 1.12 WHIP. His fastball was the highest velocity ever at 95.5. That’s sank to 94.0 MPH on the year, and he’s using his changeup significantly more. With a downtick in velocity off the fastball, your change will be less imposing. When you use it more (Trampoline favored the curve in 2008)… batters will sit on it.
Delcarmen looked to be an amazing relief pitcher prior to the All-Star game. He’s been a completely different player since, and it’s gotten to the point where there is a serious question towards if he should be pitching in October.
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If its between MDC and Byrd, then MDC should make the roster. I don’t care how unclutch MDC is. I want power pitching in the playoffs, don’t want Byrd throwing meatballs to tired bats.
agree w/ marcos. Byrd sucks worse than MDC.
Good stuff Evan!
I agree with the above. But Saito might be the better option.
They’ve been careful with him all season, yet he still has 52 appearances and the teams 2nd best ERA at 2.44. The 1.30 WHIP is also solid, as is the .234 BAA and the guy have closer experience.
Bottom Line: If came down to MDC or Saito, I think it’s a no brainer… sorry Manny.
Good points all. I can see every reason to include Takashi Saito in the postseason. He has quietly gotten most of his awesome stuff back over the year, while MDC has been sporadic. Three things about MDC are apparent right now.
1. You can’t stretch him out over two innings.
2. Never have him close a game.
3. When he gets in trouble, pull him fast.
Despite the uniform talent and depth of this Pen, the Sox continually ignore these Manny-facts hoping to get more out of him than he has at this time. Manny is a real talent, is having an off year, and should be more consistent in 2010. If the Sox consider trading him but can’t get full value for him in a trade, they should keep him in the Pen and use him properly. I’m thinking David Aardsma, among others.
I expect Tito will give MDC quite a few more chances in the regular season. If he shows improvement, he’s a valuable part of the bullpen. If he can’t, then I agree that Saito is a better choice.
The only reason to choose Byrd is to provide a mopup option in case a playoff game gets out of hand. Wakefield would be preferable in the long-relief slot, but his health is likely to keep him out of consideration.
Playoffs teams should be good enough not to get killed in the playoffs. Therefore there shouldn’t be a need for a pitcher like Byrd. Besides the Red Sox have such a deep bullpen that they’d be okay if starters go 6 innings. Plus i don’t think Byrd is an innings eater, considering he gives up tons of runs.
So would you advocate MDC in the back of the bullpen for 11 pitchers or go 10?
10 pitchers, because I don’t want DelCarmen or Byrd on the roster. But I wouldn’t be extremely angry if MDC makes the roster as long as he’s not used in close games. I would rather have MDC as a semi mop up guy that Byrd as a mop up. As mentioned before there shouldn’t be mop up guys on playoffs teams, especially teams with deep pitching staffs, like the Sox.