New York Mets: A Closer Away From Playoffs?

The New York Mets  are in a current stretch that has seen them lose five in a row for the first time this season and only three in their last eleven. There have been many names creeping in the headlines as to which player would be best suited for the Mets to acquire in order to shore up the bullpen, especially the closer role.

Names such as Houston Astros pitcher Brett Myers and Huston Street of the San Diego Padres have been the top names thrown around.  I have even heard Armando Benitez‘ name creep back in to the conversation. Yes, Mets fans, THAT Armando Benitez. Benitez was signed by the Long Island Ducks on May 24th and is 39yrs old and I’m sure no better in pressure situations today than when he left the Mets.

The entire season is starting to unravel for the two-out magic boys from Flushing, and they are going to need a lot more than just a closer to make a push for the playoffs. With Bobby Parnell in the ninth, the Mets have no chance of gaining any respectability or closing the gap between themselves and the first-place Washington Nationals or wild-card leading Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates. By acquiring a quality closer, the Mets can then keep roles for other relievers like Tim Byrdak just pitching to lefties or Parnell coming in to blow a batter away before leaving the dirty work to a real closer.

The problem lies in that the Mets management has shown no signs of wanting to spend more than the minimum at the trade deadline and that just will not cut it in this race. The Mets are in glaring need in a few areas and they should either spend the money or call it a year and see what is available in the offseason.

They are very close to being a lot more than a closer away from the playoffs. No team meeting from Terry Collins or small-ball talk from Sandy Alderson will erase this nightmare that the fans are living after seeing the magic fade from their beloved team.  The season has all but closed on the New York Mets playoff chances  and a few more blown saves and defensive miscues are all that is needed to put the nail in their proverbial coffin.