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Why? This is the question I was asking myself when Aaron Heilman started the 9th inning in place of Billy Wagner tonight at Shea. Granted, Heilman may be the “logical” choice, in terms of late inning situations and with Duaner Sanchez throwing 86 mph, but how can he be the right choice after taking two of the three losses against Houston this past weekend? Personally, I’m a big Joe Smith guy, and although he hasn’t been untouchable of late, he’s been a ton better than Heilman has been lately. Also, Heilman had allowed eight homers in 60 innings before tonight.
First off, you can’t walk the light hitting Nick Hundley on four pitches. Just can’t do it. Second, Heilman should have had an out, but a short fly was missjudged by Argenis Reyes and Carlos Beltran, leaving Heilman with yet another mess. The next batter, Scott Hairston, hit a sharp grounder to third that was not turned for two. Again, Heilman MIGHT have been out of the inning, but this is the part where you pick up your teammates. Low and behold, Heilman allowed a three run bomb off the bat of Jody Gerut, and the lead was down to one.
Maybe I’m just being critical of Heilman, we did win after all, but I’m just really sick of seeing this guy meltdown. Just my opinion.
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3 Responses for "Why Heilman?"
I’ve been saying this since 2006 now…I can’t stand Heilman. He collapses in big spots for one. I’ve wanted him off this team for god knows how long…He is a liability in this bullpen. The Mets are better off with a guy like Claudio Vargas or something.
Ugh. I really really really hate that reasoning gary, cuz it’s retarded.
In his last 3 years with the mets, Heilman’s ERAs are 3.17*, 3.62, 3.04. The bad in pressure sitatuions line is just stupid idiotic talk because you REMEMBER the failures far more than the successes.
Now this year, Im not saying heilman has been to that level. His ERA is 5.67, and more importnatly, he has more walks already than last year, a WHIP of 1.49, a huge jump. And he’s giving up home runs at a greater clip. On the other hand, his BABIP is abnormally high (Career its 296, and now its 339) showing the increased hit total is a large part due to luck. Which suggests at least some normalization down to career stats is likely (he’s projected to have an ERA of 4.57 this year, which is still higher than any of the last 3 years, but far better than he’s gotten this year).
In other words, Heilmans’ likely to at least come down to close to his career stats (or at least in the 4 ERA range) if given the time. And of course, he’s been overworked to hell again this year, which may take its toll and result in the walks.
All evidence suggests the mets should rest him a bit if they can, and then use him as normal, and that he will become effective again. I’m not saying he’s closing material right now, but he’s certainly far from as awful as you and other stupid met fans make him sound. And he’s way worth holding onto for this year and beyond.
*The 05 stats include 7 starts.
[...] I’m probably the last guy left that does, but somehow and for some reason I believe in Aaron Heilman and I’ll try to defend him here. For some Heilman hate, read Rob Harding’s piece here on Hot Foot. [...]
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