There are no perfect stats, but in an era when 100 pitches has become a threshold for starting pitchers, and when bullpens are often left to for account for the last nine to 12 outs even when they assume leads, here's a number which carries some meaning: the strikeout ratio for bullpens.
You can find the
eight teams that made the playoffs among the top 10-ranked teams in strikeout ratio in 2008. The year before,
five playoff teams ranked among the top 10 in bullpen strikeout ratio. Some years the number has been lower, but in general, it's a quality that leads to quality because of the impact of a strikeout -- fewer balls are put into play and this reduces the chance for mistakes, fewer inherited runners score, and the strikeouts are indicative of dominance.
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All this is why the Mets are focusing on relievers who generate missed swings, who get strikeouts, as they reshape their bullpen. They don't intend to settle on a high-wire closer; they want a couple of relievers who come in and control innings.
The Mets' relievers
finished the 2008 season ranked 17th in the ratio of strikeouts-per-nine-innings, at 7.48, but that standing dipped after
Billy Wagner was hurt at midseason.
Wagner had whiffed 52 in 47 innings before he was hurt, and if you take him out of the equation -- and he is not expected to pitch in 2009 -- then the Mets' K-per-9 ratio for the rest of the relievers was 7.22, a ratio that would have placed them 23rd among 30 teams in 2008.
With that in mind:
• In 2008,
Francisco Rodriguez struck out 77 hitters in 68.1 innings, and in his career, his strikeout ratio has been staggering -- 587 punchouts in 451.2 innings. But there is a concern among scouts, generally, that K-Rod's growing reliance on his breaking ball might eventually lead to a breakdown, and they wonder if we're already seeing signs of wear: His WHIP of 1.288 was the highest in his career.
•
Brian Fuentes racked up a whopping 82 strikeouts in 62.2 innings, confounding hitters with his unusual delivery. In his career, he has averaged more than a punchout per inning (480 in 422 innings). He is naturally more potent against left-handed hitters (20 strikeouts in 53 at-bats in '08), but he gets a lot of missed swings against righties, as well (62 in 203 at-bats). Each time a player from a small market comes under consideration from Boston, Philly or a New York team, there are the inevitable questions about whether the player can survive in that atmosphere -- but sources say the Mets are confident that Fuentes would thrive pitching in New York.
•
Kerry Wood did what Kerry Wood usually does when he pitches: He struck out a lot of guys, and compiled 84 in 66.1 innings. The concern with Wood, as always, is about his durability.
•
Trevor Hoffman had 30 saves in 34 chances for the Padres in 2008. But given the Mets' preference for power relievers this winter, Hoffman -- whose fastball is now in the low 80s -- would not seem to be a fit.
•
Brandon Lyon is going to get some play as a possible closer in the market, after picking up 26 saves in 2008, but he allowed 75 hits and struck out 44 in 59.1 innings; he's not really a match for New York.
• The Mets won't consider
Juan Cruz for closer, but they will undoubtedly be attracted to him as a possible middle reliever, after a season in which he struck out 71 in 51.2 innings, while allowing just 34 hits and holding opposing hitters to a .192 batting average.
Around the majors with Buster Olney
Buster Olney
