Michael Pelfrey confronts likely release from New York Mets before opening day - MLB Update
Michael Pelfrey is likely to be another victim of New York Mets’ recent austerity measures as a meeting has been held between executives mulling over saving from the $5.68 million that the club will rightly owe to Pelfrey at the end of the season. Idea is
to pay him $1 million and oust him from opening day roster in place of Chris Schwinden, another contender for starting rotation.
Interestingly enough, his likely cut met an immediate setback as Pelfrey came up with a stunning show against Houston Astros, silencing most of the proponents of his release. Unlike his poor Spring Training, he is seemingly in a furious attempt to assert
his mettle and threw superb pitches.
Most importantly his control was impeccable, keeping the throws down and up at will and sometimes speeds reaching as high as 95 mph.
Mechanical adjustments he exhibited reeked of a likely big season he can provide to the Mets. His team-mates were spellbound looking at videos of his new adjustments and speak of him as a prospective major contributor to the club.
“I saw all the things today that I have heard about,” manager Terry Collins said. “I saw a power sinker (with) that great movement, beating it in the dirt. He threw his curveball for strikes. Josh (Thole) said his split was outstanding tonight.”
Although members of front office intend on his release, most of his team-mates and pitching coach think highly of him for the side.
Pitching coach Dan Warthen heaped immense praise after his last outing and more than discussing his control, he actually enjoyed the way he tricked batters from the mound.
Pelfrey kicked off his Major League career with the New York Mets way back in 2006 against the Miami Marlins. He holds a career ERA of 4.40 and win-loss 50-54 along with 493 strike-outs.
He most probably will have his last season as a Mets because his contract will end after this season. With the kind of momentum he has started to pick up, Mets will face a serious dilemma between him and Chris Schwinden, even more so in light of rare pitching
varieties he threw in the last game.
As aftershocks of Mets’ financial crisis still persist, one will hope that they will not lose sight of their real rotation combination in their attempt to recover from the crisis.
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