The Mets’ new closer for the immediate future will be Bobby J.P. Isringnellato.
Jason Isringhausen, who has the experience in the job, plus Bobby Parnell and Pedro Beato, will form a three-headed closer-by-committee in the wake of the trade of Francisco Rodriguez, who recorded 23 of the Mets’ 24 saves this season.
“I’m not going to name one guy. I don’t think it’s fair at this point,” manager Terry Collins said yesterday before the Mets’ post-break workout at Citi Field. “We’ll pick some different guys: Izzy, Bobby, Beato. … We might get [to just one]. It will all be determined by how things go with certain guys. We’re asking two guys who have never done it to do it that are gonna be in the mix and one guy who’s done it in the past … so we know he can do it. I think it’s important to bring some guys into the mix.”
All three were receptive to the idea. All three said they’d like to close. All three said play it out and see how it goes. But can a closer-by-committee work?
“If nobody gets an ego, we’ll be just fine,” said Isringhausen (1-0, 3.14 ERA, 35 games), who had been the eighth-inning set-up guy all season and took his 293 career saves into K-Rod’s locker stall in the Mets clubhouse. “I don’t think any of us will have one. I know I won’t. They won’t and it will work out just the way Terry wants it to work out.”
Isringhausen came to spring training auditioning for a job and now could be closing again, a job that made him a two-time All-Star.
“It was what I wanted to do, but I know what my role is. My role is to help young guys mature,” Isringhausen said.
Enter Parnell and Beato. Parnell, who has gone through the disabled list, minors and rehab assignments this season, and Beato, a Rule 5 pickup, both gushed at the thought of closing.
“I’m ready for it. It’s what I want to do,” said Parnell (2-1, 2.92 ERA in 23 games). “Whatever happens, happens. If the phone rings and it’s my name, I’ll be ready. You’ve got to be prepared and take the pressure and put it on them [opposing hitters]. Play the cards however they’re dealt.”
Beato (2-1, 3.38 ERA in 31 games) said closing is something he would “love” to do. He got some experience in the job in Double-A last season.
“I’d love to. Love to. I know it’s not the same thing [as in Double-A] but it’s a role I’d love to do. I did it last year and I fell in love with it. It’s something I’d like to see myself do,” Beato said.
fred.kerber@nypost.com