The Mets’ bullpen has been a mess for most of the season, and Billy Wagner evidently is tired of the pitchers involved shouldering the blame. In a New York magazine article that hits newsstands tomorrow, Wagner points a finger at Willie Randolph and pitching coach Rick Peterson as part of the problem.
“We’ve been throwing four innings a night – for months!” Wagner told the magazine. “Our pitching coach has no experience talking to a bullpen. He can help you mechanically, but he can’t tell you emotions. He has no idea what it feels like. And neither does Willie. They’re not a lot of help, put it that way.”
This isn’t the first time Wagner has voiced concern about the manner in which Randolph and Peterson handle the bullpen. Earlier this season, Wagner suspected that not enough relievers knew their roles. But the latest comment underscores a perceived lack of connect between Randolph and some of his players.
Aaron Heilman, Guillermo Mota and Jorge Sosa are among the struggling relievers who contributed to the team’s freefall. The Mets blew a seven-game NL east lead in less than three weeks before forging a tie with a 13-0 win over the Marlins and a Phillies loss yesterday.
Wagner incurred his own problems, with three blown saves and a loss since Aug. 23.
The bullpen entered yesterday’s play with a 4.08 ERA, which ranked 10th in the National League. Though the team’s starting pitchers have struggled to work deep into games, their relievers haven’t been overworked by league standards; 10 NL teams had logged more relief innings than the Mets entering yesterday’s play.
Wagner, who is signed through 2009, tells the magazine he accepts responsibility for his failures and doesn’t put too much stock into fan reaction.
“If I walk in after a save and this fan’s up there yelling, ‘We love you!’ – yeah, you love me today,” Wagner said. “I blow a save, ‘We hate you!’ Well, you hate me today.”