Just one day after being released by the St. Louis Cardinals, the New York Mets wasted no time in signing journeymen Miguel Batista. Yesterday was the last straw for Miguel Batista who issued consecutive bases-loaded walks in a St. Louis Cardinals defeat to the Tampa Bay Rays.
With the struggles of the New York Mets bullpen well chronicled, the team did something about it and went out and signed the 40-year-old Miguel Batista. Has there been a team in baseball the journeymen pitcher has pitched for in his career?
The Mets will mark Batista’s 11th team in 17-big league seasons. Batista may just be what the Mets bullpen needs. In his career Batista has done it all, he’s been a closer, a setup man, a middle reliever, a long man, and even a starter, you name it Batista has probably done it at some point.
With Taylor Buchholz out for an unknown period of time after being diagnosed with depression and anxiety, we could see Miguel used in the same way Taylor was used early on the season. The 29-year-old Buchholz, much like Batista did it all out of the Amazin’s pen, he was used as a long man, a middle inning guy, and as a bridge to closer Francisco Rodriugez.
According to ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin, Batista will have to prove to the Mets he’s worthy of a spot in the bullpen, as he will be sent to Triple-A Buffalo.
Personally, I love this signing by GM Sandy Alderson. Here’s a guy in Miguel Batista who can be a utility man in the bullpen, right now the Mets don’t really have that long man who can eat up innings. Of late, Pedro Beato has been pressed into multiple inning duty, but where Beato has thrived best all season long has been as the 7th inning man.
I’m very intrigued to see how Batista will be used early on by Manager Terry Collins if and when he gets the call to the big league club. Whether it be as a long man or in a more prominent role, the seasoned veteran will certainly bring some versatility to a bullpen that has lacked it all year long.
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