Now NOT Starting for the Mets...

Well, the easy answer would be Lima Time! In no way shape or form should he be a part of the rotation, bullpen, or the batting practice squad. Well, maybe the latter, so the guys could get some experience actually hitting a piss poor pitcher.

No, the answer fans is Aaron Heilman. The drums are beating, saying he can be the answer to all that ails the rotation. Mind you, this is the same Heilman who has not been as automatic in the pen as of late as he was towards the end of last year. He is falling behind in the count (remember the strike zone), hitting batters, and generally not as effective against lefties as he was last season.

If we can all go back in time to last season, we can see why he was moved to the pen in the first place. He has a couple of nice starts, but for the most part, Aaron was able to go through the lineup twice, maybe three times before he started to falter. Teams were able to figure out his pitches, as he lacks a multiple of "Plus" weapons. Upon moving to the pen, where he rarely would face the same hitter twice, he excelled, as the opposition was not used to his stuff.

Now, in the offseason, there were reports that he wished to be traded if he was not going to start. Omar traded Seo for Duaner "Filthy" Sanchez, and Kris Benson and his hag for John Maine and Jorge Julio. The path to the rotation appeared clear. Until Brian Bannister had a most impressive spring, and Julio continued to be the same Jorge Julio as the past couple of years. The Mets decided Aaron was of more value to the TEAM in the pen.

We are now in July. Aaron has remained a part of the pen. As a result, his arm is now conditioned for short outings, not the 100 + pitches a starter is required to throw. Putting him in the rotation this coming weekend is a recipe for a bullpen by committee game, with every arm being used. Of course, having to play a double-header is only going to exacerbate the issue. Of course, using Heilman removes the option of using him late in the game for that game, as well as the games for a couple of days before, and the day after.

Having already gone on record as being against more Lima Time!, the options are limited. There are two holes to fill this weekend, Pedro's start on Friday, and the other game on Saturday. Darren Oliver could fill in the role, but at best we are looking at 5 innings. With Maine going in one game this weekend, and Trachsel pitching Thursday, the pen is sure to be taxed. The last thing needed is to pull another guy out of the pen, in addition to Oliver. Hence, Heilman should stay put.

The option for Friday is Pelfrey. Now, I am not thrilled with the prospect for two reasons. For one, he lacks another Plus pitch in addition to his fastball, a possible recipe for disaster in the bigs. But, my hope is that for once, the Mets can be the beneficiary of throwing a rookie against another team, rather than falling to one. My second concern is also that should he fail, fans will turn on him as many have turned on Lastings Milledge. We are a fickle group, we Met fans, and eat our young quite quickly if they are not instant stars.

Tonight, the Pirates again. El Duque vs. Kip Wells. Time to hit the ball boys. Wells has a 2.53 WHIP and a 15.19 ERA. Patience guys, patience. Wait him out, up his pitch count. Mr. Delgado, time to get hot, the lineup needs you.