The biggest question mark for the coming season is the bullpen. After the Mets two closers, Rodriguez and Putz (who'll be the setup man when not closing), the contenders for the remaining bullpen spots are dwindling. Wednesday, Tom Martin removed himself from the mix after breaking a wrist.
Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News predicts that three of the remaining places will be taken by Sean Green, Pedro Feliciano, and Tim Redding. If the Mets enter the season with a seven-man pen, as Rubin believes, that leaves two spots available. The contenders for it include Brian Stokes, Ron Villone, Bobby Parnell, Mark DeSalvo, and Darren O'Day.
This Spring, O'Day has pitched the most innings (7.0), giving up two earned runs. Stokes has pitched six innings, giving up four earned runs; Villone has pitched two innings, giving up no earned runs; Parnell has pitched 5.2 innings, giving up three earned runs; and DeSalvo has pitched 5.1 innings, giving up two earned runs.
No matter which relievers make the 2009 roster, it will be a significantly different bullpen from last season's, which included Wagner, Heilman, Schoeneweis, Joe Smith, Stokes, Feliciano, and Sanchez.
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