The 2nd annual “Should they stay or should they go?” article. While you read, I suggest you listen to this.
Below is a list of all pitchers who made an appearance for the Mets in 2009 and whether they should stay or go for 2009…
Johan Santana – Stay.
Mike Pelfrey – Stay.
Oliver Perez – Unfortunately, stay. (Because no one will take that contract.)
John Maine – Stay.* (*But I think he will go.) It will be another year of DL stints and arm soreness, I assume. But right now, he’s better than most other options. If (big if) he can stay healthy, he should be somewhat effective in the Mets rotation. But this is a guy I could see them shedding. If he’s not back next season, I won’t lose sleep over it.
Tim Redding – Go. Strong finish notwithstanding, get this guy as far away from the Mets as possible. Unless of course, he pitches for beard groomings.
Bobby Parnell – Stay. In the bullpen. Though he showed flashes of brilliance once or twice, Parnell is the poor-man’s Joba Chamberlain. He’d be a so-so starter, but a much better bullpen pitcher. Now about all those hits…
Nelson Figueroa – Stay. He dominates at Triple-A and has a rubber arm for when the injury bug strikes again. Also, how can you not like this guy?
Brian Stokes – Stay. Probably my favorite pitcher on the staff hit a few rough patches the last few months of play, but overall was about as effective as I could have hoped. Maybe if he got regular appearances he would pitch better.
Sean Green – Stay. He needs to stick with that new delivery. Hanging on by a thread, though. I’d be fine to see him go. Go. After further review (a few more minutes pondering him over) I’d rather see Green go.
Francisco Rodriguez – Stay. BB-Rod or no BB-Rod, he’s one of the better closers in the league. Plus, I have his jersey.
Pedro Feliciano – Stay. Offer this guy a multi-year deal, simply for the fact that he’s pitched in 54 percent of the team’s games over the last two years. OK, maybe not simply for that fact. But he's been a good reliever who can stay healthy and pitch in half your team's games. That's valuable.
Pat Misch – Stay. Triple-A fodder.
Fernando Nieve – Go. Sorry, bud. The magic just won’t be there when you get back.
Elmer Dessens – Go.
J.J. Putz – Go. I wonder if they will ever regret this trade?
Ken Takahashi – Go. Bye bye, Tank.
Jonathan Niese – Stay. He’ll be back and hopefully on the roster again. If they can’t field a somewhat competitive team next year, it should be a year of growing pains for the young guys at the major league level. If not, to the minor leagues.
Lance Broadway – Go. No thanks.
Tobi Stoner – Stay. See: Niese.
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Facial hair is “part of baseball's culture.”