Aaron Heilman - The Waiting Game

As I write this article Heilman has given up 2 earned runs in his game tonight verse the Phillies, but its only one night. Heilman has been very good for two years now. He is striking out virtually a batter/inning since last year and at the age of 28 has learned how to pitch after struggling his first couple of seasons in the major leagues. His ERA last season was in the low 3's and WHIP was just over 1.00. His second half was particularly incredible as he had an ERA of 0.68.

The problem: his manager, Willie Randolph. He started Brian Bannister (who?) out of spring training ahead of Heilman. When the Mets had voids in the rotation with injuries to Victor Zambrano and Bannister getting injured, it was not Heilman who got the call to replace them. In fact it was not even a youngster in the Mets system who got the call. Journeyman Jeremi Gonzalez and (you guessed it!) Lima time got the nod instead. Its not as if Heilman doesn't have experience starting as he started 7 games last season.

With both Lima and Gonzalez struggling in their first starts and Bannister's return now uncertain I decided to pick up Heilman last week. It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up because I translated his great numbers as a reliever into a start. I reconsidered my decision for three reasons. First of all, for the time being Heilman is a middle reliever and in a league that doesn't reward relievers other than closers it was pointless to keep him. Secondly, Matt Cain pitched a one hitter and he was a great prospect who I had just released. I figured he might have turned the corner with his two inning relief stint - after all he has that very descriptive quality scouts look for - "great stuff." Third, the reason Willie won't make a starter is because he is great as a reliever. Some guys (Eric Gagne) just can't start and are great out of the bullpen while others (Derek Lowe, Curt Schilling) just feel more comfortable starting.

Its something I will continue to monitor, but I would not advise keeping Heilman on a roster until he definetly is pronounced a starter.