Frank Francisco has been really bad this season so far, but his past performance shows that he’s likely to bounce back and be a decent relief pitcher for the rest of the season. That’s why, no matter what Mets manager Terry Collins decides to do with him, the decision will likely be viewed as the right one.
Because Francisco’s ERA is not going to stay at 8.56, Terry Collins will be praised no matter what he does. Leave Francisco in the ninth, and Collins’ faith will be rewarded. Move Francisco to the seventh or eighth, and he’ll pitch better in the new role. The only thing Collins shouldn’t do is move someone who isn’t Bobby Parnell into the closer’s role.
I wrote about Francisco, as well as Bobby Parnell and Jon Rauch, over at The Daily Stache today. Check it out, or don’t.
Inside Yolk 