We continue our journey of possible role players in the bullpen with Taylor Buchholz. Buchholz is going for a relief job, although he can start if needed. Right now, due to the crowded rotation, Johan's eventual return, and Dillon Gee (which would bump out Capuano to the pen), Buchholz is probably on the outside looking in right now of the 25 man roster (and that is not in anyway a bold prediction). Before we get into the stats and team biography of Buchholz, its worthy to note, since we were all probably thinking it, Taylor is only a distant cousin of Clay Buchholz.
So Biography. Buchholz (age 29) was drafted by the Phillies in the 6th round of the 2000 MLB draft. He was part of the package in 2003 that landed Billy Wagner from the Astros. He was brought up to the majors in 2006, and that was really the last time he was used as a starter. In December of 2006 he was part of a package sent to the Rockies for Jason Jennings. At the start of 2007, the Rockies tried him as a starter, but then after 8 games switched him to the pen. In 2008 he found success as the set-up man for the Rockies and was actually selected to the All-Star game.
Then things go down for a bit, which is why he is now a Met (bargain pitcher). He missed all of 2009 due to Tommy John surgery and was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays. He was then picked off of waivers by the Red Sox. Finally, he signed a one year deal with the Mets.
Anyway the question is what pitcher do we have. Do we have the pitcher that was an amazing reliever in 2008, or do we have something else (since he had limited time in 2010, it is hard to extrapolate what he was last year):
Career – 19-21, 4.39 ERA, 285 IP, 6.4 K/9, 2.6 K/BB
2010 – 1-0, 3.75 ERA, 12.0 IP, 6 BB, 9 K
2008 – 6-6, 2.17 ERA, 66.1 IP, 3.11 K/BB, 7.6 K/9
It is really hard to ignore those 2008 numbers but as we all know with the nature of relievers, some years they are fantastic, some years they aren't. However with success in his past, any strong success he shows in camp this year may be taken more seriously. If anything, he is a story line to watch in camp this Spring.
