The New York Mets have called up infielder Wilmer Flores, and relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth--only the latter matters to fantasy owners right now. Mets closer Bobby Parnell is out for at least the next two to three weeks with a torn ligament in his elbow that may require surgery. His immediate replacement is Jose Valverde.
This is why Farnsworth matters.
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While Valverde fits in nicely with the "experienced closer" trope, a look at his stats reveal an aging, shot former fireballer who doesn't really have the closing goods anymore. Just last season Valverde pitched a measly 19.1 innings, and posted a ghastly 5.59 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP that advanced metrics indicate should've been even uglier.
Farnsworth wasn't much better last season, posting a 4.70 ERA in 38.1 innings, but he's less prone to walks, has shown higher velocity in the past couple of years, and has been underperformed his expected stats, as opposed to Valverde who profiles as a pitcher often barely skirting disaster.
Long story short, neither of these guys are very appealing options. Right now Valverde has the role, and will probably give you some saves . He also figures to damage your WHIP, hurt in you points leagues where blown saves matter, and runs the risk of becoming an ERA disaster should he implode like 2013.
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Farnsworth carries similar WHIP risk if he gets the role, but gets more strikeouts and has proven capable as a closer in the past (25 saves in 2011). I fully expect Valverde to cough up this job right into Farnsworth's waiting arms.
He's the only realistic option in this bullpen unless the team decides to scrap Jenrry Mejia as a starter and turn the job over to him. That's unlikely, so I'd say Farnsworth's definitely worth a stash if you're not hurting for injuries. Chances are he's been written off by most owners, and he could have the job sooner rather than later.
Of course the possibility exists that Parnell rehabs and returns, but read this quote by Mets GM Sandy Aldersen and draw your own conclusion.
“The ligament will be partially torn going forward. The question is whether it holds up.”
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