Bullpen now strength since an abysmal 2009
Viera, Fla. — Nationals relief pitcher Sean Burnett arrived in Washington just shy of three years ago in the midst of an epic implosion.
A team headed for a second straight 100-loss season had already blown up its bullpen twice that season and the calendar hadn’t yet flipped to July. By the time Burnett was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 30 — a deal that included combustible outfielder Nyjer Morgan — five members of the Opening Day bullpen were off the roster. Three weeks later that number rose to six.
Yet out of that rash of trades, cuts and demotions came the genesis of a rebirth. Burnett was part of it. So, too, was teammate Tyler Clippard, who was promoted just a week before Burnett was acquired and by last summer emerged as an All-Star set-up man. Earlier that month, the Nats drafted current closer Drew Storen with the No. 10 pick in the 2009 draft. He was in the big leagues by the next May.
“The bullpen’s the best part of our team for the last two, three years. I don’t really think there’s a doubt about it,” Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman said. “They’re the most consistent part of our team. When you can make the game a six-inning game, it’s advantage you.”
And so baseball’s worst bullpen in 2009 (5.09 ERA) jumped all the way to fifth in 2010 (3.35 ERA). Last season it’s ranking held steady even as its ERA dropped again (3.20). Henry Rodriguez, acquired in a trade with Oakland before last season, added one of the game’s most electrifying, if inconsistent, power arms. After two quality seasons in Washington, Burnett had his ups and downs in 2011 with an ERA that ballooned from 2.14 in 2010 to 3.81. But he remained tough on left-handed batters.
“I think the week before I got here was when seven guys were sent out and seven guys sent in, which I don’t think I’d ever heard of,” Burnett said, exaggerating some for affect. “You’ve seen [general manager Mike] Rizzo put his stamp on things since Day One when he took over. He’s brought in arms. He’s brought in players. He’s changed the caliber of baseball, and he’s changed the attitude.”
And Washington added one of the top closers of the last decade in the offseason. Brad Lidge pitched in a World Series with Houston and was on the mound when Philadelphia won it in 2008, completing a perfect 48-for-48 season in save attempts. Lidge, 35, isn’t the pitcher he once was. But he will serve as a veteran jack-of-all trades this season with duties as part-time closer, set-up man and middle reliever.
Barring injury, promising relievers like Ryan Mattheus, 28, and Ryan Perry, 25, are headed to the minors. Even Craig Stammen, who at times has proven capable in the bullpen, will find himself at Triple-A Syracuse. But all three should contribute at some point this season.
“You’ve seen the competitiveness. You’re fighting for a job,” Burnett said. “If you don’t get it done there’s somebody that’s waiting to get it done.”
