From New York Mets On SI · · 3m
Freddy Peralta's Tampa Bay Turnaround Raises Mets Questions
Freddy Peralta's turnaround with Tampa Bay highlights Mets' struggles communicating with pitchers.
In brief
Freddy Peralta's turnaround with Tampa Bay highlights Mets' struggles communicating with pitchers. Freddy Peralta's success with Tampa Bay shows Mets' communication issues with pitchers. Originally reported by New York Mets On SI.
Freddy Peralta's World Series Chance
Freddy Peralta is on the mound tonight with a chance to pitch his team to the World Series.
Mets Acquired Peralta as Ace
The Mets had high hopes for Peralta as they acquired him to be their ace in David Stearns' latest attempt to build a rotation.
Peralta's Mets Performance
The move backfired as Peralta never took to New York, going 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 22 starts.
Peralta's Rays Success
The move to Tampa Bay appears to have reinvigorated Peralta, who went 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 10 starts.
Rays' Mechanical Changes
Rays bullpen coach Jorge Moncada told ESPN's Jorge Castillo that the Rays made changes back to what worked for Peralta in Milwaukee, indicating that what the Mets wanted Peralta to do was the problem.
Peralta's Post-Game Adjustment
After a tough first start with the Rays in Colorado, Peralta looked more like himself down the stretch.
Mets' Full Windup Issue
The Mets had Peralta working through a full windup early in the season, and Rays officials noted that it appeared to be impacting Peralta's ability to be successful.
Rays' Additional Tweaks
Other tweaks that the Rays made to Peralta included a move to the third-base side of the pitching rubber, a wider pitching stance, a new workout designed to strengthen Peralta's legs, and a sped-up delivery.
Mets' Communication Problems
Mets officials relayed to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo that many of the mechanical tweaks the Rays suggested were ideas they had to maximize Peralta's effectiveness.
Peralta's Rays Praise
Even if the Mets had the same thoughts on how to fix Peralta, they have to figure out why they weren't able to get buy-in from him as the Rays did.
Mets' Messaging Rigid
The big question the Castillo piece raises is why the Mets stuck with Peralta's full windup for so long when it clearly was impacting his performance.
Andy Green's Messaging
The issue could've come down to messaging, which has been a strength of new manager Andy Green.
Mets Need Flexibility
Either way, the Mets need to take the Peralta experience for what it's worth and realize they are not infallible when it comes to delivering information to their players.
The takeaway
Freddy Peralta's success with Tampa Bay shows Mets' communication issues with pitchers.
