Philadelphia Phillies: Jeanmar Gomez Ran Out of Gas
By Sean O'Brien
Philadelphia Phillies closer Jeanmar Gomez performed well for most of the season, but clearly was worn out by September.
The Philadelphia Phillies accurately assessed last off-season that its bullpen wasn’t a priority this year. Entering opening day without a legitimate closer was an honest nod that 2016 was being written off into the rebuild. While Jeanmar Gomez and other relievers somewhat surprisingly performed well for most of the season, he ran out of gas by September.
Gomez’ WHIP currently stands at 1.396. His ERA is 4.28. But, the 28-year-old journeyman still boasts a solid season. The 37 saves he’s earned rank fifth in the National League and and seventh in the majors. Manager Pete Mackanin, pitching coach Bob McClure and bullpen coach Rick Kranitz are surely satisfied with that effort.
The Venezuelan native was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cleveland Indians in 2005. He worked as a starter throughout his minor league career before making his major league debut in 2010. Gomez started 38 games for the Indians through 2012. In January 2013, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor leaguer Quincy Latimore, who’s been toiling in the minors since 2007.
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The Pirates used Gomez to start 8 games in 2013, but the right-hander’s transition to the bullpen started that season. He appeared in 26 games out of the bullpen, posting a combined 1.153 WHIP and 3.35 ERA. In 2014 and 2015, Gomez appeared in 109 games exclusively out of the bullpen. He posted a combined 1.405 WHIP and 3.10 ERA.
The difference between Gomez appearing in 65 games last season and 68 games to-date this year is obvious. The veteran earned the first save of his entire professional career while pitching for the Pirates two years ago. He entered this season still sporting that one save on his resume. After giving other arms opportunities in spring training and early in the regular season, Mackanin handed Gomez the ball and asked him to close.
Using effective off-speed pitches nearly 40% of the time, along with a fastball that rides in the low-90’s, Gomez since posted save totals that rivaled National League-leading arms. Legitimately worthy of All-Star consideration by mid-season, the easy demeanor the eleventh-year professional exhibits answers questions observers had about his success.
However, recent numbers underscore reality and common sense. During his last 15 appearances, Gomez has a 2.31 WHIP and an 11.57 ERA. During his last seven appearances, he has a 3.00 WHIP and a 15.43 ERA. Call it dead arm, or whatever, but working in high-pressure situations from spring through the fall for the first time in his career took a toll.
Mackanin recently announced that Gomez would be temporarily removed from the closer’s role. Further organizational considerations might conclude that it’s best to shut him down entirely in order to avoid the risk of injury. He’s not eligible for free agency until 2018. So, unless he’s traded or someone else takes his job, Gomez could remain the Philadelphia Phillies stopper next year.
There’s another way to put Gomez’ career efforts into perspective. By season’s end, he’ll have earned $1.4 million in salary. Ryan Howard earned approximately $1 million per each week of this season.
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Who was more valuable to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016? Hands down, it wasn’t Howard. Yet, that’s baseball.