2013 Mets: A Year to……remember?
Well, Its about that time again. Where I post a blog pertaining to the upcoming New York Mets baseball season and make some educated predictions(only in my mind) about how I think things will pan out. I used to go into a lot of detail on each team in the National league east as well. But, I’ll try to keep it short and sweet.
The Washington Nationals, last years reigning NL East champs are back, playing their final season under Davey Johnson and will have a full season from Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg. Their rotation is second to none and even improved their solid bullpen with the addition of closer Rafael Soriano. Their lineup is solid and has power as well. If it weren’t for the organizations innings limit on their ace Strasburg last season, they may have fared better against the perennial post-season attendees, the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Miami Marlins. Ummm, who are these guys anyway? This team makes the New York Mets look like their roster was picked based upon popularity. Anyway, with a rotation of Nolasco, Eovaldi, LeBlanc, Alvarez and Slowey….eh hem, a bullpen of misfits and John Maine….oh wait, I already said misfits…..and a lineup that can compete with the Long Island Ducks, sans Giancarlo Stanton(who is an absolute BEAST), not much can be expected from this team this year. Its the typical product of stripping the team to bare bones after an absolute underperforming roster of allstars they brought in a year ago.
The Atlanta Braves. This team is pretty damn solid. Especially their lineup with 5 guys capable of 25 or more homers. Their rotation is good, but there are question marks. Can Hudson stay healthy? What exactly will they get from Minor and is rookie Julio Teheran ready for the big show? He has been great in the spring, but we know that doesn’t dictate anything in regards to performance during a long regular season. There outfield Defense is strong and the infield not bad either…I mean Uggla isn’t winning any gold gloves but, well. The most positive thing I can say about Uggla’s D is that……he can hit 35 homers!
There bullpen has some familiar faces, none more important than Craig Kimbrel, who is this generation’s version of Mariano.
When all is said and done, they are built to challenge the Nats atop the NL east.
The Philadelphia Phillies. Three regulars remain from there division dominant teams of 2007-2011. But, can Utley remain healthy and be a productive hitter and fielder with his hip issues? Delmon Young begins the season on the DL. Michael young the 36 yr old right handed bat they got from Texas should help drive in some runs and benefit from the bandbox in Philly. Ryan Howard is 33 now….jeez where has the time gone? But, if he stays healthy can still produce. The rotation with Hamels, Halladay, and Cliff Lee is a great 1 thru 3 on paper, but has Halladay overcome his health issues of last year? he struggled all spring with the flu and still working on his mechanics to have a comeback season. Kyle Kendrick and Lannan are serviceable to round out the rotation. But, does this team have enough to regain its place atop the NL east it held for soo long???
The New York Mets. A solid infield defense-wise. And a decent rotation when healthy. They already lost Johan Santana for the season. Shaun Marcum, is trying to put a healthy season together to become marketable again. When he’s right, he is very good. Johnathan Niese will get the ball opening day against the Padres, followed by Matt Harvey’s first full season in the league. Then comes Dillon Gee and Jeremy Heffner. Bobby Parnell will be getting the ball in the ninth inning and they have brought in some inexpensive, but experienced relief pitchers to mix in with youth from within the organization such as Josh Edgin. The outfield??? well, they signed Marlon Byrd who feels he has something to prove after being banned 50 games last year, for failing leagues PED banned substance list. A mix of Colin Cowgill, Jordany Valdespin and Kirk Nieuwenhuis in center and Lucas Duda in left. Please, easy on the enthusiasm! Needless-to-say this group wont be filming any, “we’ve got the teamwork to make the dreamwork” this year unless, youre dreams are rather uninspiring and provoke a heartbeat, one-notch above flatlining.
One more year of this and then, the ownership is to begin spending more, more, more……….intelligently, thanks to Sandy Alderson. But, for now as a fan, I am only interested in seeing Matt Harvey pitch a full season, Zach Wheeler arrive in June or July and pitch 100 or so innings and Travis D’Arneau come up in May and inject some positivity and talent into this team. And when this happens, hopefully even those who have lowered expectations and limited dreams may too, get excited again!
2013 National League East…….W….L….GB
Washington Nationals…………94…68…_
Atlanta Braves………………….89…73…5
Philadelphia Phillies………..84…78..10
New York Mets……………….71…91..23
Miami Marlins……………….61..101..33
If, If, If…
With 25 days until the season opener in Miami, the New York Mets are playing out their spring exhibition season like everybody else, looking to see who should be brought up North or actually South this year to make the final cut.
Despite all the attention ownership is receiving about their financial woes and past investments, the team has been playing daily, without any major injuries under new management and coaching staff.
The Mets are hoping to fly under the radar this season as nobody is expecting big things with a team relying on a handful of ifs. The rotation will not be headed by Johan Santana for the first time in four years, relying instead on last years 15 game winner Mike Pelfrey to be their number 1, followed by R.A Dickey, Jonathan Neise, Chris Young and Chris Capuano. R.A. Dickey was a pleasant surprise last year winning 11 games and a sub 3.00 ERA. Neise first full year in the bigs was a good one, however the last month he wore down and had an era over 7.00. Young and Capuano were low risk pick-ups in the off season hoping to eat innings and provide some leadership. Both, have been allstars in the past before arm issues plagued them.
The lineup looks rather solid,”If” Beltran can play a full season on his ailing knees. “If” Jason Bay can bounce back from a late summer concussion and be the hitter they signed for 4yrs/ 65 million. “If” Jose Reyes can remain healthy in his walk year and be the base threat that he has been in the past. And “if” they can find the second baseman who can get the job done defensively, which is currently a battle between Luis Castillo, Daniel Murphy, Justin Turner and rule V draft Brad Emaus.
The bullpen…well, we will see how that pans out. They do still have Frankie Rodriguez closing games at the moment. Will he make over 55 appearances putting into effect the $17 million dollars he would be due? Does Reyes get traded if he is having a great season, so the Mets can get something in return?
I think alot has to go right this season for the Mets to be a considered a wild card team. They arent even the 3rd best team in their division. Does the new manager Terry Collins keep the team motivated and hold the team’s collective ear? Can Josh Thole become the every day catcher the Mets believe he will?
Anyway, as a die hard Mets fan, I know that alot is expected to happen for this team to be competitive longer than just the All Star break.
Prediction for 2011: fourth place 82-80
Beltran the right move for 2011
This morning Terry Collins and Carlos Beltran agreed upon Angel Pagan as being the everyday centerfielder. This move should help keep Beltran’s bat in the lineup longer this year and possibly assist in extending his career. Beltran is in the final year of his 7 year contract signed with the Mets in the offseason before 2005.
Rightfield at Citifield is not routine by any means with angled outfield walls that vary in height and the extremely limited foul territory. There is plenty of field to roam in the gap but with Pagan in center, the gaps will be shrunk some.
With a healthy Beltran, Jose Reyes and Jason Bay along with David Wright and sophomore year from Ike Davis the Mets are leaning heavy on this lineup to produce in order to have any chance of improving on last year’s 79-83 mark.
Two weeks until Pitchers & catchers…………….show up?
Its February 1st and pitchers and catchers report in 2 weeks at Port St. Lucie for spring training 2011. The Mets ownership is in the headlines these days moreso than the team. Friday, Fred Wilpon stated that they are looking to take on a partner or two, to buy roughly 25% of the team. This, due to their relationship with convicted ponsey scheemer Bernie Madoff and their apparent successful investments with this felon and their suspiscious selling off shares a few weeks before Madoff was taken down….generally speaking.
New York Mets GM Sandy Alderson has said this situation will have no bearing on his job. The Wilpon’s continue their mantra how none of this will affect future signings along with all other baseball operations and to continue to run the organization,”first class”.
Alderson has already stated that the Mets payroll at roughly 150 million is a higher than they would like to be operating at. So does this mean beginning in 2012(the same year according to the Mayan calender the world will end)that the Mets will not go out and aggressively pursue free agents? If they spend less and spend smart, ok i can deal with that. But, I dont want to see the Mets lose out on free agents because the Braves and Phillies out bid them.
Anyway, maybe this distraction will take any attention, off of the team this year as they try to compete with a rotation that has a few questions at the very least. Carlos Beltran hoping to have a healthy walk year, Jason Bay’s return from a concussion that shortened his difficult first year. And at some point for sure, bidding adieu to Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez(together making 18 million this year).
Jose Reyes is playing out an 11 million option year….will he A. be traded in season to a contender? B.stay for the duration,C. stay healthy or D. have a career year? Well its early yet…the team could actually improve on last seasons 79-83 record. Frankie Rodriguez has a 17.5 million option year for 2012 if he makes a certain amount of appearances this season with a 3.5 million dollar buy-out, so you know the Mets will use him sparingly or trade him during the season. So does Bobby Parnell step up from set up man this year? Does he do the job as set up man this year? Alot of questions going in…So Please stay tuned to upcoming Blogs.
Postseason is Here!….but, not for Mets fans
Well 4 straight seasons now since the Mets last appeared in the post season. While the Phillies and Braves from the NL East get to continue their season with hopes of a ring, the pretenders have gone home to their families to ponder 2010….for a few minutes anyway. The Wilpons on Monday fired their manager of the past 2-1/2 years Jerry Manuel and released GM Omar Minaya.
The organization has roughly the rest of the month to find replacements, that will hopefully reinvigorate the franchise which has known utter disappointment since the last pitch of 2006. The Wilpon’s say the new GM will have full autonomy in running the team, but that also means he will have to run everything through the Wilpons before he can pull the trigger. I dont know who the Mets should get as GM. It has been reported that they have allready narrowed it down to roughly 7 candidates. I know that i like Bobby Valentine and/or Wally Backman as the manager or a similar alternative. Their is some young talent in this organization as seen by the likes of Ruben Tejada, Josh Thole, John Niese, Ike Davis, Dillon Gee and even Lucas Duda.
I would not be objectionable to trading either of their”core” players. Wright is a relative bargain at this time and Reyes has an option for $11 million in 2011. Can Reyes remain healthy? or can they get some proven infielder along with some young arms in return? Beltran’s value is low, so the Mets are on the hook for his $18.5 million next year, but may get some takers if he gets off to a fast start and proves to be healthy. 2011 is his walk year. They need some talented run producers that play the game right and are relentless in their efforts to win….you know, kinda like Wally Backman. Its too soon to know how this whole thing pans out. The pitching did well last year, but they could definitely use another reliable starter…maybe John Maine? hahahaha Just kidding. All options should be explored and hopefully next season can be a step in the right direction in turning this sinking ship around.
It was fun while it lasted…
It was a fun ride…up until the all-star break. The Mets were 2-1/2 games behind the first place Braves and leaving many fans thinking this will be a fun summer after all. But, coming into the second half they had a 11 game west coast trip which is always difficult. But, most of the time good teams are able to keep afloat and win a few on these trips. Well, the Mets did win few…as in 2. A 2-9 road trip was the beginning of the end for this team. As it was also the beginning of the end of offense for this team as well.
Ahh, if only they could find a Delorean and convert it into a time machine, get it up to 88 mph( or the speed of a Santana fastball) go back in time and bring back their bats from the first half of the season. One can only dream what September would have been. Their pitching has been really good for the most part …
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NL | 76 | 58 | 3.37 | 134 | 1 | 16 | 38 | 51 | 1210.1 | 1062 | 477 | 453 | 117 | 25 | 426 | 1089 | |
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NL | 70 | 63 | 3.49 | 133 | 6 | 13 | 27 | 36 | 1195.1 | 1159 | 517 | 464 | 111 | 44 | 389 | 894 | |
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NL | 79 | 57 | 3.51 | 136 | 2 | 7 | 35 | 51 | 1207.1 | 1101 | 515 | 471 | 99 | 41 | 425 | 1006 | |
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NL | 75 | 61 | 3.67 | 136 | 5 | 11 | 46 | 61 | 1227.2 | 1125 | 532 | 500 | 119 | 44 | 514 | 1094 | |
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NL | 66 | 70 | 3.71 | 136 | 7 | 18 | 31 | 45 | 1216.0 | 1229 | 543 | 501 | 115 | 37 | 451 | 946 | |
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NL | 78 | 58 | 3.75 | 136 | 12 | 17 | 32 | 49 | 1225.1 | 1192 | 549 | 511 | 145 | 47 | 339 | 975 | |
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NL | 68 | 66 | 3.95 | 134 | 4 | 14 | 31 | 54 | 1191.2 | 1173 | 581 | 523 | 106 | 43 | 431 | 989 | |
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NL | 69 | 67 | 3.99 | 136 | 3 | 15 | 33 | 48 | 1212.2 | 1113 | 582 | 538 | 112 | 51 | 457 | 1052 | |
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NL | 79 | 56 | 4.04 | 135 | 4 | 9 | 38 | 51 | 1213.1 | 1185 | 576 | 545 | 135 | 44 | 445 | 898 | |
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NL | 63 | 72 | 4.09 | 135 | 4 | 8 | 36 | 48 | 1201.1 | 1220 | 609 | 546 | 109 | 32 | 446 | 981 | |
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NL | 71 | 64 | 4.10 | 135 | 6 | 12 | 29 | 48 | 1201.2 | 1154 | 589 | 547 | 107 | 44 | 442 | 1004 | |
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NL | 58 | 78 | 4.24 | 136 | 2 | 4 | 33 | 51 | 1200.2 | 1243 | 638 | 565 | 122 | 35 | 434 | 886 | |
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NL | 59 | 77 | 4.37 | 136 | 1 | 7 | 29 | 43 | 1205.2 | 1217 | 676 | 586 | 136 | 50 | 500 | 1074 | |
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NL | 62 | 73 | 4.90 | 135 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 48 | 1198.2 | 1285 | 716 | 653 | 155 | 46 | 504 | 1041 | |
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NL | 56 | 80 | 4.97 | 136 | 3 | 3 | 26 | 47 | 1208.0 | 1297 | 727 | 667 | 176 | 47 | 470 | 914 | |
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NL | 45 | 90 | 5.21 | 135 | 1 | 5 | 26 | 41 | 1174.1 | 1321 | 737 | 680 | 151 | 54 | 450 | 844 | |
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and still leading the league in Shutouts. But, it is all but a memory now, what could have been. The remaining 26 games will be experimenting and injecting the youth into playing out the season and seeing what their young talent has to offer. And with the start of spring training for 2011 roughly 5 months away, another chapter of Mets baseball comes to an end as well. With Jerry Manuel certainly leaving and a possibilty of Omar as well the Mets will look to redefine themselves… hopefully into a winning team, that plays fundamentally sound baseball and relentless desire to win at all costs. That would be something the Fans could get behind. The starting rotation has held its own this season and hopefully, Jason Bay can rebound after getting his first year at Citifield out of the way. And please, bring in some players with the will to do what it takes to win…you know GAMERS ? I think Wally Backman would fit the mold of the leader the fans want and someone the players will respect and follow. Until then, it is fun to see the teams that are playing their *** off to get to the postseason…these are the teams do what it takes and lay it on the line every day. |
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57-57 more of the same…
Well at 9 games back of first and 7-1/2 out from the wild-card, things dont look good for the remainder of this season. The Mets have had hot streaks and very cold streaks and have pretty much been what their record indicates….a.500 team. Now, with K-rod being arrested on charges of beating his fiance’s father on top of a evergrowing cold offense, along with unspirited play the season which gave hope, has faded. If they have another hot streak in them perhaps a wild card chance but, the starting pitching would have to continue its fine work and the offense would have to wake up to bail out their relief pitching. I am going to the Mets/Phils game tonite, but it has lost some of its punch that i was hoping for when i got the tix 3 months ago….waaaaa. Atleast its Latin Night!!!!!
2011 motto…WE BELIEVE IN NEW MANAGEMENT!
Do the Mets have enough for the long haul of 2010?
July 7, 2010. With the All-star break less than a week away, the Mets find themselves still in the thick of the hunt for the division lead. Before the season began, the general consensus had them pegged as a .500 team. Their pitching was suspect, but their offense was expected to keep them afloat, including an expected return of Carlos Beltran at the beginning of May.
Today, despite the absence of Beltran and a slow start by the offense, timely and effective starting pitching the Mets find themselves 10 games above .500(47-37) and 2 games behind the division leading Braves. The Braves pitching has been superb all the way around and the comeback season from Troy Glaus as well as a solid first half by rookie sensation Jayson Heyward and Martin Prado have led the offensive charge. The Phillies have been fighting injuries the whole first half and will have to endure an a lengthy DL stint by Chase Utley until September.
Though the Mets have received some great performances from R.A Dickey (6-1) and Hisanori Takahashi (7-3) their relief loses some length with both as starters. Jonothan Niese (6-2) going into tonight, has been solid and appears to improve with each outing. Pelfrey has hit a rough patch the past 3 starts but is (10-3) so far which tells you why the Mets have been successful. Johan Santana(6-5) has given up 1 run in his last two starts covering 16 innings and appearing comfortable again since surgery last year. With Beltran’s pending return following the break, the bench gets stronger with Angel Pagan(.300) and Jeff Francoeur splitting time in rightfield.
Will this be enough for the Mets to make a playoff run? If they go after Cliff Lee they will certainly have to give up prospects and he will still, be a free agent in the fall. If the Mets could hold onto Neise who is a rookie still, then any of the other prospects would have to be considered viable chips(Mejia, Thole, Martinez , or Tejada).Will Johan be the dominant second half pitcher his resume indicates he’ll be? Does Pelfrey get back on track and does Niese continue to grow as a solid young lefthander? As presently constituted, i think the Mets need more relief pitching to get to the wildcard and I am sure the Mets are looking and listening to the rumors and seeing what is available. I would welcome Cliff Lee with arms wide open, but then you better be the team to lock him up in the winter,
Who knows? It has been fun so far and with 78 games to go…anything can happen!
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