New York Mets

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The New York Mets had a disasterous season, losing 91 games. Some of the veterans on the club convinced the higher-ups that the team was in a position to contend, and the club traded several prospects for mediocre players. Out went Scott Kazmir and Justin Huber, and in came Victor Zambrano and Kris Benson. The infusion of veteran pitching talent boosted the club, as they posted a 22-37 record after July 31. Met fans were outraged at the trades.

 

The Mets finally fired GM Steve Phillips, and hired Omar Minaya. The club went out this offseason and signed the two best free agents on the market, outfielder Carlos Beltran and pitcher Pedro Martinez. While these signings do not represent a complete makeover for the Mets, they do represent an outreach of good faith by the team towards the fans.

 

The bullpen is often criticized, but the Mets finished seventh in the NL in bullpen ERA, ahead of Houston and Florida. However, the Mets traded away Mike Stanton for Felix Heredia, and lost Ricky Bottalico to free agency. Orber Moreno will miss at least half the season due to injury, and John Franco is gone (albeit mercifully). The Mets will need their second line relievers to step up. There is some good talent in that group, but it is an issue.

 

The rotation seems impressive at first glance, but it presents its own problems. I think Pedro Martinez will dominate. Tom Glavine is skating the line, as he is nearing the end of his career. Kris Benson has never been more than average since returning from arm surgery. Zambrano walks nearly as many batters as he strikes out, and he doesn't have a great K rate that hurlers such as Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson had. Steve Trachsel's peripherals have slipped, and he's below average as well. This rotation could easily collapse.

 

The lineup is solid, provided they stay healthy. Mike Cameron will likely miss April to injury. Cliff Floyd usually misses 30-40 games a season. Jose Reyes missed significant time last season. Mike Piazza is a 36 year old catcher. There are still some issues here.

 

Pedro Martinez makes an upgrade over Al Leiter, but since Leiter posted a 3.21 ERA last season, it might not make a big difference. Carlos Beltran does make a HUGE upgrade over Richard Hidalgo and Karim Garcia.

 

Honestly, I just can't see this team winning the NL East without a great deal of luck.

[DerangedHermit 0]

The Mets finally fired GM Steve Phillips, and hired Omar Minaya.

Correction: They demoted Jim Duquette (who had gotten the job after Phillips was fired in 2003).

 

I think the Mets will finish third, ahead of the Phillies and Nats but behind the Braves and Marlins. If they're lucky, they may get the NL WC (but I don't see them beating whoever's in 1st in the NL East - which I think will be the Marlins)

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

My mistake.

[Styles 0]

PROJECTED LINEUP

 

1. Jose Reyes SS

2. Kazuo Matsui 2B

3. Carlos Beltran CF

4. Mike Piazza C

5. Cliff Floyd LF

6. David Wright 3B

7. Doug Mientkiewicz 1B

8. Mike Cameron RF

 

Rotation

1. P. Martinez

2. T. Glavine

3. K. Benson

4. S. Trachsel

5. V. Zambrano

 

The Mets remind me so much of the Orioles circa 98/99. Recently competed with top veterans, who became injured/unerachieved and so the solution is to spend money on more aging players (Beltran exception) and trade away prospects for the hope of competing quickly again. It aint gonna happen. I almost expect half of this team to be on the DL for a good part of the season. Pedro is going to breakdown, I can feel it, Glavine has been largely a bust, Benson is a sub .500 pitcher being paid top money, and Traschsel and Zambrano are thouroughly average. I hope the Mets have some pitching depth.

All negativity aside though, if the team can stay healthy and perform up to their capabilities, they do have a chance to be pretty good, but even so, in a stacked division like the NL East I can't see them any higher then 3rd place.

Carlos Beltran is in for a long 7 years...

[Styles 0]

Oh for you Mets fans on right now, MLB.com radio is live from the Mets ST camp talking with Willie Randolph, Tom Glavine, David Wright and others. I'm listening because both the O's and Nats ST games have been rained out...

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp

[strummer 0]

Carlos Beltran is in for a long 7 years...

 

As opposed to all those great years with the Royals

 

 

The pitching doesn't scare me that much this year, but in the next couple years, it could get bad, especially if Petit and Humber aren't ready. It looks as if Trachsel's 2003 season was indeed a fluke, as his peripherals were awful last year. Zambrano has GREAT STUFF, but he can't throw strikes, so it makes it a mute point. Although he does have a tremendous record against NL teams. Benson can look dominant in some starts and then cannot get any outs in his next. I don't know how many starters can "Harness their stuff" and turn it around, but maybe Benson and Zambrano can

[Styles 0]

Carlos Beltran is in for a long 7 years...

 

As opposed to all those great years with the Royals

 

 

He should have stayed with Houston, but I guess money talks, that's the way it goes...

[Precious Roy 0]

I think this team is right there with Atlanta and Florida. I really like their lineup, lots of speed and some good sluggers, Wright is going to be great, Matsui should improve on last year's numbers, and if Reyes can stay healthy he's a difference maker. Reyes' health, Piazza's durability and the middle relievers are the real keys here, but I see just as many question marks with ATL and Florida. I also think Willie Randolph is going to do a great job keeping everyone motivated.

 

Luck is going to decide the NL East IMO, and the Mets are probably due for some.

[Guest Mosaicv2]

I think this team is right there with Atlanta and Florida. I really like their lineup, lots of speed and some good sluggers, Wright is going to be great, Matsui should improve on last year's numbers, and if Reyes can stay healthy he's a difference maker. Reyes' health, Piazza's durability and the middle relievers are the real keys here, but I see just as many question marks with ATL and Florida. I also think Willie Randolph is going to do a great job keeping everyone motivated.

 

Luck is going to decide the NL East IMO, and the Mets are probably due for some.

Finally... a Yankee fan I agree with it!

[strummer 0]

Steve Trachsel is out for 6 months with a herniated disc in his back. Hopefully Omar looks for another starter via trade because Matt Ginter, Jae Seo, and Aaron Heilman are all well below average.