 In my opinion, The Mets will be out of the race come the All-Star Break. It pains me to say that. I don’t consider myself a Chicken Little Mets fan and I would like to think that I’m a rational minded individual but with the rash of injuries and with the way the baseball season (162 games) is setup, we won’t hang with the big boys for long.
  The Mets have to be given credit though. We are definitely overachieving and we are still a winning team; for how long, I’m not so confident.  Over the past few weeks the Mets have put in gutsy performances without 2 of the core players, Delgado and Reyes. Ollie, Putz and now Maine are on the DL and Beltran, Church & Schneider have missed extended periods of time.
 Let’s take a look at this month and see how we’ve faired thus far. We are currently 3-6. We were swept by the hapless Pirates, barely got out of Washington winning the series (FYI – If Wright is correctly called out instead of safe at 3rd base in Friday night’s game we lose 1-0) and we lost a tough series to our rivals. In regards to the Phillies series, we played our hearts out and fell short. Still though, could our lineup consisting of Cora, FMart, & Tatis really matchup against the Phillies? I understand that all it would take is one swing and the outcomes would have been totally different but what were the odds of us prevailing?
 Cora – An adequate infielder, but do you feel confident with him manning SS until(If Ever) Reyes gets back?
 Sheffield – Gotta love him and he’s done more than we could’ve hoped for but how long before he just fizzles out like a deflated pigskin? He’s already been bothered by his knee while his numbers have also dropped considerably.Â
 Tatis – Seems to have come down to Earth from last year’s magical season. Is it just a funk right now? Maybe he needs more playing time? Or perhaps there’s a reason he was out of baseball in 2007 and also missing the 2004 & 2005 season?
Murphy – Has turned into a part time player. He is only hitting .242 in 157abs. He also doesn’t seem as disciplined at the plate as he once was. Does he need to man 1st base on a daily basis? Maybe this is the type of play to expect from him? GKR the other night did say that rookies either come out blazing or real cold.
 What do you guys think? Can we hang on?  If not can we match up with the Brewers, Cubs, Giants etc for a WC? Â
 Below are a few options I had written about in a post regarding an SI article a couple days ago…
 Yes, I know all the talk about Holliday’s numbers from past years being jacked up due to playing in Colorado, hell, Im pretty sure if my grandmother exercised more she could pop a few out to the stands there, but he is still a potent bat. He made the transition to McAfee Coliseum in Oakland and though his homerun numbers dont make you rub your eyes, there’s still no one on the Mets who has more than him. Holliday is hitting .279 with 8hrs(T-Beltran) and 37rbi’s(More than ANY Met)
 DeRosa is extremely versatile. In the past 2 years, he’s played every position except center field, and catcher. He would be most valuable for this team. His offensive numbers arent too bad either. He’s hitting .267 with 10 homeruns
Hawpe’s numbers speak for themselves. He’s playing in Colorado where the frail feel like Superman but his homerun numbers arent even what stands out for him. He drives runs in (43) and can hit the gaps (17 doubles). Not to mention he’s on my fantasy squad, so that should count for somethin right?
 Â
70 comments
prismo
6/12/2009-12:03pm at 12:03 pm (UTC -4)
They can hang out! YOU GOTTA BELIEVE!
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-12:09pm at 12:09 pm (UTC -4)
Holliday’s splits in Coors lessened every year of his career….he might be the only real non-pitcher who is gettable and would make a big difference.
QnsNative718
6/12/2009-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
He’s still putting up good numbers in Oakland of all places. Hasnt been a complete flop. Has more rbi’s than any of our boys.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, and his numbers are after a horrible start…in Citi he sure would hit a lot of doubles…and he steals bases too.
There's Always '09
6/12/2009-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
OK, as long as you’re ready to part with FMart and Holt.
QnsNative718
6/12/2009-12:53pm at 12:53 pm (UTC -4)
Holliday is only 29 yrs old. We’re not talking about an old guy here.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-12:56pm at 12:56 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, based on his comeback with a bad team this year, and based on his age and how much his splits improved every year at Coors, if Beane will give us a negotiating window a la what we had with Johan, we really have to VERY seriously consider this.
QnsNative718
6/12/2009-1:01pm at 1:01 pm (UTC -4)
Brock, can you imagine a lineup of:
Cora (IF healthy)
Castillo
Beltran
Holliday
Wright
Sheff
Church
Santos
And when/if Reyes and Delgado get back…Man…
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-1:02pm at 1:02 pm (UTC -4)
That would be great….I really could see Wright hitting 2nd, the way he is playing this year.
And our pen should be good.
Now, if we can get by with Johan, Pelf, and three number 5s, we may have something going!
GravediggerHebner
6/12/2009-12:14pm at 12:14 pm (UTC -4)
Of Cora, Sheffield, Tatis and Murphy the one that I do have confidence in is Cora. He is a solid pro who plays the game the right way and always has his head in the game. With his 3 consecutive advancements of runners last night he again demonstrated he is familiar with and embraces the team concept.
Sheff, being 40 and injured perhaps has already given us all he can. It was a nice, but short, ride, I can see it being over.
Tatis I can see continuing to have his moments but more likely if he is utilized as a back up. For the moment he seems to be starting at 1B, I don’t think that’s ideal.
Murphy, either start the kid for 9 of 10 games in stretch at 1B, or decide he’s not the answer (at least right now) and try something else. The waffling isn’t helping anyone.
As far as outside help, it’s still 6 weeks or so til the trade deadline, I think the sellers hold all the cards right now and even Omar’s biggest critics should appreciate that. There’s not much he can do just yet. Plus given his in-season trade history, there’s not much to expect he will do as the deadline gets closer. I envision a marginal acquisition at best, and a fervent hope by the organization (if not it’s fans) that Reyes and Delgado come back on time and in shape to contribute.
QnsNative718
6/12/2009-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
I agree about Murph. This flip flopping doesnt help him, but the fact that the Mets faced 3 lefties in a row had to do with him sitting down. Still though, the sitting will not do him any good.
GravediggerHebner
6/12/2009-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
I agree, but if he is the possible 1B of the future they should probably play him against lefties now to enhance the growth.
dirtysanchez
6/12/2009-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
i agree with this but for some reason jerry believes he sould be in a platoon. Ridiculous….
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
Murphy needs to go down, and the sooner the better. He is losing the patience and batting eye we saw last year. He needs to go to the minors before whatever potential he has is ruined.
QnsNative718
6/12/2009-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
For arguement’s sake… What if Murphy isnt that good? Rookies tend to come out of the gates on hot tears or ice cold and over matched. Maybe the pitchers have caught on to Murph and he can’t seem to catch onto the pitchers?
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-12:37pm at 12:37 pm (UTC -4)
Very possible….but the way he looks now, seems as though he is not going to improve at this level anytime soon…
CaseStreet
6/12/2009-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
We can hang on. Play .500 ball till trade deadline.
Then we get reinforcements either by trade or players coming off the DL.
We went +7 during April and May.
We should be able to play .500 ball.
Remember, it’s not like we got spanked by the Phils.
It took two HR’s and two extra inning games to beat our crippled Mets.
You gotta believe in .500 ball.
dirtysanchez
6/12/2009-12:27pm at 12:27 pm (UTC -4)
agreed case. I understand the concern but in no way shape or form are we out of this yet. If we are 4 back by the ASB we should be ok. This team has some life to it. What concerns me is the manager making stupid decisions that cost games. He needs to read stats. No reason to throw taka into last nights game.
saltygary
6/12/2009-12:32pm at 12:32 pm (UTC -4)
Dams straight. Manuel’s poor decisions with the bullpen has been costing us much more then the players have. Redding finally puts in a really strong performance and it was ruined by a guy that is statistically know to not get lefties out.
darknova306
6/12/2009-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
The managerial decisions, baserunning blunders, and poor play in the field will make it extremely unlikely that we stay 4 back until the ASB. Keep in mind, the Phillies play much better baseball than we do, so even playing .500 ball won’t keep us less than 8 games back by the ASB.
QnsNative718
6/12/2009-12:41pm at 12:41 pm (UTC -4)
That’s exactly why we we’ll be out of the race come the ASB. And the fact that we’re basically hoping for Delgado and Reyes to come back and be able to contribute the way we know they can scares me, because it is very likely they just wont be the same player, take a while to get in gear, or get hurt again.
dirtysanchez
6/12/2009-12:42pm at 12:42 pm (UTC -4)
i dont think we will be 8 games back…even if we are by teh asb…wont be insurmountable imo…
darknova306
6/12/2009-12:52pm at 12:52 pm (UTC -4)
The problem there is that you’re relying on the fact that we’ll get healthy/productive versions of Reyes and Delgado back by August. They’re gonna need time to get back into a groove, if they even come back fully healthy to begin with. I’m not optimistic about Delgado actually returning this year.
dirtysanchez
6/12/2009-12:56pm at 12:56 pm (UTC -4)
i think he will return but like you said will take some time to regain form. Same with reyes. Again i should lean to the pessimistic side considering the medical staff but if they are going to be back, they will be back. Besides i dont think their pitching will hold up and who knows who will step up against them and knock them down…atlanta…marlins…its not a lock that philly got this imo
QnsNative718
6/12/2009-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
Exactly!!!
saltygary
6/12/2009-12:29pm at 12:29 pm (UTC -4)
There isn’t a trade that can be made right now that will make that much of a difference. The team needs to hold the line and see if reinforcements return healthy and make a decision at the trade deadline to decide if to buy or sell.
Every team has us by the balls for any kind of trade. They know the team is decimated and has no leverage. They can just sit back and see how desperate Omar acts. He is making the right decision by letting the team play out right now.
QnsNative718
6/12/2009-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
Very good point about leverage. In regards to Holliday, Beane wouldn’t settle for anything less than HIS terms.
dirtysanchez
6/12/2009-12:51pm at 12:51 pm (UTC -4)
agreed salt. Omar is not in the drivers seat and wont be. Not to mention the guys we are targeting still think they are contenders or want the farm for their player because they know how desprite we are. I dont expect to see a trade anytime soon.
gipperpdx
6/12/2009-12:45pm at 12:45 pm (UTC -4)
It’s all about 2010 now. Also, anybody else concerned Reyes will revert to his early career leg issues with more time in the DL than not?
mrbill
6/12/2009-12:47pm at 12:47 pm (UTC -4)
I’d be shocked if this team makes it to the post season this year.
dirtysanchez
6/12/2009-12:50pm at 12:50 pm (UTC -4)
I still think they can do it…via WC or division, they will find a way to get it done.
GravediggerHebner
6/12/2009-12:51pm at 12:51 pm (UTC -4)
I agree Dirty. I just don’t see so much superior NL competition out there that the Mets will get buried. They should be in “realistic contention” til the end, so in that context making the playoffs can’t be considered “shocking.”
dirtysanchez
6/12/2009-12:53pm at 12:53 pm (UTC -4)
agreed. I dont think teh phills will run away with teh divivison. Im still not convinced their pitching will hold up through the year and their offense has already shown it cannot stay hot forever. Pitching is still our strong suit and that will get it done for us. Nobody in the NL is running away with this thing…we always have a shot. Like ive said many times…our record could EASILY be reversed…but its not and i think it counts for something..
mrbill
6/12/2009-1:01pm at 1:01 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah keep hoping the phillies will crack.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-1:08pm at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
I am not waiting for that. I just hope we can stay close enough to make a run.
And the WC seems VERY obtainable right now, as the West is a joke after LA, and the Central is competitive, but how good are any of those teams? I see the Cards winning, and the Brewers, Reds, and Cubs as all flawed like us. But they do not have half their players on the DL.
It looks grim, but it is FAR from over.
mrbill
6/12/2009-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
I see our point about the WC. If the only problem with the mets was injury, I’d be more optimistic. But that’s not the case.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-12:58pm at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
You are so wrong.
We are 4 games out, and a HALF game out of the WC, and it is June 12, and you are giving up?
Yeah, and I remember you posting CHOKE ROD on the other site while KRod was busy getting his first save in Cincy in April.
mrbill
6/12/2009-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
Kingman, how confident are you that the mets will sweep the Yankees this weekend or at least take 2?
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-1:07pm at 1:07 pm (UTC -4)
I feel somewhat confident that we can win 2. I really think we can beat Pettitte and Burnett. I love Sunday’s matchup, as Johan will surely be up for that game, and with how Livan has pitched, if we win tonight, we have a great shot at 2 of 3. We generally play the Yanks well.
Remember, we lost two extra inning nail-biters the last two days. It is not like we lost three (again) to the Pirates, or got blown out.
But as we have said, the baserunning errors are preventable, and must stop. And the fielders must do the very best they can to play as close to flawlessly as possible.
mrbill
6/12/2009-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
Interesting.
The way I see it the Yankees will hit livan like there’s no tomorrow (he is due to have a bad start) and you know met pitchers have the worst timing when it comes to that.
Mets will lose Sunday’s game with whoever pitches. Nieve? who? what?
The only shot they have is Sunday with Johan. However, he gives up HRs and we are talking about Yankee stadium here.
Hopefully, I am wrong.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-1:15pm at 1:15 pm (UTC -4)
Well, cannot argue too much, but the Nats do have several good hitter and Livan mowed them down. They are not the Yanks of course.
We truly need a good game from Livan here and a vintage Johan game, and we have a shot at 2 of 3.
The Phils do play the Red Sox too….
mrbill
6/12/2009-1:18pm at 1:18 pm (UTC -4)
Let’s hope the red sox don’t lose like they did when we played them.
darknova306
6/12/2009-1:18pm at 1:18 pm (UTC -4)
Johan hasn’t been sharp in a while, so expecting him to win is a stretch for me right now. I easily see us getting swept. We’re gonna get murdered tonight and tomorrow.
mrbill
6/12/2009-1:19pm at 1:19 pm (UTC -4)
NY mets weekend massacre LOL
dirtysanchez
6/12/2009-12:49pm at 12:49 pm (UTC -4)
Imo…this rash of difficulties are definalty unique and i dont remember a period like this in the last few years. Like case said, if we can just stay above water until the other guys come back, we still have a shot.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-12:59pm at 12:59 pm (UTC -4)
Yep, 1987 was the last time this happened, and as I recall, you may be a bit young to remember that….me and Grave and MetsFan4 do though!
metsfan4decades
6/12/2009-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
Oh yeah, 1987 was brutal. How many of our SP were left standing that year?
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
Not many…and when Doc was standing, he was wobbling a lot….
metsgirl31
6/12/2009-1:13pm at 1:13 pm (UTC -4)
Unfortunately I remember it too…and it was ROUGH…especially after the previous year.
dirtysanchez
6/12/2009-1:26pm at 1:26 pm (UTC -4)
lol called a spade a spade…just read about it in wiki lol.
mrbill
6/12/2009-1:05pm at 1:05 pm (UTC -4)
That’s the problem Dirty, to stay above water the team HAS to play fundamental baseball. That is the only way they can overcome the injury situation.
They have not been helping their case lately, have they?
darknova306
6/12/2009-1:13pm at 1:13 pm (UTC -4)
And our baseball fundamentals have been lousy ALL SEASON. Even when healthy.
mrbill
6/12/2009-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
True
dirtysanchez
6/12/2009-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
this i agree with. They have not played fundimental baseball AT ALL. I hope they can turn that around…they are going to have to play braves type baseball until things get better and i dont know if they got it in him. Its either they play fundimentally flawed or the manager undermines the whole thing…
Joe R
6/12/2009-1:08pm at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
Manuel on the Fan at 2pm
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
Ugh…..looking forward to folks on here reporting on the high/lowlights….
Joe R
6/12/2009-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
I hate dwelling I really really do…but imagine we won the last 2 games….our moods tied for 1st, at this point in the season with our injuries, would be through the roof!! Sorry cant get it out of my mind…now we play the Yanks..
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-1:13pm at 1:13 pm (UTC -4)
Hey Joe, I am right with you, but how about we win ONE of the last two, and just that first game in Pittsburgh where we had the 5–0 lead?!?!
Then we are 1 game out…
Did I make you feel better or worse??
Joe R
6/12/2009-1:36pm at 1:36 pm (UTC -4)
Alot worse thanks!! lol Unless we win tonight and Phils lose I wont have my heart back in it for some time. I mean Omar fixes the pen Frankie hasnt blown 1 and now the injuries and missed oppurtunities!! I cant deal with it. I hope Phils get swept by Boston which prob wont happen because Boston is set for a letdown after sweeping Yanks and the Yanks are after a win lol. Bad luck again
dirtysanchez
6/12/2009-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
not really. Boston is the most complete team in the mlb imo. They will give the phills all tehy can handle.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-1:48pm at 1:48 pm (UTC -4)
But Yanks are no gimmes either. I think Phillies have slightly better chance at winning against the BoSox than we do against the Fankees.
GravediggerHebner
6/12/2009-1:49pm at 1:49 pm (UTC -4)
Especially considering that the Phils are playing .462 ball at home (12-14) and the Sox are managed by a guy the Phils ran out of town (Francona). The Sox will be plenty motivated this weekend.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
But Sox are going to be missing Ortiz now… that’s like missing Delgado….
GravediggerHebner
6/12/2009-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
Missing Ortiz? What do you mean, is he injured?
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-2:02pm at 2:02 pm (UTC -4)
No DH
GravediggerHebner
6/12/2009-2:04pm at 2:04 pm (UTC -4)
Ahh, gotcha. I guess they might play him at 1B at some point during the series, perhaps move Youkilis to 3B and rest Lowell tomorrow (day game after night game).
metsfan4decades
6/12/2009-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
There is just no way to predict what will happen. We all have our opinions, the stats can make a case for scenario A or B, but since this is baseball, anything can happen.
Uh…who thought we would crash and burn up 7 games with 17 to go?
So…we’d have to be something like 15 back by the ASB for me to really think this season is over.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
15 back of the WC…there is no chance of that happening….
GravediggerHebner
6/12/2009-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
Yup. Even last year, the “lowest” point was 7.5 games out of 1st place, on June 13.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-1:56pm at 1:56 pm (UTC -4)
wow that’s pretty surprising. If we had 08 2nd half Delgado added to our team, we’ll be unbeatable!