Well my fellow Mets fans here we are heading down the home stretch of what has to be the longest off season known to man – or at least it feels that way ! But here were are with seven days to go until opening day and I wonder what this coming season may bring. Will it exceed all of our expectations or will we be mired in another lost season like last year. Will the core of Johan , David , Jose and Carlos bring us back into contention along with the much needed addition of Jason Bay? Or will this team crumble on the shoulders of Maine, Perez, and Pelfrey? Can Daniel Murphy prove that he will be solid as our full time first baseman? Or will Ike Davis be lurking in the wings, chomping at the proverbial bit to start his major league career ? Will this team be in the thick of a pennant race come the All Star Break? Or will Jerry and Omar be replaced with Bob and Wayne? Will Citi Field be alive with the cheering of rabid Mets fans going crazy after a momentum shifting walk off grand slam by Frenchy ? Or will it look like a open casket funeral come September with Figgy acting as a priest initiating last rites? Will this team stay healthy for a full season ? Or will Hawk-eye Pierce be named the teams new medial director ? Will this team feast? Or will it famine?
There is just seven days to go before this riddle begins to be unraveled. – Enjoy the ride my fellow Mets fans !!!
                                                                                    
                                                                  ” Just 7 more days until we get dirty !!”
And with that said ……. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!
Happy Birthday wishes go out to the one time top Mets draft pick who turned into one of the savviest G.M’s to ever work in the game , Billy Beane . (1962) Damn wouldn’t it be nice if he was our G.M.?!?
Relief pitcher from ’94-’95 , Eric Gunderson is 44. (1966)
One time five tool prospect, Alex Ochoa is 38 today.(1972)At least we got him in exchange for Bobby Bonillia !
New York Mets traded catcher J. C. Martin to the Chicago Cubs for catcher Randy Bobb on March 29, 1970.
New York Mets traded utility-man, Leo Foster to the Boston Red Sox for minor league pitcher, Jim Burton on March 29, 1978.
New York Mets released outfielder and fan favorite , Lenny Randle on March 29, 1979.
New York Mets traded minor league pitchers Jody Johnston and Steve Walker to the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfielder, Mark Bradley on March 29, 1983.
New York Mets traded pitcher Juan Acevedo to the St. Louis Cardinals for utility player, , Rigo Beltran on March 29, 1998.
New York Mets released one of the better players from those dismal mid ’90′s teams, outfielder Joe Orsulak on March 29, 1998.
New York Mets released the epitomy of bullpen suckitude, Rich Rodriguez on March 29, 2001.Mets fans everywhere were most thankful.
New York Mets signed free agent back up catcher, Kelly Stinnett on March 29, 2005
And don’t forget ( just in case you have) There are just 7 Jose Reyes days until the Mets open the 2010 season against the Florida Marlins at Citi Field.
59 comments
GravediggerHebner
3/29/2010-6:14pm at 6:14 pm (UTC -4)
All the questions you ask in your opening paragraph are precisely why I find it impossible to try to predict the NL East finishing order of teams 2-4. Each team has so many questions that could go so many different ways.
It’s one thing if Figgy makes the team next week. If he’s still around in September I will hope that means the team has done really well and there hasn’t been lots of turnover. If the team sucks by July, there seems little point in keeping him around. His roster spot would be much better used at that point by a young player getting some ML experience.
As far as Beane goes, I’m not asking because I know the answer and am trying to make a point, I’m asking because I truly don’t know, but is there any evidence that he can succeed in a scenario in which he has one of the highest payrolls in the league? I’m not sure just because in the past he’s had success with a small budget that necessarily means he could with a large one, he’d have to reinvent himself on some level. He couldn’t just trade off David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Johan Santana and Frankie Rodriguez for a bunch of 20 year olds.
rustyjr
3/29/2010-6:22pm at 6:22 pm (UTC -4)
In regards to beane we probobly never know – in regards to my first paragraph I was trying to give the feeling of the what it’s of a season
GravediggerHebner
3/29/2010-6:27pm at 6:27 pm (UTC -4)
You succeeded in giving the feeling. May Omar be as successful in figuring out the right answers to the questions as you were in asking them.
rustyjr
3/29/2010-6:30pm at 6:30 pm (UTC -4)
Thnx I consider that an honor coming from you – I wonder if kong washed and waxed the parade float
Kingman 26
3/29/2010-6:41pm at 6:41 pm (UTC -4)
The parade float is clean as can be and shiny enough for Omar to see his reflection!
But help me—I am losing faith in our pitching staff and it is March 29th!
rustyjr
3/29/2010-6:46pm at 6:46 pm (UTC -4)
Although I was considered a god among roadies – I can’t help the pitching staff lol
Kingman 26
3/29/2010-7:00pm at 7:00 pm (UTC -4)
Well, herb and Wild Turkey are a fine start.
ceetar
3/29/2010-9:41pm at 9:41 pm (UTC -4)
I had some wild turkey ice cream the other day.
metsfan4decades
3/29/2010-6:24pm at 6:24 pm (UTC -4)
Long 2009 season, very long off season and it seems like a long ST as well.
There are 7 ‘I love Jose Reyes’ days until the opener.
The only thing I can honestly predict at this point is I think I need to stock up on Rolaids, Jack D., tranqs, or whatever is going to do it for this summer and the stretch (god, I hope we’re still holding our breaths with each Sep start).
I can’t wait.
rustyjr
3/29/2010-6:28pm at 6:28 pm (UTC -4)
Pass the herb and the bottle of wild turkey
metsfan4decades
3/29/2010-7:53pm at 7:53 pm (UTC -4)
LOL – that’ll work too!
gategem
3/29/2010-6:35pm at 6:35 pm (UTC -4)
Ah, Lenny Randle, the only player that I have ever seen give a bj (to the ball) while on the field.
This year I find the NL waters somewhat murky and I won’t venture to guess the order of finish other than to say that on paper the Phillies are the class of the league. I also don’t see any team competing with the Yankees in the AL. Of course injuries could upset the apple cart and change the picture entirely. But injuries are difficult to project and I do not wish for players to get hurt.
rustyjr
3/29/2010-6:41pm at 6:41 pm (UTC -4)
You sure you ain’t mike francesa ?
gategem
3/29/2010-7:11pm at 7:11 pm (UTC -4)
One of my closest friends is an Orioles fan and he writes off the following season the day the previous season ends. But he also (sadly) agrees the Yankees are the cream of baseball. However, you don’t have to be a baseball guru or radio talk show host to recognize the depth of talent on the Yankees and to a much lesser degree on the Phillies.
Kingman 26
3/29/2010-7:14pm at 7:14 pm (UTC -4)
Very true, but at least the Phils have done it with scouting and excellent pickups, and not solely by outspending, as has become the Yankee way in the 21st century.
Hazmet
3/29/2010-7:26pm at 7:26 pm (UTC -4)
But are the Yanks the cream of baseball, or the clear? Oh sorry we’ve moved past that and onto HGH nowadays…
My apologies, I had to.
rustyjr
3/29/2010-7:29pm at 7:29 pm (UTC -4)
Ask arod, pettite, Clemens, justice, Sheffield , hill, Stanton etc
Hazmet
3/29/2010-7:31pm at 7:31 pm (UTC -4)
I get whistful and misty thinking of the good ‘ol days in the ’80′s when they did it all with Coke & Speed.
rustyjr
3/29/2010-7:35pm at 7:35 pm (UTC -4)
Hernandez Willie Wilson Steve Howe doc Darryl etc
CaseStreet
3/29/2010-7:49pm at 7:49 pm (UTC -4)
Never fear. Luis Castillo will carry the team.
Castillo for MVP!
Seriously, it boils down to MOP (i.e., John Maine Concern)
saltygary
3/29/2010-7:52pm at 7:52 pm (UTC -4)
He was last years MVP, no reason why he can’t go back-to-back.
rustyjr
3/29/2010-7:54pm at 7:54 pm (UTC -4)
Well we will need slappy to have the same time of season lime he had last season – with less sac bunting and dropped pop ups but mop will have to step up I think neise pitched well – he underminEd himself with the fielding errors
saltygary
3/29/2010-7:52pm at 7:52 pm (UTC -4)
I was at a game against the Marlins in 1995 and Joe Orsulak drove in the game tying and winning run in the bottom of the ninth. All fifty of us in the stadium cheered like no one has ever cheered before.
metsfan4decades
3/29/2010-7:54pm at 7:54 pm (UTC -4)
Oh, man…
Let us never return to those days.
rustyjr
3/29/2010-7:57pm at 7:57 pm (UTC -4)
What was lAst year then my dear lol – damn I figured I’d get some props for my snarky rich rodriguez comment lol
Hazmet
3/29/2010-8:04pm at 8:04 pm (UTC -4)
To paraphrase Beningo “too much pain, bro”
Rich Rodriguez, man that’s a name I tried to forget.
rustyjr
3/29/2010-8:06pm at 8:06 pm (UTC -4)
You
mean Steve Phillips best friend & former roommate lol
Hazmet
3/29/2010-8:09pm at 8:09 pm (UTC -4)
OMG I forgot that connection, Rich must have had the grainy old 8mm of Stevie in action.
asod75
3/29/2010-11:03pm at 11:03 pm (UTC -4)
Rich Rodriguez had to be the worst reliever ever to wear a Mets uniform, and there have been some true winners over the years. Nepotism at its worst….
Hazmet
3/29/2010-8:25pm at 8:25 pm (UTC -4)
I really should be over it but watching Doc on the Hill in the ’86 replay of the clincher against the cubbies just breaks the heart to think of what might have been. Good luck Doc and count your blessings nobody was seriously hurt last week.
stickguy
3/29/2010-9:45pm at 9:45 pm (UTC -4)
I wrote a big long comment on this, and the damned internet went down (thanks, Comcast!) and ate it.
but, short version, I am taking the optimist role. The team, if it can achieve at least a normal amount of health (reyes back week 1, beltran by may 1, and no other huge losses other than say maine for 1-2 months) will be fine. it is way better than I think many people are giving it credit for.
The SP seems to be the weak link, but I think they will be somewhere between adequate and pretty good. So if the offense and pen hold up, they will be right in the mix for the playoffs. Certainly as good as the 2007 and 2008 clubs, but probably better overall.
I go with ~90+/- wins, and at least a WC appearance.
ceetar
3/29/2010-9:51pm at 9:51 pm (UTC -4)
It’s fair. As I’ve been saying, this offense is very very good. Sure, Francoeur could be a black hole, but Fernando Martinez could replace that. This team led the league in runs scored, even last year they had near the tops in batting average. They _will_ win games based on offense, and while MOP may not be consistent, they’re all capable of spinning the occasional gem, plus average games where the offense wins it, they’ll be in most games.
GravediggerHebner
3/29/2010-10:05pm at 10:05 pm (UTC -4)
I 100% agree with your assessment that “this team _will_score runs.” Absolutely.
But (you knew it was coming) for that to be a truly worthwhile thing, the bullpen is going to have to be very good. The more this bullpen works out to resemble the 2006 team bullpen, the better year 2010 will be. A healthy Calero and a healthy Escobar, plus a decent long reliever, combined with the relative sure things that are KRod and Petey F will go a long way.
stickguy
3/29/2010-10:29pm at 10:29 pm (UTC -4)
Or everts finally clicks. or Parnell graduates from finishing school and comes back up. Or holt makes a surprise appearance. Or of course Mejia.
But, starting with whatever 7 are in the pen sure doesn’t mean that they end up with them.
stickguy
3/29/2010-10:22pm at 10:22 pm (UTC -4)
people I think forget how potent this offense can be, especially with Reyes back, and for sure with Beltran too.
even with my known distaste for slappy, he serves an (OBP) purpose. And if he is getting on base at close to .400 again (could happen I guess!) the Mets top 5 are pretty much as good as any team overall. And that leaves murphy, barajas and frenchy in the bottom 3rd, where they stack up well against other teams 6-8. So yes, they will score runs.
also nice that their 2 best, most ready prospects (that realistically could have made the team) play positions that you worry about the incumbent at, plus they are the 6 and 7 place hitters. So, if your prospects are for real, more upside.
trs86
3/29/2010-10:49pm at 10:49 pm (UTC -4)
No reason to think Slappy won’t continue to have an OBP near his career average .370.
asod75
3/29/2010-11:05pm at 11:05 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, as much as I hate the guy, he is an OBP machine. Saw several spring training games and his gimpiness in the field makes you all the more glad Reyes is coming back. And as much as Murph gets slammed, he’s got pretty good range over at first (as does Davis whenever he takes over), helping mask Slappy’s lack of range.
stickguy
3/29/2010-9:49pm at 9:49 pm (UTC -4)
also, for a philly perspective, their was a big preview in today’s philly paper. One of the pieces boiled down to that all their issues (BP guys hurt, Ibanez below .100, hamels lousy) don’t matter, because they are so good, and such winners, etc. Like they repealed the laws of physics just for them.
At least one of the writers was smart enough to ask if the team (and fans) were too overconfident and with a sense of entitlement.
basically, they have become yankee fans.
GravediggerHebner
3/29/2010-10:02pm at 10:02 pm (UTC -4)
Somewhat related, FanGraphs is doing a series ranking organizations going forward. They are very specific about the “going forward” aspect, so teams get essentially no credit for what they may have done recently. It’s all crystal ball, no review.
And the Phils are ranked 9th, for having an excellent team currently but one that is old with poor depth and has few obvious replacements coming. So just when I was feeling pretty good about that, I got to the last sentence which is (roughly) “if the Phils aren’t careful they will become a lot like the current Mets.”
stickguy
3/29/2010-10:35pm at 10:35 pm (UTC -4)
the phils are really the win now team. Very short window, much more so than the mets (assuming that the mets extend reyes and wright at some point). Yes, the Phils have had 2 good years, but like with fangraphs, looking forward, how much longer will it go?
The phils key core is a lot older that the Mets core.
Things change in BB pretty quick. Top teams go from pending dynasty to also ran laughingstock almost overnight sometimes.
ceetar
3/29/2010-10:37pm at 10:37 pm (UTC -4)
The Phillies have been on top of the mountain for a couple of seasons, just waiting for the Mets to push.
stickguy
3/29/2010-11:05pm at 11:05 pm (UTC -4)
you know what happens when you reach the top of the mountain. You fall down the other side. even without a push.
metsfan4decades
3/29/2010-11:23pm at 11:23 pm (UTC -4)
I knew there was a reason I can’t stand them AND their fans.
I would dearly love the opportunity to comment, concerning them, ‘oh, how the mighty have fallen’.
Look for it towards mid Sept….
stickguy
3/29/2010-10:01pm at 10:01 pm (UTC -4)
Saw this piece on MLBTR. First thing i thought was murphy (if the Mets were going to do something radical at the end of ST). But, notice the other Met they name. I guess he qualifies, but this is the first I heard him mentioned as trade bait. Any idea if they could be looking to move tatis to tweak the bench (maybe keep Carter and Tejada say?)
“Rangers Searching For Backup Corner Infielder
By Zach Links [March 28 at 10:27pm CST]
The Rangers are looking to acquire a backup corner infielder before Opening Day, writes Jim Reeves of ESPN.com. Manager Ron Washington had hoped that one of the club’s young players – such as Matt Brown or Max Ramirez – would step up to fill the role, but that has not happened.
One Rangers source said that the team keeps coming back to Boston’s Mike Lowell. The same source indicated that Texas believes that they can basically get Lowell for the same player they agreed to deal over the winter, Max Ramirez.
Kevin Millar is also on the Rangers’ watch list, though he may earn himself a bench spot with the Cubs. Wes Helms of the Marlins and Fernando Tatis of the Mets could also fit the bill as corner infielders off of the bench. Meanwhile, “super-utility” players like Houston’s Geoff Blum and Kansas City’s Willie Bloomquist are likely too rich for Texas’ blood.
ceetar
3/29/2010-10:09pm at 10:09 pm (UTC -4)
Keep Carter and Frank, trade Tatis. would be a joy to me.
Mr North Jersey
3/29/2010-10:14pm at 10:14 pm (UTC -4)
agreed
GravediggerHebner
3/29/2010-10:16pm at 10:16 pm (UTC -4)
thirded. I didn’t want Tater back and have wanted Frank to make the team even with Tatis on the roster. Without him, Frank is somewhat mandatory.
Mr North Jersey
3/29/2010-10:20pm at 10:20 pm (UTC -4)
3 of a Kind what do we win?
stickguy
3/29/2010-10:37pm at 10:37 pm (UTC -4)
Wow, I got three posters to agree on something. A red letter day.
trs86
3/29/2010-10:39pm at 10:39 pm (UTC -4)
BOOOO!
LOL. Anyway Cat or Carter is just fine but still have to have a RH bench guy and Tatis has put up better numbers than 90% of the utility guys the last 2 years.
Mr North Jersey
3/29/2010-10:45pm at 10:45 pm (UTC -4)
Why did you have to ruin a good thing?
trs86
3/29/2010-10:50pm at 10:50 pm (UTC -4)
I can’t help it. Castillo, Pagan and Tatis for some reason get a raw deal while Murphy and your man Figgy lead the overrated parade. “ducks”
Mr North Jersey
3/29/2010-11:25pm at 11:25 pm (UTC -4)
We been down this road before so no need to repeat myself.
stickguy
3/29/2010-11:04pm at 11:04 pm (UTC -4)
I won’t discuss Castillo again. have to wait to see how he performs before going down that road again.
But, I don’t think pagan is getting a raw deal at all. And Tatis is OK, and might be getting somewhat of a raw deal. Must be the DPs. Actually, it is Jerry’s fault for insisting on playing him!
and Murphy being overrated or over loved? What have you been reading?
trs86
3/29/2010-11:19pm at 11:19 pm (UTC -4)
TRDM of course. LOL.
Pagan gets a raw deal because no one seems to look at stats with him. They only remember a few mental mistakes. Tatis’s DP’s were not as bad as we make them out to be. There were many hitters with a higher DP rate. Castillo who knows how bad his defense actually is but he’s very valuable offensively when the lineup is healthy.
stickguy
3/29/2010-11:23pm at 11:23 pm (UTC -4)
Oh, i agree that some people make way too much out of his occasional mental gaff. But I don’t think too many question his other offensive production.
and with tatis, it seems like his bat got real slow and swing real long. And he would probably have had lots more DPs in the 2nd half (with the constant roll over grounders), but the mets never had anyone on base at that point!
gategem
3/30/2010-2:15am at 2:15 am (UTC -4)
So there you go. You solved the problem with Tatis. He should never bat with runners on base. It’s not Tatis’ fault. It’s all those damn players getting on base ahead of him.
stickguy
3/29/2010-11:00pm at 11:00 pm (UTC -4)
another random point.
For all the wailing about MOP, well, so what? if you want them replaced, they still can. Obviously if there is an injury they have to be, but if M or O just fall apart, a move will be made.
So maybe they didn’t find any in the off season. So they can still find some more during the season. Might already be in house (mejia, taka, someone else). Could be traded for (all the arroyo talk). some waiver or FA no one thought of (like Pedro last year).
but lets say Johan is vintage, and neise actually settles in and does what Happ did last year. If MOP all have to miss time, that means you need 6-8 SPs (depending on how many at a time.)
hell, every team uses 6-10 SPs a year anyway. So a lot more than MOP are taking the mound for the Mets no matter what happens.
Now that I think of it, having a surprisingly good performance out of the #5 (and not having to use 5 guys to get it!) might be a much more important thing this year than we were thinking. That will take a ton of pressure off MOP, and help with the depth issue.
So, Go Neise!
CaseStreet
3/29/2010-11:52pm at 11:52 pm (UTC -4)
Just want to go on the record and say I don’t like Feliciano for the SU role.
I really commend him for stepping up and saying he wants it.
I just feel like we already need another LH specialist, why make matters worse?
I’m sure Nieve or Calero can hold down the 8th inning.
I guess, the way to play it out is to use Pedro in the 8th inning, but if you need him earlier in the game to get some lefties out, you do it and use Nieve or Calero to SU.