Can you feel it ? Seriously can you feel the energy , the excitement that is Opening Day in Flushing Queens ?
Yes for the second straight winter the Mets found themselves shopping in the closeout section of their local K-Mart, looking for cheap no name alternatives ( as well as the occasional bargain) in order to field a team that would not burst their financially fragile budget. And for the most part when you have watched this seasons spate of Spring training games you had to wonder if we really were just watching the Bad News Bears 35 years later.
But all joking aside I do feel the Mets can finish the 2012 season at or above .500 – if the following five scenarios occur.
1. Johan Santana can stay healthy and effective for the bulk of this season. Yes he is the ace of the staff, but he is also a vocal motivator for this team.
2. David Wright and Ike Davis can play at least 150 games for the Mets. There is no doubt in my mind that had Wright and Ike never collided into each other early last season ( and knocking Ike out for the rest of the season) the Mets could have finished over .500.
3. The revamped bullpen can actually hold a lead. This has been the teams achilles heel for the past 5 seasons.
4. Mike Pelfrey ….. ‘Nuff Said !
5. If the National League East proves not to be the powerhouse division everyone predicts it will be. The Phillies are missing two of their best players, the Braves hav;nt done much to improve themselves, the Nationals are still young and in regards to the Marlins – see the ’92-’93 Mets ( just because you buy the best players doesn’t mean they will play well together).
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Spot starter/middle reliever from the ’63 season, Don Rowe would have been 76 today (1936).
Reserve catcher from ’64-’67, Hawk Taylor is 73 (1939).
Reserve outfielder from the ’69-’70 season, Rod Gaspar is 66 (1946).
Mets batting coach from the ’03-’04 seasons, Gary Pettis is 54 (1958).
The New York Mets traded minor league pitcher, John Csefalvay to the Houston Astros for utility man, Gary Rajsich on April 3, 1981.
The New York Mets traded reserve outfielder, Gary Matthews to the Baltimore Orioles for minor league pitcher, John Bale on April 3, 2002. Unfortunately Matthews would make a return appearance for the Mets 8 seasons later.
The New York Mets claimed reserve outfielder, McKay Christensen on waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 3, 2002.
The Detroit Tigers claimed middle reliever, Tyler Walker of the New York Mets on waivers on April 3, 2003.
The New York Mets signed free agent Pedro Feliciano on April 3, 2003.Feliciano would go on to become one of the all time consistent middle relievers in Mets history.
The New York Mets traded outfielder, Roger Cedeño to the St. Louis Cardinals for reserve shortstop, Wilson Delgado and reserve catcher,Chris Widger on April 3, 2004.This marked the end of Roger’s second stint as a Met- and boy was it a dissapointment.
Mo Vaughn plans to eat his way through Citi Field on Opening Day !!!!
65 comments
Stickguy
4/3/2012-6:30am at 6:30 am (UTC -4)
It’s gonna happen baby. Year of the unsung hero.
gategem
4/3/2012-7:54pm at 7:54 pm (UTC -4)
I honestly believe I would feel the same way you did if I didn’t have the misfortune of being able to watch all their games. Absence does make the heart grow fonder.
darknova306
4/3/2012-6:54am at 6:54 am (UTC -4)
With how tough the schedule is in April, the Mets need a fast start to avoid being demoralized too early.
It really doesn’t seem reasonable, after all the time rehabbing, to expect Johan to pitch the bulk of the season (150-200 innings). Expectations should be tempered given the nature of the injury and the amount of time spent away from the field.
Bay also needs to not be a black hole of suck. Too bad he’s toast. Canadian Scourge.
And I guess things will be great if we cling to those silly narratives that make the NL East out to be a weak division. “The Phillies are old and will decline to a third rate team”, “The Marlins will be terrible because guys can’t play baseball with each other”, “Nats can’t score runs, so they’ll be last place”, and “The Braves didn’t vastly improve in the off-season, so they’ll be worse than last year”. Man, the Mets should take that division easily. *eye roll*
darknova306
4/3/2012-7:02am at 7:02 am (UTC -4)
Also, I’m drinking Nugget Nectar right now. I just won Tuesday before it even got started. Booyah! Can’t wait to explore the new craft beer selection at Citi Field on Thursday!
saltygary
4/3/2012-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
Just got my ticket to the Boston Craft Brew Fest last week. Can’t wait!
darknova306
4/3/2012-4:02pm at 4:02 pm (UTC -4)
Sweet! That’s a great time.
saltygary
4/3/2012-6:04pm at 6:04 pm (UTC -4)
Come and represent Ommegang. I’ll make a pretzel necklace for you.
Prismo
4/3/2012-1:00pm at 1:00 pm (UTC -4)
How is it? Can you describe it? I almost got that at the beer store over the weekend, but ended up getting something else.
TRS86
4/3/2012-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
What we get a new theme and now you want back in?
Prismo
4/3/2012-1:15pm at 1:15 pm (UTC -4)
It is much improved…
darknova306
4/3/2012-4:06pm at 4:06 pm (UTC -4)
Think of it as a beefed up amber ale with a serious hop character to it. Sweet, rich malt flavor. An earthy grapefruit kind of aroma that mixes well with the sweet malt aromas. Great beer from a great brewery.
mrose
4/4/2012-10:20am at 10:20 am (UTC -4)
are we seeing a ghost?
(yea, I should talk..I know lol)
NJstuckinTX
4/3/2012-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
OOoooohhh.. That looks good.
oleosmirf
4/3/2012-7:14am at 7:14 am (UTC -4)
my 5 keys:
1) stay healthy
2) stay healthy
3) stay healthy
4) stay healthy
5) David Wright
Stickguy
4/3/2012-7:31am at 7:31 am (UTC -4)
How did you forget the most important one?
Stay healthy.
Mr North Jersey
4/3/2012-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
HA!
MetsFan4Decades
4/3/2012-7:53am at 7:53 am (UTC -4)
So hard to predict standings going in. It’s a long season and where we finish almost has as much to do with the other 4 teams in the NL east as it does with the Mets.
I’m so tired of saying/reading this but it can’t be stated enough: Health is a key. Our depth is thin, especially with SP. We’ve got some depth with the BP and good thing b/c it’s looking like we’re going to need it.
Getting off to a fast start and giving Bay 6 weeks to get it together is going to be counter productive. At best he’s a rally killer. At worst, he’s done. Going to be interesting to see how this plays out.
Stickguy
4/3/2012-8:03am at 8:03 am (UTC -4)
except right now, what can they do? If Sandy wakes up today saying damn, I am cutting his sorry arse, what other options do they have?
They almost need the 6 weeks just to find an alternate solution, unless you want to roll with a Rottino/Baxter platoon!
Though I would not mind seeing Lagares/Kirk up for OF rotation duty mid year (if they both are cranking along).
MetsFan4Decades
4/3/2012-8:26am at 8:26 am (UTC -4)
No, I agree with you. They’re paying him all that money – they’re going to take a long look at him probably through May.
If he’s not improving, I don’t know what their next step will be. Going to be difficult to dump that contract – even if the Mets pay the bulk of it.
TRS86
4/4/2012-8:33am at 8:33 am (UTC -4)
OK 4D you are going to have to shorten your name, LOL. It’s breaking the new comment box on my screen. Besides none of us type out Metsfan4decades anyway. Lets take votes today on what to change it to.
Signed,
The Real Since 1986.
Stick
4/4/2012-9:13am at 9:13 am (UTC -4)
I just go with MF anyway. I suppose I should add the 4D to keep it family friendly though…
TRS86
4/4/2012-9:29am at 9:29 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, I just can’t call the First Lady of Mets Blogs a MF… LOL
I vote for MF4D, or perhaps her incognito name SRT?
NJstuckinTX
4/4/2012-9:21am at 9:21 am (UTC -4)
I concur.
Signed,
New Jersey Stuck in Texas.
Stick
4/4/2012-9:48am at 9:48 am (UTC -4)
Good to know
Signed,
Stickguy
trs86
4/4/2012-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
Do you have ANY other names?
MetsFan4Decades
4/4/2012-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
LOL….
Actually, I was thinking about changing it to ‘srt’ across the board. I’m using that on some blogs and MetsFan4Decades on others. It’s getting confusing….
Regulars should know who that is. New posters won’t know the difference……
srt
4/4/2012-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
Testing…..
LGM!
srt
4/4/2012-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
Better?
Signed the ‘poster formally known as MetsFan4Decades’.
trs86
4/4/2012-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
LOL, yes much better 4D…
You know it’s nice here that we can joke around with each other a little now and then and rarely does it turn into a slug-fest.
srt
4/4/2012-11:55am at 11:55 am (UTC -4)
What you said…..
One of the best features of this site. Don’t have to put up with the constant ‘Yo’ Mama’ type insults.
Prismo
4/4/2012-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
But I don’t know what srt means! You’re still 4D to me.
According to google srt may stand for:
Southern Refridgerized Transport
Street & Racing Technology
or it may be the SubRip file extension (.srt)
trs86
4/4/2012-12:07pm at 12:07 pm (UTC -4)
And as I say this, Kingman and Ceetar start ringing the bell again.
kingman 26
4/4/2012-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry Chief, it’s years of this already.
It’s a free country and a free website, but I am sick of being exposed to Ceetar’s behavior and attitude. He belongs at the center of The Core at MMO right between Alex and Bayonne.
Spring training sure meant nothing and was useless for Mike Baxter, wouldn’t you agree?
And KRod’s contract option situation sure makes the idea of trading Francisco or Rauch a precise parallel to trying to trade KRod doesn’t it?
Ceetar
4/3/2012-8:57am at 8:57 am (UTC -4)
5th one’s easy, and a big one. The NL East will have fewer total wins than last year. A big determining factor in the division winner will be the game against each other.
Stick
4/3/2012-9:01am at 9:01 am (UTC -4)
I can see the teams being bunched up more, but you really think the east as a whole will win less games (meaning the west, central and AL beat up on the division more?)
Ceetar
4/3/2012-9:27am at 9:27 am (UTC -4)
well, i guess it’ll be pretty close. Definitely bunched up more, but yeah, I think ultimately it could be a tick lower. Phillies lose a lot more, Marlins don’t win much more, Braves win a couple less, Nats probably stay status quo.
The overall division may win more, but in a ‘how do the Mets win more games’ way, the other 4 won’t reach the same heights.
wanny
4/3/2012-10:30pm at 10:30 pm (UTC -4)
very concerned with frank francisco’s spring. seems to me more than some knee soreness holding him back.
the bullpen has little shot of being competent without him.
still think ruben tejada will be the breakout player on this team — edgardo alfonzo light.
the keys to success this season will be for the phillies’ starting pitchers to pass mono to each other, the braves bullpen to get beaten up by a purple haired 7 train rider, jose reyes to share his health and fitness routine with hanley and stanton and for the nationals players to be as unified as their neighbors on Capitol hill.
MetsFan4Decades
4/4/2012-7:38am at 7:38 am (UTC -4)
LOL…
You’re not alone in that concern about Francisco.
I’ve not exactly been impressed by what I’ve seen from him or Rauch so far this spring. Ironic that the better outings/numbers put up by the BP in ST were from those already in the organization.
I don’t know about Rauch but Francisco strikes me as one of those closer types that thrives on the 9th inning pressure situation. Maybe he’ll be servicable once the season starts.
TRS86
4/4/2012-8:30am at 8:30 am (UTC -4)
Honestly, I am not concerned about Frank at all. I guess it depends on what you expected.
He’s a 3.54 ERA pitcher with a 1.23 WHIP 10K/9 3BB/9.
I don’t think any of us expected that to be 2.30 1.00 and 12/1.
They also have options that are just as good as he is to fill in the spot. Rauch, Ramirez, Parnell backed up by Acosta. I think they are fine in the RH reliever department.
MetsFan4Decades
4/4/2012-8:37am at 8:37 am (UTC -4)
Watching him all spring I wasn’t impressed. However, I will grant that most of his outings were either not in the 9th inning or not in save situations. He also pitched multiple innings back to back in ST, which I’m assuming will rarely be the case in the regular season.
What he did in ST though just doesn’t count. We all know it’ll be a distant memory if he does his job in the regular season.
NJstuckinTX
4/4/2012-8:54am at 8:54 am (UTC -4)
It is quite possible (while unlikely) that Parnell could grab the closers spot if he keeps doing what he’s doing and we see Rauch and Francisco as the set up guys. Now, all that is said with a grain of salt as spring training is, well, spring training.
Anyone hear Murph this morning on Boomer & Carton? Go Big Murph!
TRS86
4/4/2012-8:58am at 8:58 am (UTC -4)
I fully expect one of Rauch, Frank or both to be traded by the deadline.
Honestly if the injury to Bailey had happen during the season I would expect one of them to be a Red sox.
NJstuckinTX
4/4/2012-9:04am at 9:04 am (UTC -4)
I had this debate with Ceet the other day. I wouldn’t be surprised if both weren’t shipped off by the deadline if the team isn’t in a position to make a run. It’d be a perfect sell high scenario. And, not saying Alderson is the Belichek of GMs, but the signing of these 2 guys as absolute stop gaps with fairly freindly salaries make them perfect trade bait types. He may not have signed them with the intention to flip them, but Alderson certainly left that possibility open for himself.
TRS86
4/4/2012-9:12am at 9:12 am (UTC -4)
Just curious but what is to debate there?
NJstuckinTX
4/4/2012-9:18am at 9:18 am (UTC -4)
I said I thought Alderson signed them with the intention of flipping them at the deadline, Ceet said absolutely not, they were signed to win ball games.
To me, they were brought in to be flipped and if the team is doing very well, then Hells Bells, you just keep them and make a run. Ceet was saying they were brought in to win, and should the team collapse, then they could be traded.
It ended up being basically the same thing with a little slant. Glass half to overflowing full view of Ceet’s to my half empty and someone slobbered on the glass view…
Ceetar
4/4/2012-10:14am at 10:14 am (UTC -4)
just that some make this season out to be like Sandy Alderson spent all offseason playing the free agent market like it’s a stock exchange, buying low and hoping to sell high for futures.
I was just emphasizing that it’s more involved than that. He signed guys that give good dividends, while keeping an eye out towards not adding them to his long-term portfolio.
I mean really, look what he got for Francisco Rodriguez. The long term value of trading these guys midseason for prospects is only slightly higher than buying a lottery ticket.
oleosmirf
4/4/2012-10:44am at 10:44 am (UTC -4)
I think its quite obvious that Sandy acquired these guys knowing that all 3 will be coveted around the deadline.
Now he also brought them in order to win games, but I would be very surprised if all 3 are still on the Mets when August comes around.
You can get quality prospects for a setup man with closing experience…
trs86
4/4/2012-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
I think Ramirez was the only one he brought in for the future.
Prismo
4/4/2012-9:35am at 9:35 am (UTC -4)
Man, it would be fantastic to trade one or both of these guys at the deadline. Let’s hope they’re healthy and productive enough to make that possible.
I think it’s a travesty at this point that teams can’t trade draft picks though. If the Mets trade Rauch for $1MM and a Chris Carter…that’s totally useless. I’d much rather have a 4th or 5th round draft pick – at least that has upside, even if it’s riskier than taking a AAAA player.
Prismo
4/4/2012-9:37am at 9:37 am (UTC -4)
Also, I hope that’s the reason for holding Parnell back.
As of yesterday (I think) TC announced who the set-up guys would be, and Parnell didn’t even make the cut! That means he’s two steps back from closer on the depth chart (and really, 3 players back). If this sorry-excuse-for-a-Mets-season isn’t the right time to test the waters with Parnell as closer, I don’t know when that time IS! Do we want to throw him out there for the first time when the team finally has a shot to compete for the playoffs?
MetsFan4Decades
4/4/2012-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
‘Do we want to throw him out there for the first time when the team finally has a shot to compete for the playoffs?’
No…but is first shot was last season after KRod was traded. And he failed miserably.
I expect they want to take a good look at the ‘new and improved’ Parnell in the real season until they move him up the line in that BP.
trs86
4/4/2012-10:30am at 10:30 am (UTC -4)
Yup, they need him to build confidence first so for now he’s the middle guy and long relief guy.
Prismo
4/4/2012-10:56am at 10:56 am (UTC -4)
I know we like to pretend some of our younger players are still fresh out of the minors and need experience…but this is going to be Parnell’s 4th full season in the majors. I think at the very least given his ST he should have been handed the set-up spot. I don’t like the babying methodology.
MetsFan4Decades
4/4/2012-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
Prismo……I’ll bet it has more to do with the fact that they acquired and paid Rauch and Francisco to be the 8th and 9th inning guys then it does with Parnell’s development .
They’re going to give those other two a good long chance at success/fail before they start shaking up the BP.
Us fans might want the best guy for the job, money be damned, but you know it’s not always the way it works.
Plus, I really am not privy to all that’s been going on this spring so the organization might have more confidence in Rauch/Francisco in the regular season than I do right now.
Ceetar
4/4/2012-11:23am at 11:23 am (UTC -4)
The relievers that pitch well will start to pitch higher leverage innings, the relievers that don’t, will pitch lower leverage innings.
Not worth making much of a Spring Training breakdown of the bullpen.
Prismo
4/4/2012-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
You’re right Ceetar – ST is useless. Also, Terry Collins’ public declaration of bullpen roles is usless, obviously. We should just never talk baseball during the off-season, because none of it matters.
I’ve been back here a day and I’m already annoyed. Where’s my bro Kingman?
Ceetar
4/4/2012-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
Spring Training IS useless.
I say ‘make much’ not ignore completely. I think it’s pretty obvious that Rauch and Francisco were going to start higher on the ‘closer depth chart’. But if Rauch is spotty and Parnell doesn’t allow a run, he’ll leap frog him before the Mets are back for their second homestand.
And situation and score will dictate most of the usage, despite what Collins suggests are the default roles to start with.
trs86
4/4/2012-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
LOL, Prismo.
It’s in between. ST doesn’t count for a lot but Collins anointing those guys does speak for where his trust currently lies.
trs86
4/4/2012-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
Wow, now it’s completely useless? Then why have it? For a guy like Duda, spring is important, Wright this year? Important. Tejada? Important. Murphy at 2B? Important. Johan? important. Pelfrey, unimportant… uh important.
Prismo
4/4/2012-11:53am at 11:53 am (UTC -4)
Why are you being to pessimistic Ceetar? I’m trying to tell you how good Parnell is looking and that he could be our future bullpen star, and you’re just shooting me down. You always do this – so negative about the players and the team when everyone else is trying to get excited about the team and the system. What a buzzkill.
Okay, I’m done trolling.
Seriously though..all I’m saying is that Parnell looks the best he has in 4 seasons and I think he at least deserves the set-up man spot for now. Maybe the closer role later in the season if he performs well. I don’t care if we’re paying others a few million – if you’re not paid to be a closer, you’re paid to pitch anywhere else in the bullpen; your role is not defined. That should not affect where anyone starts the season.
kingman 26
4/4/2012-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
Hey Prismo!
Glad to see you here man!
And you have been gone so long, apparently you forgot that Ceetar is here to say irrelevant and inane things in order to get the attention he so sorely craves!
Prismo
4/4/2012-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks!
trs86
4/4/2012-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
There is a huge difference in what you get for a reliever that does not have a 17M option attached to his name.
oleosmirf
4/4/2012-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
exactly. Look at what the return was for Brad Ziegler, Koji Uehara, Mike Adams.
Granted Adams is a stud reliever but if one of those three guys has a really good year then some team will give us a good (but not great) prospect for him…
NJstuckinTX
4/4/2012-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
Supply and Demand, for sure. The Demand is almost always there come the trade deadline. Who would have thought Beltran could have netted Wheeler? Not saying FF or Rauch will net a Wheeler type, but it could get something decent in return.