Well here we are on July 10, 2012 – in the middle of the All-Star break, and all I can say is that I am pleasantly surprised about the Mets.
I has felt that if the Mets had finished the first half of the season at .500 (43-43) – it would be a major victory for a team that has been predicted by many to finish the season with more than 100 losses. But the Mets are 46-40, 4 games out of first place and a half game out of second. If you told me that the Mets would be playing this well this far into the season I would have told you that everything would have to had broke right for the team by Flushing Bay.
But you know something – not everything has broken the right way for this team. They have lost key players to injuries ( Pelf, Tejada, Bay,Francisco as well as Torres) and they have fallen victim to some shoddy umpiring. So when you think about it is is plausible to say that if everything has broken the Mets way so far – they could ( and maybe should be in first place).
But if if’s and buts were candies and nuts everyday would be Christmas. This team does have it’s flaws thaT need addressing , specifically the bullpen as well as the reserve catcher. I am very hesitant to bring aboard either a Houston Street – or to reunite the temperamental ( and occasionally wild in the strike zone) Frankie Rodriguez. I do feel that Frank Francisco should remain as the closer . Yes he is shaky but I trust Terry Collins when he says that Francisco is getting stronger.
The defense also has to tighten up abit. The Mets have given up too many runs – and lost too many games because of poor defense. The offense has been excellent – as has the starting pitching – with the exception of a handful of blowouts.
If I was to grade the Mets they would get a solid B from me. They have played very well in the first half – which in my opinion is a testament to both manager, Terry Collins as well as General Manager, Sandy Alderson. And with some minor tweaking to the team, I am starting to believe that this team may have a a legitimate shot at the post season.
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Larry Burright, the Mets utility infielder from ’63-’64 is 75 today (1937) .
Mets utility man from 1981-1983, Bob Bailor is 61 (1951) . Bob’s best year with the Mets came during the ’82 season when he batted .277 with 31 RBIs in 110 games.
The New York Mets traded spot starter/middle reliever, Brian Bohanon to the Los Angeles Dodgers for reliever, Greg McMichael on July 10, 1998.
The New York Mets traded outfielder, Ryan Church to the Atlanta Braves for right fielder, Jeff Francoeur on July 10, 2009. It is too bad that Ryan Church never developed into the outfielder that Omar Minaya wanted, but the concussion that he suffered was so severe, he never was the same player. Frenchie proved that he had a strong arm as well as a power bat, but he struck out way too often on a team that lacked the ability to get on base – let alone score runs.
Mo Vaughn thinks that Tony Larussa is a douche !!!
6 comments
srt
7/10/2012-7:37am at 7:37 am (UTC -4)
I’m not high on Houston Street either – mainly b/c of the what we might have to give up to get him.
This is probably unpopular opinion here but I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing KRod back. He’d be your typical 2 month rental so don’t believe it would cost much in either prospects or $$ – whatever he’s got left on that contract.
Parnell/KRod/Francisco is not a bad late inning BP at all. All 3 are capable of closing out games. We know KRod can pitch in NY. I just think it instantly upgrades the BP.
Try and fill the additional lefty arm needed from within.
I’m very pleased with what they’ve been able to do the first half. If the SP stays healthy – heck most of the team stays healthy – I feel we can compete going all the way down the stretch. What happens from there is anyone’s guess.
Stickguy
7/10/2012-7:54am at 7:54 am (UTC -4)
I think the whole clubhouse/chemistry thing is overblown. Players know that it is about trying to win into the playoffs, and that takes talent. Plus, gotta figure they are big on 2nd chances! You know, just in case they ever get into trouble…
But, he doesn’t have particularly good numbers, and there is well documented issue about mentally only wanting to close. So will he be happy sharing time? Or would they bring him back as the “man”, hoping he would revitalize his career? He is playing for a contract again.
Street? Fine, if primarily a salary dump. Or Balfour, or a few of those other guys. Anyone that is a legit, end of game, pitch to both sides guy.
Like you said, one of them + parnell+FFF could be an actual strong pen. Let the other guys mix and match their OOGY stuff, and hope to routinely keep getting 7 out of the SP, and suddenly the pitching is not a problem!
NJstuckinTX
7/10/2012-8:44am at 8:44 am (UTC -4)
I wouldn’t mind KRod. I’d prefer Street, but beggars can’t be choosers. I think a player like Balfour would be a nice add, but I think the cost may be prohibitive. I’ve a feeling Alderson isn’t going to trade one high trade chip away. Which would be nice, but that better translate into bundling some 40 man glut or he’s going to lose some of those peeps to the Rule 5. I know it is fantasy baseball mentality, but making moves for Upton and Street would be building, in my mind, not just mortgaging the future for this season. Controllable beyond this year is my motto (just adopted it). I understand it may take losing Harvey and others for Upton, but I’d be fine with that. If it could be for Flores, Familia, Murph/Kirk and another (Mateo or someone), then all the better, but Arizona isn’t parting with Upton for nothing less than a Harvey type.
Hazmet
7/10/2012-9:00am at 9:00 am (UTC -4)
Is Balfour prone to walks as a pitcher?
I know weak…. but I couldn’t help it.
NJstuckinTX
7/10/2012-9:04am at 9:04 am (UTC -4)
As a batter, his OPS is Nimmo-esque.
SaltyGary
7/10/2012-9:07am at 9:07 am (UTC -4)
KROD gets a big fat NO-WAY from me. If you look at his numbers, there is really no upgrade that we would get, just a different warm body with control problems. The demand for street will immediately knock the Mets out of it, plus I really don’t want to do any trades with Minaya because out of everyone he knows exactly what we have and there won’t be any NYC hype fooling him.
Balfour or someone else like him would be perfect. Setup type reliever is exactly what we need.
And Jeez if they can get a good defensive right handed hitter for the outfield, it would be amazing. At this point it doesn’t even matter what position seems like they are all expendable at this point.