Any fan of the Metropolitans would love to erase 2009 from the memory banks. The promise of a new stadium, new additions, and probably some vitriol after watching the Phillies win it all in 2008 had Mets' fans ready to do battle in '09. There was only one problem, the team was not quite as ready as the fans.
Many an expert predicted first place or the playoffs at the very least for the Mets. And why not? The division is poor after the Phillies and there's not much in terms of a threat from other NL Central or West non-division winners. Reality set in as injury after injury after injury befell the Mets however, a real turning point came as Luis Castillo botched an IF pop up that handed the Yankees a win in a game that was a sure loss. That loss deflated not only the confidence of the team, but the fans jumped the shark too.
Who's here? - Additions could feasibly include Jose Reyes, who played in only 36 games last season; Carlos Beltran (a saga befitting a soap opera); Jason Bay (a legit right handed bat but NO defense and do not say you weren't warned!); Gary Matthews Jr (the most overpaid, overhyped stiff in baseball); and Rod Barajas (though I'll take me some Omir Santos any day.) The Mets also bolstered the pitching staff by importing Ryota Igarashi and Hisanori Takahashi from Nippon and are relying on John Maine to come back and provide solid IPs out of the 3 slot. There are also some proven MLB arms that could be waiting in the wings in the form of Kelvim Escobar, Elmer Dessens, RA Dickey, and Josh Fogg.
Who's missing? - Beltran, still. But in reality, Carlos Delgado who anchored the IF and the lineup is gone. If you say that you'll miss Jeremy Reed, Tim Redding, JJ Putz, Gary Sheffield, or Anderson Hernandez, I'll tell you that you are obviously out of touch with everything that has gone wrong w/this club over the last few years. David Wright? Yeah, where have you gone with your 10 HR season last year? Fernando Martinez!! Somehow this guy is spending another year, or at least starting one, in the minors?!? My advice to Mr. Minaya, trade him now. Get the highest possible value you can for him because you apparently have no interest in giving one of the top prospects in your organization a shot.
The low down - To win the East will take work. The Phillies are coming off back to back WS appearances and have a pitching staff that managed to get better by adding Roy Halladay. The Nats are improved as referenced a few posts ago. The Marlins and the Braves are pretty solid and have made their own additions as well. If healthy I still can't see this team finishing anywhere above 3rd but I'll peg them for 4th, ahead of the Nats but just behind the Braves, 78 wins.
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