Okay this happens to me every spring training. I get excited about the Mets but it's really more that I'm just excited that baseball is back. So while I'm in my yearly honeymoon phase with the Mets, I'll give 5 reasons why they can at least be a wild-card contender this year. Reality will probably set in during June or July and they will end up blowing but lets pretend that they're not the Mets, just for a moment.
Okay so unless a nuclear bomb strikes Philadelphia or Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay contract incurable diseases, I think everyone has the Phillies as shoe-ins to win the NL East and the National League. Everyone has predicted that the Mets, amid their financial turmoil, off-season stagnancy and the fact that they're an overall embarrassment, will suck this year. I initially thought the same but I have a little bit of optimism as we count down the days to opening day.
1. CHANGE OF CULTURE!
This whole "Los Mets" experiment (AKA Omar Minaya) and the fun-lovin, no worries, funky Mets (Jerry Manuel) has finally been buried. I think both Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins will bring intelligence, practicality and a certain toughness and accountability that has not been a part of the franchise since the days of Bobby V. Although I think at times a manager on a good team can be interchangeable, A hard-nosed fiery guy that comes into a situation with underachievers is a completely different ball of wax. I think we will see a new Mets this year. Veterans who have been truly embarrassed as well as humbled. Everyone is sick of this team not living up to expectations and we finally have the brains behind the wheel who can kick the players in the ass and get the train rolling. We will see a different brand of baseball on the Citi Field diamond this year.
2. JASON BAY
Let's face it, last year could not have gone worse for Jason Bay. He sucked til the moment he got his concussion and then he was gone. He essentially did nothing for this team last year. I don't want to hear that he can't handle the pressure though. This guy was a boss at Fenway and there is more pressure playing for the Sox than there is for the Mets. His failure to adjust to Citi Field (and the Mets failure to make the ballpark more hitter friendly) were no doubt factors in his failure last season. Bay is just too good to have another mediocre season. He is an excellent worker and I believe he will have a breakout year in a Mets uniform this season. He will be a big part of a lineup that can potentially be one of the best in the league this season.
3. OVERLOOKED STARTING ROTATION
Johan's out blah blah blah. Everyone else...most definitely those stiffs on ESPN are afraid to say it or aren't smart enough...but the Mets rotation is not that bad, despite the prolonged absence of Johan Santana. Pelfrey had one bad stretch last season and all of a sudden everyone forgets he won 15 games. He will be a beast this year. Jonathan Niese has a disgusting curve ball and a good fastball and change to toss in their also. He was brilliant at times last year and this year I expect him to be consistently good for the entire season, barring injury. Then there's Dickey. DICKEY! DICKEY IS YOUR ACE!? Chris Russo aside, R.A. Dickey's master of the knuckleball will not be a fluke. He will make hitters look silly all season. He throws his knuckle faster than Wakefield and he can also throw a fastball. I don't know who the 5th pitcher will be yet, but the 4th will be Chris Young. Young was once considered a rising star for the Padres. He was, for 2 years before his injury problems, an ELITE pitcher in the NL. The Mets took a flier on him and I think it will pay off huge dividends. He has looked great this spring training and if he doesn't get injured we may have gotten on of the steals of the season. The Mets starting rotation will not have Ollie P and I believe it will take many people by surprise.
4. IKE DAVIS
Ike Davis is no joke. He is going to be one of the best first basemen in baseball within a few years time. He has great size and tremendous power. He has a great glove and we all know he can make the highlight catches. His long reach will also help the likes of Daniel Murphy if he gets the starting job at 2nd. Ike's power from the left side is phenomenal and I think his improved control at the plate will be a great reflection on his tireless work ethic.
5. THE GOLDEN BOYS
I'm talking about Reyes and Wright. It's a gay nickname I know but lets face it...that's what those two are supposed to be. Unfortunately, they are the face of the franchise. Despite all their talent those faces have ultimately represented failure. Both for the team as a whole and for them as individuals. Neither has developed quite into the players Mets fans had hoped they would. NY is famous for bloated expectations so its difficult to be too hard on these guys but it's New York so you have to be. Reyes' injuries and inability to become a real hitter have had me tearing apart the couch cushions for years. Wright's inability to hit any breaking pitch or a fastball above 93MPH and that fact that he comes across as a huge, clean cut pussy is tough to cope with.
Still... I think that they will both shine this year. Reyes will actually have someone forcing him to act like a professional and he is in a contract year. He may not speak great English but he understands the $ sign. For Wright, we know that he's the consummate professional and we know he has the talent. I think getting his ear away from HoJo's mouth will be a big help. I actually think that these 2 will perform beyond expectations this year and help make the Mets surprise contenders in the NL Wildcard race.
So there are 5 reasons to look at the glass not quite half empty. All of the arguments I made can easily be torn to shreds and added to the lengthy list of reasons why the Mets suck but I figured I'd give it a shot. When I start shitting on the Mets in a few months it won't be a surprise to me but like I said, its fun to pretend in the beginning of the season.
 |
| This could be a familiar face...but there could be some hope! |
1. CHANGE OF CULTURE!
This whole "Los Mets" experiment (AKA Omar Minaya) and the fun-lovin, no worries, funky Mets (Jerry Manuel) has finally been buried. I think both Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins will bring intelligence, practicality and a certain toughness and accountability that has not been a part of the franchise since the days of Bobby V. Although I think at times a manager on a good team can be interchangeable, A hard-nosed fiery guy that comes into a situation with underachievers is a completely different ball of wax. I think we will see a new Mets this year. Veterans who have been truly embarrassed as well as humbled. Everyone is sick of this team not living up to expectations and we finally have the brains behind the wheel who can kick the players in the ass and get the train rolling. We will see a different brand of baseball on the Citi Field diamond this year.
2. JASON BAY
Let's face it, last year could not have gone worse for Jason Bay. He sucked til the moment he got his concussion and then he was gone. He essentially did nothing for this team last year. I don't want to hear that he can't handle the pressure though. This guy was a boss at Fenway and there is more pressure playing for the Sox than there is for the Mets. His failure to adjust to Citi Field (and the Mets failure to make the ballpark more hitter friendly) were no doubt factors in his failure last season. Bay is just too good to have another mediocre season. He is an excellent worker and I believe he will have a breakout year in a Mets uniform this season. He will be a big part of a lineup that can potentially be one of the best in the league this season.
3. OVERLOOKED STARTING ROTATION
 | |
| Chris Young could be a nice addition to the rotation |
4. IKE DAVIS
Ike Davis is no joke. He is going to be one of the best first basemen in baseball within a few years time. He has great size and tremendous power. He has a great glove and we all know he can make the highlight catches. His long reach will also help the likes of Daniel Murphy if he gets the starting job at 2nd. Ike's power from the left side is phenomenal and I think his improved control at the plate will be a great reflection on his tireless work ethic.
5. THE GOLDEN BOYS
I'm talking about Reyes and Wright. It's a gay nickname I know but lets face it...that's what those two are supposed to be. Unfortunately, they are the face of the franchise. Despite all their talent those faces have ultimately represented failure. Both for the team as a whole and for them as individuals. Neither has developed quite into the players Mets fans had hoped they would. NY is famous for bloated expectations so its difficult to be too hard on these guys but it's New York so you have to be. Reyes' injuries and inability to become a real hitter have had me tearing apart the couch cushions for years. Wright's inability to hit any breaking pitch or a fastball above 93MPH and that fact that he comes across as a huge, clean cut pussy is tough to cope with.
Still... I think that they will both shine this year. Reyes will actually have someone forcing him to act like a professional and he is in a contract year. He may not speak great English but he understands the $ sign. For Wright, we know that he's the consummate professional and we know he has the talent. I think getting his ear away from HoJo's mouth will be a big help. I actually think that these 2 will perform beyond expectations this year and help make the Mets surprise contenders in the NL Wildcard race.
So there are 5 reasons to look at the glass not quite half empty. All of the arguments I made can easily be torn to shreds and added to the lengthy list of reasons why the Mets suck but I figured I'd give it a shot. When I start shitting on the Mets in a few months it won't be a surprise to me but like I said, its fun to pretend in the beginning of the season.
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