A Look at the 2010 Mets
Written by Jeff Brous Monday, 08 March 2010 18:21
I tried. I really did. I tried harder than I did in high school when I was trying to hook up with the prom queen (Chelsea Ruplin, I’m still trying if you’re reading this). Unfortunately, much like in high school, I couldn’t do it. I wanted to write a cheerful, positive column on the upcoming New York Mets season, but the more time I spent thinking about the Metropolitans, the more depressed I became about the 2010 season. For those of you who don’t know what it’s like to be a Mets fan, let me try and paint a picture for you. My friend Devers and I were talking at a party the other night when the conversation shifted to the Mets:
Devers: “Did you hear what happened?”
Me: “No, what?”
Devers: “Wait, this is Mets related, let’s go outside so nobody hears us.”
This led to a discussion on Jose Reyes’s recent thyroid problem and, needless to say, a half hour of what the Costanza’s would call “The Airing of Grievances”. To steal a joke from the great Conan O’Brien (Rest in Peace), the motto has changed from “You Gotta Believe” to “You Gotta Be Kidding Me”. With that out of the way, let’s get on with the preview for CitiField’s second inaugural season.
Key Additions:
- Jason Bay – Coming off a huge year at Fenway, the Mets decided to break the bank on a power hitter, even though they play at one of the least hitter-friendly parks in the MLB. Whether or not he works out, though, is a moot point. The Mets needed another power bat in the middle of the lineup to replace Delgado and they got it.
- Gary Matthews Jr. – Wait, really? This is their second biggest signing? There has to be someone else. Rod Barajas? Moving on…
The Lineup
The biggest story coming out of Spring Training is the possibility of Jose batting in the 3rd spot. This would leave the middle of the order looking like Reyes third, Wright fourth, and Bay fifth. Looks pretty good, no? Well that depends on the health of Reyes, who happens to be more fragile than Samuel L Jackson’s character in ‘Unbreakable’ (I would use the character’s name but I don’t know it. I only watch bad sports teams, not bad movies). I’ll set the over/under on the number of games Reyes plays this year at 60, and I’ll take the under. The only positive thing in the lineup this year was the same as last year: David Wright. Although he had a down year in terms of power, expect big things this year. Look at the equation: Jason Bay as protection + Lower outfield walls at CitiField + Possible steroids scandal = Huge year for Wright. The rest of the lineup? Ho-hum. Angel Pagan, Louis Castillo, Daniel Murphy, Barajas, Matthews Jr…any of those guys scare you? M
e neither.
The Pitching Staff
If Johan Santana felt pressure to win last year, I strongly hope his doctor upped his Xanax prescription this year. Johan needs to win at least 20 games this year or it’s going to be ’09 all over again. Well, if you look at the rest of the staff, we are looking at ’09 all over again. Mike Pelfrey, Oliver Perez, and John Maine; pardon my language and sarcasm but that’s f**king awesome. Mets fans have been waiting for these guys to turn the corner much like hip-hop fans have been waiting for Dr Dre’s new CD. In both cases, it may never happen. On the bright side, Frankie Rodriguez should be solid, as long as he actually gets some save situations.
Prediction:
84-78 Good enough for 3rd Place in the NL East and another year where we miss the playoffs.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go rush out and buy my Rod Barajas jersey before they sell out.
