Ya Gotta Believe
A place for New York Mets fans made by a New York Mets fan. If you love baseball, you will love this blog.
3.13.2006
Overview of the upcoming season
Hey Mets Fans.
I'm just writing the obvious pre-season report on how I personally think the team will shape up this year. Everybody is saying that the Mets will dominate the NL East, but you know what happens when us Mets fans jump to conclusions (heartbreak hotel).
Starting Pitching: B+
I think the rotation is relatively stong despite the recent trades of Mr. Anna Benson and Jae Seo. I would give Pedro Martinez all the time he needs to heal up his toe because we need him in October, not April. Tom Glavine is not a power pitcher so his age (coming up on 40) will not be a factor. He is a solid number two starter and I flat out trust him with the ball. Steve Trachsel is an innings eater and wins getter. He has been consistenly getting double-digit wins with not-so-great teams. Victor Zambrano scares me. He throws the ball like he's in a rush to get somewhere after the game; his throws are wild, erradic and not properly thought out. I'd give the fifth spot to Aaron Heilman. I know he was great in the bullpen, but I think he's earned his shot. It is true, however, that if anyone of these guys go down, there is not sufficient depth.
Relief Pitching: A
Although highly critical moves, the Mets trade for Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll was a great one. Sanchez is a great set-up man with the ability to close if necessary. Billy Wagner is just a dream come true. He's like a really good, controlled,and left-handed Armando Benitez. Shea will allow him some mistake room as well. The 8th and 9th innings are in great hands.
Defense: B
Carlos Beltran is an animal in the outfield and I'm convinced Cliff Floyd could throw someone out at home plate from the parking lot. David Wright, Jose Reyes, and Kaz Matsui will have to have more command on their throws to first because Carlos Delgado is not a gold glover. Paul Lo Duca will work well with the pitching staff while intimidating potential base stealers. Even though Mike Piazza was the man, we haven't had that defensive confidence behind home plate in years.
Lineup: A
Beautiful. Sexy. Electric. This is a gorgeous thing to look at on paper. Two switch-hitting, speedy guys atop the order (Reyes, Beltran) followed by some combination of DWF (Delgado, Wright and Floyd). A potential lefty-righty-lefty combo in the heart of the order. Lo Duca is a great contact hitter who knows how to get on base. Xavier Nady has had a solid spring training and should be the right fielder. With him and Matsui at the end of the lineup, runs will be scored aplenty.
Overall: A-/B+
Until I see them play together, I will not say that these are the NL East champions. Atlanta could win with 8 players on the field. Philadelphia has an amazingly under-appreciated outfield and power in their lineup. Washington are grinders and should have a solid win total. It will be interesting to watch.
1 comments
I'm just writing the obvious pre-season report on how I personally think the team will shape up this year. Everybody is saying that the Mets will dominate the NL East, but you know what happens when us Mets fans jump to conclusions (heartbreak hotel).
Starting Pitching: B+
I think the rotation is relatively stong despite the recent trades of Mr. Anna Benson and Jae Seo. I would give Pedro Martinez all the time he needs to heal up his toe because we need him in October, not April. Tom Glavine is not a power pitcher so his age (coming up on 40) will not be a factor. He is a solid number two starter and I flat out trust him with the ball. Steve Trachsel is an innings eater and wins getter. He has been consistenly getting double-digit wins with not-so-great teams. Victor Zambrano scares me. He throws the ball like he's in a rush to get somewhere after the game; his throws are wild, erradic and not properly thought out. I'd give the fifth spot to Aaron Heilman. I know he was great in the bullpen, but I think he's earned his shot. It is true, however, that if anyone of these guys go down, there is not sufficient depth.
Relief Pitching: A
Although highly critical moves, the Mets trade for Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll was a great one. Sanchez is a great set-up man with the ability to close if necessary. Billy Wagner is just a dream come true. He's like a really good, controlled,and left-handed Armando Benitez. Shea will allow him some mistake room as well. The 8th and 9th innings are in great hands.
Defense: B
Carlos Beltran is an animal in the outfield and I'm convinced Cliff Floyd could throw someone out at home plate from the parking lot. David Wright, Jose Reyes, and Kaz Matsui will have to have more command on their throws to first because Carlos Delgado is not a gold glover. Paul Lo Duca will work well with the pitching staff while intimidating potential base stealers. Even though Mike Piazza was the man, we haven't had that defensive confidence behind home plate in years.
Lineup: A
Beautiful. Sexy. Electric. This is a gorgeous thing to look at on paper. Two switch-hitting, speedy guys atop the order (Reyes, Beltran) followed by some combination of DWF (Delgado, Wright and Floyd). A potential lefty-righty-lefty combo in the heart of the order. Lo Duca is a great contact hitter who knows how to get on base. Xavier Nady has had a solid spring training and should be the right fielder. With him and Matsui at the end of the lineup, runs will be scored aplenty.
Overall: A-/B+
Until I see them play together, I will not say that these are the NL East champions. Atlanta could win with 8 players on the field. Philadelphia has an amazingly under-appreciated outfield and power in their lineup. Washington are grinders and should have a solid win total. It will be interesting to watch.
1 comments
Comments:
I think you're assessment of the lineup as an overall "A" is a bit high. An A- might be more appropriate, but as you said, they do offer a tricky lineup featuring a couple switch hitters that throw in some power here and there. They still lack the power of guys like Albert Pujols and David Ortiz, both compliments to stacked teams falling in the "A" range (A- to A+). If Xavier Nady and other small-name players can continue their production along with the bigger names, the Mets might finally end the Braves' reign of the NL East; I see it as very possible, good assessment of the team.
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