Michael's Place

During the off-season when the Mets picked up Pedro Martinez and released Al Leiter I had complained. I felt the Mets were wasting money on another washed up free agent, while Leiter, a long-time Met and known quantity would probably win 15 games. I was very wrong. Pedro's having a great year for the Mets...his 2.95 ERA and 190 Ks have him among the lead leaders and his 13-7 record should probably be 18-3 if weren't for the Mets inconsistent offense and their bullpen blowing a bunch of his starts. Leiter, on the other hand was released mid-season by the Marlins.

It is with desperate hope that the same baseball gods that mocked my Martinez/Leiter prediction are listening now when I proclaim the current season over. I know, I know...ya gotta believe. I did believe. Until last night. After a great 9-2 stretch the Mets were within 1/2 game of taking over the wild-card lead. That now seems like 2 months ago. Since then they've lost 10 of 12, mostly to division rivals and are now 5 1/2 games out of the wildcard running. Making matters more insurmountable is the fact that there are four teams above them, most of which will be playing games against each other for the rest of the season. On any given night the Mets can only gain ground on 1/2 of these teams...if they were to start winning.

So, being at the point of the season where losses will no longer upset me, nor wins please me, I figured I'd reflect a little on the past season before turning my focus over to football.

The pleasant surprises:

Pedro - As a National League fan I never really got the chance to watch Pedro pitch. As I wrote before, I thought he'd be washed up and have a year like the Big Unit has had for the Yankees. But not only has he had a great season, he's extremely exciting to watch and has brought some much needed excitement and attitude to the Mets.

David Wright and Jose Reyes: How awesome are these guys? At 22 and 23 years old, these guys will make the Mets exciting for years to come.  Wright, in his first full year is going to lead the Mets in RBIs and Average (currently 21HR, 87 RBI, .314). Reyes will lead the whole league (or be 2nd to Juan Pierre) in triples and stolen bases. Both do well in the clutch. And both are getting better every day.

Cliff Floyd: In one of his first seasons where he stayed healthy all year Floyd is putting up near-MVP numbers (.273, 29HR, 85RBI). The near-MVP would be MVP if it weren't for Beltran batting in front of him.

Roberrto Hernandez - Who would've thought this 40 year-old would be the only bright spot in the Mets bullpen?

Jae Seo - 5 and 0 with a 1.79 ERA in last 6 starts.

Rookies, Bench, and Role Players - Victor Diaz, Ramon Castro, Chris Woodward, Mike Jacobs, Marlon Anderson...no matter who the Mets plugged in, spot started, pinch hit with, they all did great this year.

The big disappointments::

Carlos Beltran - For $900 million per year, you have to do better than .271, 14HR, 65RBI and 16 SB. And although those numbers may not seem horrible, they are very soft. There were just too many inning-ending double plays or pop-ups in the late innings of close games. If Beltran had the year that was expected, the Mets are in the playoffs. I'm hoping that this was just a first-year-in-the-big-apple slump, similar to that of A-Rod. 

Braden Looper - I really shouldn't classify Looper as a disappointment. Before the season started I knew he didn't have what it took to be a closer. (Not that I'm an expert as per my Pedro prediction). But it wasn't like I had an expectation or hope that he'd be good and he disappointed me. This guy is horrible. During his jog from the bullpen he already has the expression of a pitcher that blew a save. Not since Doug Sisk do I dread the Mets having a close lead in the late innings. Two nights ago was the best...Mets winning in Atlanta 2-1 only 3 1/2 out of wild card. Looper comes in for the save in bottom of the 9th and gives up a couple doubles, blows the save, gets out of the inning. Top of the 10th Mets score to take 3-2 lead. Bottom of the 10th, Looper gives up a single, then plunks the next batter, then gets an 0-2 count on next batter (two fouled off bunts...not good pitching) but winds up walking him to load the bases with no out. (Mets pull Looper and next scrub reliever gives up 2 run single) Looper blew the game not once, but twice. That takes talent. Please release or trade this guy.

Farewells

Mike Piazza - This is likely Piazza's last season with the Mets since he'll likely retire to the league where old players go and DH for a few years. He had some great years for the Mets but I'll probably respect him most for the classy way he handled his moving from the clean-up spot to 5th, then 6th, then 7th in the Mets order this year.

A good year from Beltran and a new closer and 2006 is the Mets!