2008 Record: 89-73 .549
Run differential: +84 (3rd)
2008 payroll: $138,293,378
Last season the Mets were determined to put their epic collapse of 2006 behind them. But it took them a little while to find their groove as they struggled to a 40-42 after the first three months. But the Mets rebounded by going 18-8 in July. They even went 11-7 vs the Phillies. Unfortunately for Met fans going 13-12 in September and losing on the season’s final day allowed the Phillies to win the division and Milwaukee to squeak past them for the Wild Card.
Much scrutiny lay upon their bullpen’s inability to hold leads down the stretch so once the offseason began GM Omar Minaya decided do a complete overhaul it up by signing KRod and trading for JJ Putz and groundball machine Sean Green. What Met fans should really be concerned about is the rest of the lineup. Yes, the Mets finished 2nd in the NL in runs scored last year but a team with David Wright, Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, and Carlos Delgado should have a GREAT offense not a good one. That speaks volumes for the lack of production the team gets from C, 2b, LF, and RF. Considering the Mets did nothing to address these issues, fans shouldn’t be expecting this team to be much better than last season.
Likely opening day roster:
| Pos. | Name | Salary | How Acquired |
| C | Brian Schneider | $4.9 M | Acquired in trade w/ Was 11/30/07 |
| C | Ramon Castro | $2.5 M | Signed as FA 12/04. Resigned 11/16/2007 |
| 1b | Carlos Delgado | $12 M | Acquired in trade w/ Fla 11/05. NYM picked up ‘09 option 10/08 |
| 2b | Luis Castillo | $6 M | Acquired in trade w/ Min 7/30/07. Resigned 11/19/2007 |
| 3b | David Wright | $7.5 M | Drafted 2001 #38 overall. |
| SS | José Reyes | $5.75 M | Signed as amateur FA 2000 from D.R. |
| LF | Danny Murphy | $.390 M | Drafted 3rd rd 2006 |
| CF | Carlos Beltran | $18.5 M | Signed as FA 1/2005 |
| RF | Ryan Church | $2.8 M | Acquired in trade w/ Was 11/30/07 |
| 2b/of | Marlon Anderson | $2.2 M | Acquired in trade w/ Was 8/06. Resigned 11/6/07 |
| Inf | Alex Cora | $2.0 M | Signed as FA 1/22/09 |
| Of | Jeremy Reed | $.925 M | Acquired in trade w/ Sea 12/10/08 |
| Of | Fernando Tatís | $1.7 M | Signed as FA 1/8/08. Resigned 10/30/08 |
| SP | Johan Santana | $20 M | Acquired in trade w/ Min 2/2/08 |
| SP | John Maine | $2.6 M | Drafted 6th rd 2002 |
| SP | Oliver Perez | $12 M | Acquired in trade w/ Pit 7/31/06. Resigned 2/2/09 |
| SP | Mike Pelfrey | $5.25 M | Drafted 2005 #9 overall |
| SP | Tim Redding | $2.25 M | Signed as FA 1/9/09 |
| Cl | Francisco Rodríguez | $11.5 M | Signed as FA 12/9/08 |
| Setup | JJ Putz | $5.0 M | Acquired in trade w/ Sea 12/10/08 |
| RP | Pedrio Feliciano | $1.61 M | Signed as FA from Japan 12/05 |
| RP | Sean Green | $.405 M | Acquired in trade w/ Sea 12/10/08 |
| RP | Duaner Sanchez | $1.69 M | Acquired in trade w/ LA 1/4/06 |
| RP | Jonathon Niese | $.390 M | Drafted 7th rd 2005 |
| RP | Darren O’Day | $.390 M | Selected in Rule V draft 12/11/08 |
Say hello to: Francisco Rodriguez, JJ Putz, Sean Green, Connor Robertson, Jeremy Reed, Tim Redding, Alex Cora
Wave goodbye: Scott Schoenweis, Joe Smith, Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez, Jason Vargas, Pedro Martinez, Moises Alou
Rookies: Jonathon Niese, Danny Murphy
Potential breakout: Sean Green
Welcome to Earth: Fernando Tatis. While I think he's a solid platoon player, don't expect a .299 EqA again
Non Roster Invitees to watch: Livan Hernandez, Freddy Garcia, Tony Armas, Bobby Kielty, José Valentín
Strenghts: Defense up the middle. Three of the best young players in the NL
Weaknesses: Not a lot of offense at C, 2b, LF. Ryan Church is a platoon player playing everyday.
Improvements: Bullpen!
Payroll obligations to former players: Scott Schoenweis ($1.6M)
Optimal batting lineup (position, name, bats, Avg/OBP/SLG, HR, SB, EqA)
SS Reyes B .297/.358/.475 16, 56 .294
CF Beltran B .284/.376/.500 27, 25, .307
3B Wright R .302/.390/.534 33, 15, .320
1B Delgado L .271/.353/.518 38, 1, .296
RF Church L .276/.346/.439 12, 2, .274
LF Tatis/Murphy* R/L .297/.369/.484 11, 3, .299
2B Castillo B .245/.355/.305 3, 17, .257
C Schneider R .257/.339/.367 9, 0, .252
*Tatis stats only
Prediction: 1st place NL East
3 comments:
I like Ryan Church for some reason. I think he provides some surprising offense this year. I believe the real reason this team underachieves on offense is Beltran. That guy is playing well but he should be playing great. Delgado's jekyll and hyde routine on offense could disappear for offensive production sake. The pitching staff has a major hole between the top of the rotation and the two mighty closers but there some outstanding parts in that staff. I say they take state (division).
Sean Green is a ground ball machine. Pedro Feliciano is nasty on lefties. The Met bullpen is freakin awesome.
This is already showing what I was afraid it would show. The Mets are stocked with mid- and high-priced veteran players that give them experience and depth.
That said, I don't see much of a pitching staff after Santana. Unless they get off to a really fast start, winning 89 games again will be difficult. If this is a three-team race (Mets, Phils, Braves), it might only take 86 wins to take the division.
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