Starting Pitching Preview

With Pedro out until at least August the Mets will give the opportunities to some young guys to show what they can do on the big league stage. After Tom Glavine and Orlando Hernandez the rotation is comprised of John Maine, Oliver Perez, and Mike Pelfrey. I expect another solid year from Glavine, who needs only 10 wins to get to 300, which should be an incredible spectacle, which we only hope will happen at Shea. El Duque is good for a few missed starts and a couple trips to the DL, but what can you expect from a guy who turns 73 in July, other than that he should impress and have a solid season when he's healthy. John Maine had a brilliant rookie year last year, putting up a 3.10 ERA and at one point throwing 26 consecutive scoreless innings. After a solid spring i see no reason for him to not grow on what he built last year. Oliver Perez is a real wild card, which Oliver Perez will we get, the guy who threw 6 innings of 1 run ball in Game 7 of the NLCS or the guy who was 3-13 last year with an ERA over 6, only time will tell, but he's got the stuff to be perfect any night he steps on the hill. Mike Pelfrey beat out a cast of veterans and young guys to earn his role as the teams fifth starter. Pelfrey was decent in his rookie debut last season, and should build on that this year, especially with the addition of his slider to his repertoire. The Mets have guys in the bullpen, Aaron Sele and Chan Ho Park, and in the minors, Jorge Sosa, Jason Vargas, and Phil Humber, who could step in and fill a spot at any time in the season. Should the Mets be lucky enough to get Pedro back in August or September look for him to contribute during the stretch run. I see the starting pitching not being as big of a problem as so many of the "experts" think it will be.

Right Field Preview

As we finish up our position player previews we get to another position that is pretty much all set. It appears as though Willie is going to start Shawn Green in Right Field over Lastings Milledge to start the season. Although Green's bat has been warming up recently Milledge has been hitting well over .300 the whole spring. If Green starts to struggle in April and May i suspect Willie will have a tough decision to make regarding sitting down his $4 million veteran for a league minimum prospect. Pecota says Green will hit .273/.343/.424 in the 7 hole for the Mets and also add 10 home runs and 45 RBI. Surprisingly Pecota has Green's numbers pretty low, what else is new. If Green plays the majority of the season for the Mets there is a good chance he will drive in a lot more runs that 45.

Pecota thinks Milledge is a better fit and would have a more productive year than Green. They have Milledge hitting .285/.356/.481 and hitting 17 Home Runs and 66 RBI. They also have him adding 18 stolen bases, and he'd absolutely be an upgrade in the field with his speed and his arm. Look for Milledge to get a realistic look if Green begins to struggle.

I am really becoming a huge Lastings Milledge fan and i hope that the Mets do not trade him. It seems as though he is really growing up and working on becoming a great ball player. He even got a haircut and thankfully stopped wearing that ridiculous cross, although it was one of the funnier things I've seen a rookie do.

Center Field Preview

It'll be hard for Carlos Beltran to have a better statistical year than he did in 2006. He also added a Gold Glove to his trophy case. Beltran needs to have a similar year to what he did this year hitting in the three spot in the lineup again this year. Beltran hit .275/.388/.594 and added 41 Home Runs and 116 RBI. If he can have a similar year offensively, the Mets will be very happy with their center fielder. Pecota sees him having a little worse of a year than last year hitting, .286/.381./.530, also hitting 30 home runs and only 90 RBI. In this lineup Beltran should be able to hit in 90 runs with his eyes closed. I'd imagine this average numbers looking about right, but his power and RBI totals should end up being a little bit higher at the end of the season.

Backing up Beltran will be the defensive gem Endy Chavez. He is one of the best bench players on the team and is a solid fill in on Beltran's off days. If he should go down for a long period of time there is a chance Milledge would fill in if he continues to hit in the minors like he is this spring. Although Milledge could be a significant downgrade defensively.

The Mets are very excited for their center fielders future and couldn't be happier they have him for 5 more years at his young age.

Left Field Preview

Now, on to the outfield. The Mets replaced the oft-injured, yet clubhouse and fan favorite, Cliff Floyd with Moises Alou. Alou, although in his early 40s, when healthy, Alou dominates left handed pitchers. Alou hit .349 against lefties last season while playing for the Giants and had 20 go ahead hits throughout the season. Alou is just a professional hitter, for his whole career he has had a great grasp on finding gaps and driving in runs. Alou can be a bit of a defensive liability at times, but his hitting, and the fact that a Gold Glove Center Fielder plays next to him will help him out tremendously. Pecota sees him hitting .287/.355/.484, which is a pretty large improvement in OBP, based on their lower average projection. They only see him hitting 14 home runs and driving in only 48 RBI, even if he plays only half the year, he'd have to drive in more, based solely on the lineup he is in. I see him with similar numbers, but about 18 homers and 80 RBI.

Chances are Alou will only play about 120-125 games even if he stays healthy, which isn't guaranteed. If he does get injured for an extended amount of time there is a good chance Lastings Milledge is called up to fill in, that is if he hasn't taken right field away from Shawn Green by then, leaving Endy Chavez on the bench, where he is strongest. Ben Johnson also has a shot at filling in for Alou on either off days or if an injury occurs. The Mets have some solid young players and prospects should something go wrong with one of their older outfielders. They are in pretty good shape if something were to go terribly wrong, although Alou's bat will be missed in any lineup. On his occasional off day look for either Chavez, Newhan, or Ben Johnson, should be make the team out of spring training, fill in for Moises Alou.

The Mets should expect some solid production out of Alou this season, and more importantly some protection in the lineup for the big guns like Beltran, Delgado and Wright.

Shortstop Preview

Like third base, the Mets couldn't be more comfortable with the other half of the left side of the infield. Jose Reyes will hold down the fort at short this season again, coming off an incredible year, doing things that haven't been done in 80 years, (at least 17 singles, doubles, triples and home runs) Reyes should only continue to grow as a player. Pecota sees Reyes having a bit of a worse year statistically than last year, going .290/.335/.445, hitting 14 Home Runs, 11 Triples, and stealing 61 bases. All down from last year, Pecota seems to be pretty conservative with their numbers for most players though, especially younger ones who aren't named Pujols.

Backing up Reyes, will likely be Damion Easley or, barring a disastrous injury, Anderson Hernandez. Easley will fill in well on the occasional day off Willie gives Reyes, cause we all know Willie can't stand having Reyes jumping around in the dugout all day.

The left side of the infield shouldn't be a concern for the Mets hopefully for the next decade, but we know atleast for the next 4 years, arguably the most exciting player in baseball will be playing short for the Mets. Hard to believe this kid is only 23 years old.

Third Base Preview

Although David Wright claims he'd move his position if Alex Rodriguez comes over after this season Mets fans and management know they have their third baseman of the future already on their team, for at least 6 more years. David Wright struggled a little bit the second half of last year and he was admittedly over matched in the playoffs. I feel as though David should have a solid year this year though. Pecota sees him hitting .306/.389/.558 with 29 home runs and 95 RBI. I like his numbers, with the exception of RBI, as long as Wright stays in that 5 spot in the lineup he should have plenty of opportunities to get RBI and with his ability to go the other way he should be able to come somewhere close to last years RBI total of 116. Wright should have another good year at the plate and should be able to develop into an even better hitter, the kid is only 23 years old, its hard to believe sometimes that he is that young.

Backing up Wright, on the rare day he allows Willie to give him a day off, will most likely be Newhan or even Julio Franco is he's feeling young that day. Wright played in 154 games last year, and will probably play a few less this year, due to him getting a little tired down the stretch last year, but in those games expect Newhan to fill in fine and take care of the bottom of the lineup on those days.

Third base is a spot the Mets should not be worried about for a very long time, this makes Mets fan very happy, knowing David Wright will be holding down the hot corner for a long time.

Second Base Preview

Second Base isn't as clear cut as the rest of positions for the Mets this season. Although Jose Valentin is the favorite to win the position, if he struggles and a guy like Anderson Hernandez or Ruben Gotay could steal the job with some solid numbers this spring. Both are superior defensively to Valentin, but at the plate is where both struggle much more than Valentin. Valentin is 37 going into the season and if he begins to slip offensively at all, the Mets could have a decision to make regarding the every day second baseman. Pecota has Valentin dropping a little bit at .249/.328/.458 with 11 home runs and 36 RBI. As long as Valentin average stays around the spot it did last year, .273, with sporadic power and the ability to drive in runs when there are runners in scoring position he should be able to keep his position the whole season, but if he begins to struggle look for Mets fans to get antsy regarding Valentin.

When Valentin needs a day off expect either Damion Easley or David Newhan to fill in for him. Both have experience at the position and would be a fine fill-in in the eight hole. Expect both Anderson Hernandez and Ruben Gotay to start the season in the minors getting regular playing time, especially since Willie likes to have veteran guys on the bench, as opposed to young guys.

The Mets shouldn't be that worried about the second base position, considering it is the only position that is lacking offensively. As long as whoever plays gets by and does their job it shouldn't be that big of an issue due to the power and talent of the other seven batters in the lineup.

Check out this video of Gotay and Hernandez flashing a little leather after Joe Smith induced another ground ball during yesterday's game:

First Base Preview

The Mets have the same situation as last year with First Base. Carlos Delgado will get all the playing time, with Julio Franco filling in on days that willie gives the big guy a rest. Delgado had another solid year last year, even though he struggled for two whole months at the plate. He hit .265 with 38 homers and 114 RBI. Pecota projects him to have a weaker year this year, at .271, with 27 homers and 81 RBI. I don't see him losing much power, considering he slumped for all of May and June and still hit 38 home runs last year. Delgado has not hit less than 99 RBI in the last 8 seasons, and I don't see that discontinuing this year, with the table setters, Reyes and LoDuca, and Beltran in front of him he should have plenty of opportunities to knock in his fair share of runs. I feel like he'll hit about .275 with 35 Home Runs and 110 RBI. The Mets are very solid at first base again this year.

Julio Franco will primarily back up Delgado on his off days. The soon to be 49 year old is starting to decline a little bit, but his help in the clubhouse for younger players, like Milledge, and even some older players, like Beltran, make him an asset for this team. His spirit and knowledge make this team better, even if his bat slips a little.

Catcher Preview

After offseason surgery to repair his thumb, Paul Lo Duca will return as the Mets starting catcher this season, after hitting .318 last year he proved to be a legitimate 2 hitter behind Jose Reyes. He also was a great help to all 13 pitchers the Mets threw out on the mound over the course of the season. Lo Duca is in the walk year of his contract and wants to earn an extension to stay with the Mets, if he does what he did last year the Mets would have no problem keeping him around for a few more years.

The Mets signed Sandy Alomar Jr. to a minor league contract, but i suspect that Ramon Castro will remain as the teams backup catcher. The Mets will only carry 2 catchers, those being Lo Duca and Castro. Like in the past decade, the Mets will have a strong leader behind the plate.

Look for Lo Duca to have another solid year, hopefully putting up numbers similar to last year. I predict he will hit .310 with an OBP around .345. More importantly he will continue to hit well with 2 strikes and give Reyes as many possible chances to run. Look for the table setters to continue to do their job in 2007.

BASEBALL IS BACK

Just like the rest of baseball, i took a little hiatus from writing about it, but guess what, Pitchers and Catchers have reported, position players are due in tomorrow and baseball is officially alive and well. I'll be working on some position previews in the next few weeks, discussing rising stars, young studs and everything else that we know and love about the game.

I'm really looking forward to this season, i think the Mets have something really special that they are workin on here. To hold you over, here is a video that made me really appreciate an often under appreciated player, Lastings Milledge, check it out.



This is our Year!

Mets Sign Scott Shoeneweis for 3 Years

According to the AP the Mets have inked Scott Schoeneweis for a 3 year deal worth 10.8 million dollars. Schoeneweis was 4-2 with a 4.88 ERA and four saves in 71 games last year in split action between the Blue Jays and the Reds.

This deal doesn't really make too much sense to me. They refused to give Chad Bradford 11 million for 3 years, but give Schoeneweis pretty much the same deal. This really goes against everything the Mets have been preaching all winter. Scott Boras did it again, he managed to confuse another team for more money than his player is worth.


Good to be back.

Glavine to Rejoin Mets for 1 More Year

ESPN news is reporting that Tom Glavine and the New York Mets have agreed on a 1-year deal, worth 10.5 million dollars. He was also given an option for 2008, if he pitches 160 innings he will get $6 million, and it goes up $1 million for every 10 ininngs up to $10 million dollars. From what I can gather the Braves never even offered Glavine a contract to play for them next year.

This is a solid deal, $10.5 Million is a solid price for a guy who's only going to be on the team for 1 more year. In this market, $10.5 Million for a guy who won 15 games and had an incredible post season is another great deal by Omar. Granted, he probably wanted to go back to Atlanta, but didn't have the option, though, he will have the best chance at winning his 300th game, getting another ring, and being on a winning team.


This means that the Mets can finally move on and focus on either signing Barry Zito or trading for another big starting pitcher to strengthen what was the weakest part of the 2006 Mets. This makes Minaya's job a little bit easier, because he isn't so strapped to get an ace, because he has Glavine in the hole.

Mets Make Moves

Over the past couple of days the Mets have been pretty busy. They signed Moises Alou to a one-year deal worth 7.5 million dollars with a 2008 team option worth $7.5 million with a $1 million buyout. They also traded Henry Owens and Matt Lindstrom for Jason Vargas and Adam Bostick from the Marlins, Vargas and Bostick are both 23 year old left handed starting pitchers. They also declined Tom Glavine's 2007 option, they paid him a $3 million buyout.

First, the Alou signing. This is a great signing in my eyes. I believe that Alou will be a great stop gap for one year, he is a very solid right handed bat who crushes left handed pitching, the guy can just rake, which is exactly what the Mets needed. He also will provide some protection for David Wright in the lineup, and will be given many opportunities for RBI. If he can get 400 ABs he could have a great year. As long as he stays healthy I see him having a very solid year, but as we found out with the 2006 Mets, that is an enormous IF.

The trade with the Marlins was a little surprising, but finding young starting lefties is hard to do, so it works out. There is really no room for Owens and Lindstrom in the bullpen, who are both getting into their upper 20's in the minors. We really won't know how this deal worked out for a few years, but I think a guy like Vargas can become a solid National League pitcher.

Everyone knew that they would decline Glavine's option. It seems as though they have a deal on the table that Glavine has agreed to, but is waiting to hear from the Braves. It seems as though proximity to his family might be the only reason he goes back to Atlanta, if he wants a chance at another ring, his best bet is to stay in Queens, which I think he will eventually do.

Milledge On The Way Out?

According to Ken Davidoff of Newsday the Mets are interested in shipping out Milledge for either a big bat or a big time pitcher. His named has been linked to deal around Manny Ramirez (will this one ever end), Vernon Wells, Jake Peavy, Dontrelle Willis, and many others, including some White Sox starters.

This is the same thing we've been hearing for the last 18 months, but with a new name inserted every few months. Like I've said all along, if you can find the right deal, there is no reason to keep Milledge. Lately, with his refusal to play winter ball, the Mets have been annoyed with him. It may be time to send him packing, especially if you can get a big time player in return. His stock may also have dropped a little with the Mets as Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez continue to turn into top OF prospects. Again, only time will tell, but ever since Minaya has come aboard, the offseasons have been just as eventful as the regular season.

Mets Acquire Ben Johnson and Jon Adkins from Padres

According to Ken Rosenthal the Mets have traded Royce Ring and Heath Bell to the Padres for RHP Jon Adkins and OF Ben Johnson.

This is a decent trade I guess, spare parts for spare parts, but you have to like Minaya in a deal like this, he always seems to get the guy he feels will excel in a deal like this. Sanchez and Mota last year are definitely guys who come to mind. We'll see how this trade works out next year, but these two guys were considered decent prospects and could be worth it, only time will tell though, like most prospects.

Mets Close to Resigning El Duque; Interested in Zito

According the Mark Hale's article in the New York Post the Mets are close to resigning Orlando Hernandez to a 2-year, $6 Million contract. Also, he notes that the Mets have interest in signing Barry Zito, although he's not sure if they want to sign him at 5-years, $73 million, which it looks like will be lowest amount he'd sign for. Hale also notes the Mets have interest in Vicente Padilla.

I like the El Duque contract, he loves to pitch, loves to win and is a great clubhouse guy, no reason not to bring him back. Although they will have to overpay, i feel like bringing Zito in would be a great signing. He has the stuff to truly dominate in the National League. Padilla is an interesting pitcher, i feel like he'd be nothing better than a number 3 starter, so he shouldn't be signed at anything more than type of money.

Mets Break Ground on CitiField

The Mets have just broken ground on the new stadium, which is sponsored by Citigroup. It is being named CitiField.

It could be worse than being sponsored by Citi. It's got a New York ring to it. It looks like the new park is going to be amazing and really makes me look forward to 2009.

Reports: Valentin and Mets Agree on 1-Year Deal

According to ESPN.com the Mets and Jose Valentin have agreed on a 1 year deal worth atleast $3 million.

This is surprising how fast they resigned him, especially since he said he doesn't want to be a role player, but a starter. I'm not sure that he can be guaranteed a starting position this early in the off season. Very interesting to resign this early.

Reyes and Beltran win Silver Slugger Award

Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes each won the Silver Slugger award today, presented by Louisville Slugger. This was the first time either won the Award. ESPN.com has an entire list of everyone else who was given the award.

This goes to show that people obviously know that Beltran is a great hitter, but more importantly, they are recognizing Reyes as a great hitter. Congratulations to both Beltran and Reyes.

Notes

Well, back after a little Hiatus, haven't been able to post the last few days.

A few things that happened since i posted last time.

According the AP, Tom Glavine has officially filed for Free Agency

This is not a surprise, he wanted to explore his options either way, so the chances he resigns with the Mets are the same they have always been.

The Seibu Lions have recieved the highest bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka, but the public won't know who put in the highest bid until the Lions formally accept.

Buzz from around the league is that the Lions will accept before the end of the day. So hopefully we will know one way or another by tonight. This should give us a better idea of which direction the Mets will go for starting pitching.

Reyes and Wright had a solid week in Japan, Reyes hit a walk off home run in the last game of the series, which was followed by the entire starting starting the "Jose, Jose" chant.

Pretty Crazy, sounds like this kid is becoming an international star.