First Half Met Impressions

[HahnSolo]

I'm much more enthused about this team than I ever imagined I would be, especially considering the injuries. I've really been looking forward to tuning in each night. Now, a lot of that had to do with Jose's torrid pace, but I'm happy. Yeah, things could always be better, and we'd be in a lot better shape if we were in, oh, the NL Central, but they've given me a lot more positive than negative.

[metirish]

Ceetar wrote: seawolf17 wrote: bmfc1 wrote: TransMonk wrote: If we're putting starters up on the block, I'd rather keep Cappy and trade Pelfrey. Oh yeah. Absolutely. There are plenty of guys who could bring real value. I'd deal Pagan and Dickey too. Yes, because watching Jason Pridie play CF all next year, that'll be fun. I'm not sure there's any real net value in trading away parts we need, particularly reasonably affordable ones, for prospects.

like a right fielder, I'd just as soon sign Beltran at an affordable rate for a few more seasons.

[metirish]

Looking at Belran's contract I see this

club agreed to not offer arbitration after 2011 season

that has an impact in the thought process I would think?

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2004/12/new-york-mets.html

[Ceetar]

metirish wrote: Looking at Belran's contract I see this club agreed to not offer arbitration after 2011 season that has an impact in the thought process I would think? http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2004/12/new-york-mets.html

yeah, thoughts are that it makes it more likely they'll trade him.

I'd love it if they could sign Beltran at an affordable rate. doubt it'd happen. Or that you can trust in a player of his age. And a Boras client. Then again, there are a couple of outfield prospects floating around the Mets system, that oculd probably step in and replace Beltran if he did wear down next year.

Added snag of the renegotated CBA altering free agent compensation.

[Theoldmole]

I'm chuffed, because it's the Mets!!!

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Maybe it's the residual effects of last week's fever, but I'm still semi-chuffed.

How long has it been since you, apostrophic Met fan, realistically expected a tough at-bat-- much less a cause-advancing hit-- from the 8-hole with two outs? Felt good about the future prospects of multiple Met pitchers under the age of 25-26... and then watched those prospects bear out before your eyes, against live competition? Ached at a loss to the overinflated fuckers across town, NOT because they're just the overinflated fuckers from across town, but because we had a realistic shot of sweeping the damn in-season series... without the four best players on the team?

We're getting no draft picks from Beltran, and neither is anybody else (dropping his trade value considerably even IF you eat salary). So trade Frankie-- for peanuts or, if you'd prefer, a more upscale, macadamia-ish nut-- and let it f*cking ride.

[metirish]

From David Lennon

Mets midseason report card

1B/3B DANIEL MURPHY Injuries have forced Murphy to alternate between the corner infield spots, which he's handled adequately. Where Murphy feels comfortable is at the plate. He's miscast in the cleanup spot, but Murphy is hitting .345 with RISP and his .305 BA is second only to Jose Reyes. GRADE: B+ 2B/3B JUSTIN TURNER Probably the only Met who wasn't looking forward to the All-Star break after his four-hit performance on the final day. An unlikely RBI machine after his callup, Turner was the first Met to ever win Rookie of the Month honors. A bruised thumb cooled him off a little. GRADE: B+ SS/2B RUBEN TEJADA An excellent glove, Tejada has made strides offensively, showing better patience and an ability to extend at-bats. At .261, he's a decent No. 8 hitter. GRADE: B- SS JOSE REYES Not much else to say here. Reyes was an MVP candidate before suffering the Grade 1 hamstring strain on July 2 and is one of the most dangerous players in the game. Also looked better defensively, showing more of a skill to make the spectacular play at short. GRADE: A+ LF JASON BAY His season has defied explanation. Bay went a career-high 104 at-bats without a home run, a stretch that lasted 29 games, then hit four in two weeks, including two on July 5 against the Dodgers. Since then, he's in a 1-for-19 skid that dropped him to .237. GRADE: C- CF ANGEL PAGAN Missed nearly five weeks (rib) and struggled as he was moved around the lineup early on. But in Reyes' absence, Pagan has forced himself to be more disciplined in the leadoff spot, and is trying to be just as much of a pest on the basepaths (18 SB). GRADE: B- RF CARLOS BELTRAN His resurgence, made possible by two healthy knees, has been the Mets' biggest surprise. Beltran earned his sixth All-Star appearance by hitting .285 with 13 HRs and 58 RBIs. But playing in 89 of the first 91 games is the most remarkable statistic. Grade: A+ C JOSH THOLE After a poor start, Thole finished the first half hitting .333 (26-for-78) with 10 RBIs in the last 26 games. His defense continues to be an issue, and he's steadily losing playing time to the more experienced Ronny Paulino. GRADE: C C RONNY PAULINO Seemed like a regrettable signing early on after he showed up late to spring training and then missed the first month because of anemia. But Paulino, who is batting .320 in 41 games, has seen spot duty as the cleanup hitter and is the personal catcher for Mike Pelfrey. GRADE: B ROTATION MIKE PELFREY Terry Collins said he did Pelfrey an "injustice" by naming him as the Mets' No. 1 starter, and that's a nice way of saying he's not living up to expectations. Remains inconsistent, and 5-8 with a 4.55 ERA is not exactly "ace" material. GRADE: C JONATHON NIESE When he's on, Niese can be almost unhittable with his looping curveball. At 24, in his second full season, Niese still is learning to pitch, and should be a reliable member of the rotation for years to come. GRADE: B+ R.A. DICKEY The Mets put so much faith in Dickey they gave him his first guaranteed contract (2 years, $7.8 million) at age 36. But knuckleballers can be as erratic as the pitch itself, and Dickey also has been bothered by foot an hip injuries. Still, a 3.61 ERA deserves better than a 4-7 record. GRADE: B CHRIS CAPUANO Unlike Chris Young, the winter's other reclamation project, Capuano has stayed healthy to become the most known quantity in the rotation. Rarely dominant, Capuano's forte is a decent six innings almost every time out. GRADE: B+ DILLON GEE Nudged himself into the All-Star conversation after surging to 7-0 with a 2.86 ERA in his first 13 starts. Since then, Gee has slipped to 1-3 with a 6.35 ERA in his last four outings. Grade: A- RELIEVERS FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ Had a lot to overcome after a tumultuous offseason, but Rodriguez has looked like an elite closer again. With 23 saves, and 34 games finished, K-Rod will remain an intriguing figure after the break. GRADE: A- JASON ISRINGHAUSEN His grip on the set-up job is being challenged by Bobby Parnell, but Isringhausen has proved to be one of Sandy Alderson's biggest offseason bargains. With a 3.14 ERA, and 21 strikeouts in 28.2 innings, Izzy brings more to the bullpen than veteran leadership. GRADE: B+ BENCH SCOTT HAIRSTON He provided one of the first half's best highlights with his tie-breaking homer off the Giants' Brian Wilson. But he's still only 4-for-27 as a pinch hitter and batting .245 with zero HRs against lefthanders. LUCAS DUDA He has cracked the lineup at first base and is batting .296 (16-for-54) with eight RBIs in the last 15 games. WILLIE HARRIS His playing time has nearly dried up completely. GRADE: C THE MISSING IKE DAVIS He was the Mets' most dangerous hitter through 36 games, batting .302 (39-for-129) with seven HRs and 25 RBIs, but he's been on the DL since May 11 with an ankle bone bruise. DAVID WRIGHT His slow start (.226) was explained by a stress fracture of his lower back, and he should get a chance at redemption shortly after the break. Grade: Incomplete MANAGER TERRY COLLINS In his first season, Collins deserves credit for pulling this team out of its 5-13 start -- no easy task with the negativity already building around the Mets because of a recent history of failure and ownership's financial issues. With the losses of Davis and Wright, Collins also has done a great job grooming their young replacements. Collins says he's not thrilled by a 46-45 record at the break. But in the tough NL East, he's kept a beat-up roster on the edge of the wild-card race by fostering a team concept and cutting off potential distractions. Grade: A

[TransMonk]

He's a little high on Pelfrey, Bay and Frankie. Where are the rest of the relievers?

It's a hell of a curve when the lowest grade is a C-.

[metirish]

TransMonk wrote: He's a little high on Pelfrey, Bay and Frankie. Where are the rest of the relievers? It's a hell of a curve when the lowest grade is a C-.

several players missing...too high on Dickey and Pagan to add to your list.

[Fman99]

I'm moderately chuff. Or some nutty Irish thing. I don't know. Let's go Mets!

[Guest Edgy DC]

I don't want Dickey or Pagan traded, but I don't expect they'd go without an accessible plan to replace them in place.

OE: But seriously, lads: Root for wins, not trades.

[ashie62]

I'm more like chafed.

I just want Wright, Davis, Reyes and Santana back in one piece..Thats it..

[Ceetar]

Ashie62 wrote: I'm more like chafed. I just want Wright, Davis, Reyes and Santana back in one piece..Thats it..

and everyone to stay in one piece.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

The team has been better than I anticipated particularly in view of the injuries (Wright, Davis, and Santana) they have had to overcome. As i whole, i like this team more than recent additions, because they seem to have more heart. This team just never seems to give up. As Art Howe would say, "this team battles."