I’ve seen tremendous progress here, both as a team and an organization, and I truly see a pennant contender coming out of all this humidity by the end of the 2013 season.
I also have no problem not trading any Mets other than Carlos Beltran and Francisco Rodriguez by the deadline. The Mets were on a roll and we all thought they would remain on that path.
But, it is time to stop dreaming and deal with the reality of the situation. The 2011 Mets have run out of gas, literally. They have played their ass off which have produced maximum production from a number of players. They’ve played through multiple major injuries and went the entire season without an ace.
It’s done folks.
Now, how should the 2011 Mets conduct their business for the remainder of the year?
1. Determine Your Nucleus – This is the list of players you plan to storm the Alamo with next year. My list: Ike Davis, Jose Reyes, David Wright, Lucas Duda, Jason Bay, Jon Niese, R.A. Dickey, Dillon Gee, Pedro Beato, Bobby Parnell.
2. Lick Your Wounds - this would be a good time to rest the walking wounded and shut down the key players you have trying to fight their way back this year. Both Johan Santana and Ike Davis should be sent home with a doctor’s note and put on a program that will get them to Extended Camp in January.
3. Sign Jose Reyes – this is tantamount to success in the next three years, and I believe the Mets will do everything they can do (and still pay their bills) to sign Reyes. I really want this to happen but I think Jose is LA bound. I have no sources on that… it’s just my gut and conversations I have had on the field with various members of the Reyes posse.
4. Play Daniel Murphy at Second Base – You may notice I don’t have Murphy in my nucleus of players… yet. I want this guy to remain a Met but only if he can develop, in the next six months, defensive skills he seems to have unable to develop his entire high school, college, and professional life. I know that sounds harsh, but that’s the reality of the situation.
5. Test the Waivers – Basically, you take everyone that isn’t in your nucleus and waive them. You pull them back if someone claims them and you try and work out a deal with that team for something. The rest that clear are free to be traded, if desired.
6. Sign a Couple if they Clear – There’s nothing wrong with either Scott Hairston or Justin Turner, though I don’t expect Hairston to go this cheap next year. They are killer subs.
6. September Cups of Coffee Should Reflect The Future – Promoting Jesus Feliciano last year was a nice thing, and I’m sure it would be cute to give Val Pascucci a bump come September 1st, but this isn’t going to help build your future. September is for next year’s Buffalo soldiers, in case they will be needed. Bump Chris Schwinden, Jose De La Torre, Josh Satin, Ruben Tejada, and Zach Lutz.
7. Make Bobby Parnell Your 2011 Closer – I’m still not convinced he has the closer makeup, but you might as well give him the ball the rest of the season to see what he has.
I agree. Especially with Parnell being closer. It's obvious That Isringhousen cant to the job anymore. He has the mentality, but not the stuff. Thats where he can help, by mentoring Parnell who has the stuff, but not the mentality. Satin, Lutz, and Pascucci need to receive their call-ups once the rosters expand and i'd actually give Satin steady playing time. Hes the best pure hitter in their system, by far. I have no problem trading any secondary player, as long as that core is untouched, and look forward to next season, both in Queens and especially their minor league, knowing that this franchise has seemingly gathered enough chips at all positions (except catcher) that replacing bad contacts in future seasons doesnt mean another bad contact from an incoming free agent. Positionally, the affliates will soon be able to replace the nightmares in left field and center, while also having some pretty nasty pitching prospects that will make replacing guys like Pelfrey pretty easy. Thinking about 2012, one thing I dont see happening, unless the Wilpons win this weeks Powerball, is the Mets paying an enormous ransom for Yu Darvish, considering their hopefully temporary money woes, and their crop of top shelf pitching prospects. Darvish is Bronx bound. Boston got burned on Dice-K, and the Spankees need that number 2 starter more then they need A-Rod back. I think 2012, will probably be another year like 2011, unless everything falls into place. The Mets need Bay to regain his old form, Davis healthy, Reyes signed, Wright to play like he did up until 2008, , Pagan to play like he did in 2010, Duda to play like he does in AAA, Murphy to play defense, Parnell to close like a closer, and the pitching staff needs to pitch a lot of quality starts. If all of that actually happens, we actually could have a shot at the wild card.
ReplyDeleteRe: 9/11 callups.
ReplyDeleteOf those you mentioned, only Lutz & Tejada are on the 40-man.
What's with that roster? Mejia NOT on the DL? Dale Thayer?
Call ups: - yeah the 40-man needs to be cleaned up big time
ReplyDeleteMejia would definitely be in my nucleus
Mejia still needs to learn how to pitch and was on his way to that before getting hurt. His numbers were elevating when the injury happened, i'd be surprised if he makes this team any time before the all-star break 2013.
ReplyDelete