12/19/11

Three holiday wishes for the New York Mets



As the holidays are just a few days away, I got to thinking about what I would wish for as a Mets fan. I believe that's a trick question, though. This past season saw another visit to the injury ward for the Mets roster and the reemergence of the inept medical staff. In addition, the past season saw embarrassing headline after embarrassing headline.

In the offseason, it actually got worse. With the departure of Jose Reyes and free agent after free agent going to other teams without the Mets even considering them, Mets fans grew impatient. Last week, when the Mets finally made some moves, it was not really embraced by the fans as a whole. While many fans were happy to see the departure of Angel Pagan, many others were questioning the trade overall. The Mets actually won that trade, though. Time will tell on how good Andres Torres will be this season, but Ramon Ramirez was the centerpiece for a deal to strengthen their bullpen. Then, add Jon Rauch and Frankie Francisco to what they already have (Tim Byrdak, Pedro Beato and Bobby Parnell)and the Mets have solidified their biggest weakness. Most fans really haven't realized this. Most of them see that the team has lost Reyes and think that their offense will be bad because of it.


This is not going to be the case.

The offense will be fine. The combination of a change in dimensions and the returned health of Ike Davis, Daniel Murphy and David Wright will more than make up for what the new leadoff hitter will lack. With last season now a thing of the past and the offseason seemingly all but over as far as the Mets are concerned, we move onto 2012.

I have three wishes for the Mets for the upcoming year.

One, I would wish for a full and healthy recovery for Johan Santana. I don't care when in 2012 he returns as long as he returns to his full velocity and capabilities. The Johan Santana that we all know he is capable of being would do wonders for this starting rotation, the younger pitchers in the dugout and the bullpen's durability down the line this season.

Two, I would like the Mets to finally and publicly show the love to David Wright that he deserves. Let's face it. No matter how well the Mets do or don't do this upcoming season, this is a team building for the future. Every Mets fan knows that David Wright lives and breathes New York Mets baseball and has since he was young. His story is legendary within Mets lure. While the teams he has been on have not been the most successful, he is still a marketable image for the team and an excellent example to young players of what they should try to be on and off the field. Why let his contract talks stay on hold this season and risk losing another homegrown talent? The Mets need to sign him to one of those career long type of contracts. This ownership has been highly critical of him and the relentless rumors of trade possibilities have to be getting to him. He needs security to be happy and successful in Queens.

Finally, it is my wish that the Mets would resist the temptation of bringing up their young stud pitchers (Harvey, Familia, Wheeler, etc) too soon. By bringing any of them up this season at any point, they risk the proper development of the talent they have invested in. They have to use patience. As hard as it is to hear for fans, if we see any of them this year, it would be a bad move down the road. Even a September call up can be dangerous to the psyche and confidence if any of them get rocked in the big leagues.

With New Years Day just around the corner, I also have a resolution to add to these holiday wishes. I will resolve to be a more patient and rational fan this year. If all of these wishes come true, it will be an easy task to fulfill, but if just one of these wishes goes awry, it could become increasingly difficult to be patient. But I will try my hardest.

If you, as a fan, had Sandy Alderson's ear for a minute and could tell him what you would like to see the Mets do in 2012, what would you say? What would your wish be? What about your Mets resolution? Tis the season for wishing. Let's see how many come to fruition next season.

8 comments:

David Groveman said...

Hey Frank,

Nice piece. I had a conundrum follow-up... "When is too soon?" (For Harvey, Familia, Mejia and Wheeler)

Let us say Harvey and Familia blow away Spring Training, they have ST ERAs under 2.00 with plenty of K's almost no BBs and they look healthy and sharp... is THAT too soon?

Let us say that they both go to the minors, but see little challenge there and just put up dominant numbers in AAA or AA (wherever they wind up). Is one month long enough in the minors? two? three?

I've read a lot of blogs that caution about bringing up a prospect "Too Early" but "Too Early" is ENTIRELY subjective. The key is that we WANT them to succeed in the majors and we EXPECT them to succeed in the majors. Alderson can only make an educated guess as to when the best time for that promotion is.

Charles said...

Nice post. Good wishes. I'm with you, but am growing increasingly suspicious that Santana has a more troublesome left shoulder then the Mets are willing to say. I believe that in an effort to sell as many tickets as possible, they are selling their players as healthy to the fans. It could be the case for some, but I think Johan's spot in the rotation is like a Jenga set up right now: could fall at any moment. I think come spring training, they'll be a big competition among many players for a new man in the rotation.

Mack Ade said...

Johan Santana is the new John Maine

Frank Gray said...

David, that a great point. It is entirely subjective. From every source I've read though, they plan on not bringing any of them up until at least September call ups maybe not even then.

The following season out of spring training they should all be vying for a spot in the rotation. By then, it will be a complete revamping of the staff with Dickey and Pelfrey gone.

Charlie, Santana worries me. He should be near full velocity by now (nearly a year and a half after the surgery). Still rehabbing is not a good sign. I know that each pitcher responds differently to this injury, but age is a factor too.

He may be more like Mark Prior and never regain his old self. Then, the Mets would be really screwed financially. As Mack eluded to, he would be an overpaid John Maine.

David Groveman said...

@ Frank,

I'm betting the Mets will re-up on R.A. Dickey.

I have them Rose Colored glasses and I see the Mets having decisions to make as early as June with some minor leaguers. (Although that might primarily be Kirk or Reese)

Michael S. said...

David - Harvey and Familia should begin at AAA and Wheeler at AA. That puts the first two on target to Citi in September with Wheeler possibly getting a AAA call-up at mid-season. That tickets him for the rotation to start 2013. Even if Harvey and Familia are killing it in ST, I'd have them begin at AAA and see where they go.

David Groveman said...

@ Michael S,

I agree that I don't think that any of them CAN make the team out of Spring Training. However, you know NY fans. If they shine in the spring and go to the minors and keep truckin'... the Wilpons will pass the order to give the fans what they want.

Charles said...

Which its why Frank said leave them be. Other then Ike, the last few top prospects they promoted prematurely haven't panned out too well. Pelfrey, Milledge, F-Mart(yet, he still is young and could turn it around)...maybe Frank has noticed the track record and is hoping the new front office lets them mature more.