The LTJ Editorial: “This just isn't going to be that kind of season”

“The LTJ Editorial”
Author: Luis Tirado Jr.
Date: 8-2-13
Twitter: @LTJ81
Website: http://www.TheNYExpress.com

“This just isn't going to be that kind of season”

We all got excited, especially after the All-Star game. The NY Mets were going into the All-Star break after winning several series on the road and were only about eight games out of first place. Yes, they were still 4^th in the National League East but still, there was hope that if they kept winning, they wouldn't be too far off in chasing the Atlanta Braves. Then, once again, the cold harsh reality hit that once again after the All-Star break, everything would start going from bad to worse. The Mets would start losing close games and getting clobbered when they should be dominating teams (like the Miami Marlins). Even the phenom of SP Matt Harvey started to feel it, he can't win in Miami. Yes, those same Marlins that have some of the worst statistics in all of major league baseball seem to have Harvey's number, he's winless against them.

So you look at all that, our situations at first base between Ike Davis and Josh Satin, our lack of hitting and run support, you pretty much spell what the rest of the 2013 season will look like. I hate to say it, but this just isn't our year. We don't have the impact players we need, we lack the hot winning streaks to succeed, and as of right now, we just need to keep playing as many players from our minor league system to focus on the future. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to sound like everything is horrible with the Mets, it really isn't. It's to a point now where almost every game we are in, we just can't seem to hit, even after quality starts from our pitchers, we have zero run support. It's frustrating to watch since we know we've seen glimpses of guys like Byrd, Buck, and Wright hit very well. Then other times, it seems nobody can get on base or worst case, we have people in position to score, and we just can't punch in those guys to cross the home plate. It's almost 100% predictable and annoying when you can see the double plays against the Mets coming. Eventually though, summer will be over, the Fall will be here, and the playoffs of October will begin. The Mets, sadly, won't be anywhere in sight but thinking about 2014.

What happens now? Well, I'm going to take a look at our present day starters and see who is staying and who is going. Kind of like an evaluation on our current talent and whether or not they are worth keeping for the future.......

*** CATCHER ***
When I think of John Buck, I think of a great mentor, a good teacher for guys like Recker and eventually d'Arnaud so I would keep him even as a backup. If he can start for us next year as the best option for the team, great, if not, keep him but have him be the backup to either Recker or d'Arnaud, if he is ready around that time.

*** FIRST BASE ***
If Ike Davis continues to be in the funk he is in, I honestly don't see him being around for too long. While I don't think the Mets will trade/release him, I see him being in the minors and working with the youth. I also don't think Josh Satin is our answer at first base even though he's been pretty good with us, I think he is more of a solid backup to a true starting first basemen. What do I suggest? All the talk about the Mets making some serious acquisitions in the offseason should help effect this position. We need to sign a quality name to first base, trade for one, do something. We need a household name to hold it down.

*** SECOND BASE ***
Daniel Murphy is on fire this year and I love what he brings to the team. He sometimes makes mistakes that costs us runs but he has been pretty good defensively for the most part. I have a funny feeling the Mets might actually trade him for some other positional players but I sure do hope they keep him and include him in the long term picture.

*** THIRD BASE ***
What more can I say? David Wright is our team captain and is having one of the best seasons of his career as our main third baseman. He will keep doing his thing and I don't see any reason to bring anyone else in. He's also not going anywhere and I seriously doubt they will trade him for anyone really. He is the main guy the Mets will be building around.

*** SHORTSTOP ***
Omar Quintanilla has been decent this year but I don't see him in the long term with the Mets. I hope Tejada goes back to being who he use to be, but since he's been on the DL this year and before that was playing pretty bad, the Mets should look to sign a quality SS to bring speed, leadoff hitting, and stealing bases back to this team. Kind of like when we had Jose Reyes, we need that speedy presence back on this team. Justin Turner has been pretty good as of late, but will he be our solution at SS? I doubt it but at least he can provide depth when needed.

*** LEFT FIELD ***
Absolutely love Eric Young Jr. and I definitely think the Mets should keep him and continue to have him be the hot bat we needed for the outfield. The minute he came to the Mets, he made an immediate impact and has been one of the few reasons why, outside of a Harvey or Wheeler start, you should watch the team play.

*** CENTER FIELD ***
I like Juan Lagares but I think he should be used as depth and not really a potential starter. Once again, this is one area the Mets need to spend some of their money on, we need at least one or two more quality outfielders. Guys who will hit, be very good defensively, and bring a sense of power to the team.

*** RIGHT FIELD ***
Personally, I would keep Marlon Byrd on the team for next year and beyond since he is pretty clutch when needed and overall has been a solid acquisition to the team. He has a good eye on the ball, is pretty patient at the plate, and has had a major hand in most of those late game rallies that won us some games.

*** STARTING PITCHERS ***
Obviously we have the great tandem of Harvey/Wheeler who we will keep and continue to build around. I would also keep Hefner, Gee, and am kind of on the fence with Torres. I think Torres needs more time in the minors until he is truly ready to dominate. Until then, I think the Mets in the offseason need to sign one, maybe two quality starting pitchers to the team. I have no idea if we will ever see SP Johan Santana back in a Mets uniform, so I can't count on him at all in being part of the long term plan for the Mets.

*** RELIEF PITCHERS ***
While they have improved slightly this season, we have absolutely no dominance when it comes to our bullpen. I do like Hawkins and his experience, Edgin is ok, Rice is alright, and Atchinson is serviceable. Out of all of our bullpen though, I think Aardsma needs more time in the minors and just isn't ready to perform in the major league level. Overall though, we need to sign at least one high quality arm for bullpen relief. I think if we added a strong arm to our bullpen, it'll equate to more wins, easily giving us more of a chance to compete in the NL East. We lost too many close games because honestly, our bullpen gave up one too many runs.

*** CLOSING PITCHERS ***
I like what Parnell brings to the table so we are fine here, he's not perfect, but I think he fits the closer role nicely for the team. I wouldn't really go after anyone to handle our closing duties.

Despite it all, I'm still going to watch my Mets continue to bring this season to a close. Hopefully we end the best way we can and start to do whatever is necessary to build around the gems we do have. Guys like Wright, Harvey, Wheeler, Murphy, Young, etc. I know it hurts to say this season isn't what I had hoped it would be from this past April, but one insight in all of this is never losing hope. Not this year, but in 2014 and beyond, I know better times are ahead for this team. We have a solid minor league system, we have quality guys on the roster now, and if you think about it, we are just a few missing pieces away from a high quality final product to compete day in, day out. It's going to happen and I know it all starts this offseason! Hopefully the Mets make wise choices (Please, don't pull another Jason Bay) and start thinking about what makes the most sense to start having winning records for 2014 and beyond!