4/2/15

Tom Brennan - CAN ANYONE HERE NOT PLAY THIS GAME - PART 2

Tom Brennan - CAN ANYONE HERE NOT PLAY THIS GAME? Part 2

On Tuesday, I wrote in Part 1 about the Mets' high quality pitching staff going into 2015, despite injuries to Josh Edgin and Zach Wheeler.

All of the other pitchers I wrote about CAN play this game.  Pitching is a clear strength for this team.

Now let's get down to the good stuff: 

OFFENSE 

Please take no offense when I say the Mets' offense is offending other teams mightily this spring. In fact, the Mets have scored nearly 60 runs more (2 runs more per game) than their vaunted (or is it lowly) competitors, the Nats.

Man, I know a lot of offense has come from borderline guys...ones who will make the team as subs or head back to AAA - or get dealt like Matt den Dekker.

 I LOVE OFFENSE - SO WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE HERE?

OK, d'Arnaud is not hitting a ton, but he will - up into the.230's thru Tuesday...and catcher Johnny Monell has hit real well in his bid to unseat Recker as back up catcher.  So the catcher’s spot is fine.

Duda?  I think he is on the rise, and will have a bigger year than 2015, as he has new levels of confidence and seems to be ready to challenge lefties, unlike 2014.  After a glacial, injury-slowed spring start, he is thumping like the Babe this week.

Let’s gingerly slide over to 2B.  Murphy ought to be Murphy once his leg is 100%.  If still hurt by opening day, Reynolds, Muno, and Tejada provide quality back ups. Take your pick.

SS?  Wilmer Flores will likely hit better than most Mets shortstops in their history that are not named Reyes.

3B David Wright looks more like his former All Star self this spring. The lone remining MLB Captain is showing he still has it.

Moving on to the green, green grass of the outfield:

Cuddyer? Terrific hitter, terrific spring.  Met fans are starting to feel terrific about MC Hammer.

Lagares?  Like Duda, a bat in ascension.  All star team?  Maybe.

Granderson?  Night and day better than last year. Other-worldly so far.  Better than fixed.  Thank you, Dr. Long.

What About Dem Other Subs:

From the grouping of Mayberry, Nieuwenhuis, Campbell, and Puello?   I can't complain there.  Mayberry in particular is having a simply spectacular spring...hopefully a glimpse of things to come this season for big John.  the other 3 have had a solid spring too.

A conclusion is self-evident:

All of them can play this here game.  Lots more offense appears to be in store for 2015.

Let's get the party started.  Add in health and a fair measure of good fortune, this team ought to win a lot more than last year's 79 games.  I am starting to think that 90 might be a bit of a disappointment. C’mon Sandy, 95 wins would not surprise me.

Starters, bullpen, offense - everyone is just better than last year.

Like the pitchers, when I ask myself regarding the hitters, “CAN ANYONE HERE NOT PLAY THIS GAME?” the answer is it sure seems like ALL OF THEM can.

4 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

Of note, after the article, Puello put on waivers.

Reese Kaplan said...

Now the question is who will lead them? Surely not the manager...

Tom Brennan said...

Reese, if Casey knew Terry Collins was manager, he'd shut both eyes. Can anyone here manage this game?!

Steve from Norfolk said...

Reese,

As the Baseball Bible says in the Book of Alderson, chapter 2015, "And two men from Tidewater, Virginia will stand as brothers and lead the anointed Mets through the valley of Nats to reach the Promised Series."

Besides, if Terry screws up too badly, David, Mike, Curtis, and Matt will lock him out of the clubhouse!