The Face of the Franchise

R.A. Dickey is the face of this Met team. Don't believe me? R.A. Dickey is a scrappy guy who occasionally exceeds expectations. A guy we can relate to because he's had some struggles through the years and he's never going to be a supermodel, but he's going to go out their and try. Sometimes you forget he's a re-tread who picked up a knuckler late in life and think he could really be something special. Most of the time we remember that he is what he is and we should be happy to have just that.

The Mets are a scrappy team who occasionally exceed our expectations. A team that has had some bumps and bruises over the past few years and doesn't exactly possess the mystique of say... their Bronx relatives. Sometimes we forget that the experts predicted that the Mets would be AT BEST a .500 team and think they could be a playoff team. Most of the time we remember that this is a REBUILDING year and that is fine.

But... what of next year?

Jose Reyes: If Jose is the face of the Mets, we'd be young and fast and full of energy. Capable of sprinting ahead of the competition with a certain level of "Wow Factor". It'll be a little hard for Jose to be the face of the franchise if he's not a Met, but just think of all the great things he does and imagine that all of those were commonly associated with the team. Now... think of the not so good things. Think of the team being VERY talented but ONE INJURY AWAY from being washed up. Think of a team who might be a little immature at times... what about Wright?

David Wright: If David Wright is the face of the 2012 Mets, they certainly have a little more pop in their bats. Despite missing a prodigious amount of time, he's still showed good power this season and in his career. Wright is also a dynamic player who not only brings power, but also brings speed. A team with speed, power and a certain quiet dignity... that doesn't sound half bad. Until you get to the bad parts. A David Wright team is also a team that is unbearably streaky. A team that might his .486 for a week and then .134 for 3 more. A team that has good defensive ability, but might throw the ball away a bit too frequently. Maybe it's a team that simply shies away from a leadership role in the club-house or one that's a good player... but not a superstar. Maybe... maybe, Justin Turner.

Justin Turner: Justin Turner is a success story for 2011. He was abandoned by the Orioles and picked up by the Mets in 2010 and in 2011 he proved he could make us all forget about a mistake named Brad Emaus. He's been a timely hitter and hard worker. That sounds like the team I want to root for. Hardworking and clutch with an Everyman angle that I can relate to. Then there's the issues of Turner not exactly being Ozzie Smith in the field. The issue of Turner not necessarily even having a job if Ike Davis is healthy. Or maybe the fact that Turner isn't exactly fast OR powerful. Maybe, we should pick a pitcher?

Mike Pelfrey: Oh no! Great! We're mental headcases who go from being very promising to flaming failures in the course of a single at bat. We're the #1 pitcher despite having mediocre (middle of the rotation) stuff. We're the kid who looked like he might have been a major asset to the ball-club but winded up being equally a hindrance and a part of the problem. Maybe... you know maybe... we shouldn't even be looking at the major league club for the 2012 face of the franchise. Ever think about that?

The Face of the Franchise:

Matt Harvey: The face of the franchise? He's not likely to pitch a single game in Queens for all of 2012. How is he the face of the franchise? Take this and spin with it: The 2012 Mets are a team who have a lot of talent coming up through the minors. Talent headed by Matt Harvey, Jenrry Mejia, Zack Wheeler, Jeurys Familia and others. A team that might not be so good now... but a team that is going to mess you up and leave you shaken in a couple of seasons. That's the kind of face I can live with. Plus it looks like he's about to drop an F-bomb every time he pitches.

With Mack away from the computer, I'm pitching in an extra post.