Ernest Dove - What's Next For Mets in 2014 (and beyond)?

  It was pretty tough for me to make the decision to still post an article, especially after what I just saw (watching only the 8th to the top of the 13th inning).......... but here it goes.

  What is the plan, going forward with the Mets, for the rest of 2014? 

                 It has truly become, for this team, and its fans/writers/bloggers, groundhog day.....

(anyone out there catch the irony, capturing scene which depicts man yelling about overspending)

  We are all (well, according to attendance records, maybe not all) seeing the same game, being played, over, and over, and over, and over again.

  So now what?  We have been waiting a few years for things to come together.  The money was freed up. The top pitching prospects were ready. The fans were ready.  But, so goes the Mets.  Hitters are not hitting. Hitters have a good game, week, or couple of weeks, but then are benched or simply go cold.



  Solid pitching leads to limited run support. Timely hitting leads to bullpen failure.  We begin analyzing players ability to make good contact, for outs, and proclaiming it a sign that they are 'turning it around'.
  Then, there are the injuries.  Sure, every team has injuries. But I don't care about other teams.  I care about the Mets.  Chris Young hits lights out in spring training. Then immediately goes on DL. Then seemingly has completely forgotten everything about hitting since he came off DL.

  Juan Lagares went from decent aaaa level player, to defensive sensation, to .300 hitter, to injury prone. Matt Harvey, despite whatever hopes and dreams everyone may have, probably will not, and and should not, pitch this year.

  Rafael Montero, possible future star, possible bullpen arm, possible trade peace, current member once again of the Las Vegas 51s, where he is joined by the proclaimed future catching star Travis d'Arnoud. Also joined by the almighty Thor, who is now off and on and hopefully back off of the disabled list. And, as in years past, the Mets continue to shuffle in 28+ year old journeyman in and out of the lineup and pitching rotations/bullpen. 

                                                                 Again, so now what?

  Where do the Mets go from here, to finish out the season?  Noah Syndergaard (THOR), even before the injuries, was not exactly lighting the PCL on fire with his mighty right arm (4.47 ERA, 54 1/3 innings and 62 hits allowed). Top hitting prospect Cesar Pueblo, entering Thursday nights game, is hitting .226 with 1 homerun.........1 homerun....... in 53 games for the 51s.

  So, unlike the past 2 seasons, where the Mets at least fabricated some form of excitement in the call-ups of Harvey and Wheeler, (and, to some extent, Wilmer Flores), the Mets may now appear a little empty in the cupboard, with little to turn to. 

  Forget the 90 win foolishness.  True Mets fans weren't falling for that anyway.  I'm now more concerned with what management will be doing, to finish out this year, and if the goal will be to at least still try and win more games then last year.

   But, again, where do they go from here?  Carlos Torres (when you try and minus the overuse) Dice K and Bartolo Colon may be currently pitching themselves into a decent trade value level. The only possible hitter trade value on the 25 man roster, also happens to be the only guy that has ACTUALLY hit consistently this season (Murphy). So, does management still risk trading him off, and deal with the fan backlash, even as home attendance is already plummeting?

  Beyond Syndergaard, there really doesn't seem to be any exciting pitching available at the higher levels to spark the team, and the city (especially if Montero remains blocked anyway by a healthy Gee, strong outings continuing from deGrom, and the Colon/Dice K combo remaining on the roster).

  As for hitting, without Puello hitting, the only guy who seems like the next hottest choice at the moment, also happens to a guy now officially stuck in AA ball (Plawecki), due to the TDA demotion to Vegas.

  Usually, in situations like these, certain teams may begin their youth movement, by calling up prospects (like the Astros), or by trading off veterans (Marlins).  However, to me, it almost seems like the Mets are either unwilling (management decision) or unable (injuries) to do EITHER.

  So here we are, still in June, still not even halfway through the season. However, it has the feel of Springtime.  Different lineups every night.  Everyone hits, everyone shares starting duties, and everyone pitches (a lot).

  I just don't know what is to become of this team.  They have the most losses in 1-2 run games. They have led, and lost the lead, the most times in the MLB this year.  They have solid pitching. Are we supposed to consider that an indication of a team that can win, with more luck, and by having players 'turn it around'?

  As you can tell, I have absolutely NO answers for anything.  I have tickets to see them play the Marlins coming up soon, in Miami. After that game, I don't even know how much longer my heart can take watching them this year.

  I guess, I will hope for the best.  Besides, (if healthy), we have a stud pitcher possibly getting a summer call up. And we may be able to trade a veteran for another teams top 20 prospect.  We may be able to end up with a protected top ten pick with a poor record, so we can use saved money from bad contract/contracts coming off the books in the offseason to sign a top free agent and not lose a first rounder........................ Groundhog Day..............................................