Just a short month ago the Mets were favored to win the National League at most sports books in Vegas, they were confident in their team, and playing some good baseball. Fast forward Memorial Day; as I type this the Mets are 3-1 dogs to win the NL, they have no confidence at all, and they are playing so bad that I can’t stand to watch a game. But, who is to blame?
Some say Willie Randolph is the source of the problem and while I will agree that he often gives some players a bit too long of a leash in figuring out their problems, in the end, he is not really the problem. Sure, he should have removed Aaron Heilman from pitching in any meaningful situation about a month ago. But, aside from that he really isn’t making the mistakes that cost this team games. Are you to really believe with this mans job on the line he isn’t trying to motivate this team enough? Then some people point to the soft lineups he throws out their about 3 times a week but really what is he to do? Ryan Church, Moises Alou, Marlon Anderson, and Angel Pagan not available who can he really put in the outfield other then Nick Evans and Endy Chavez?
Then some will argue that Omar Minaya is the man who should go. Can I ask you one question? What will that accomplish? You want to fire the man who turned this franchise around and into major factors in the MLB with acquisitions like Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Paul Lo Duca, Ryan Church, Brian Schneider, Luis Castillo, John Maine, Billy Wagner, Oliver Perez, Orlando Hernandez, Johan Santana, Duaner Sanchez, and Moises Alou in just 3 years. Now I know that list may not look to flashy at the moment but at one time or another everyone one of those names was major contributor to this ball club. True he made some stupid moves like inking Luis Castillo to a 4 year deal. He made some excellent moves by trading Kris Benson for Jorge Julio and John Maine or the Johan trade. Omar is not to blame.
The players are to blame, they play with no heart and are making mental mistakes, but you already knew that. So here is how to fix the Mets. Lets start with the offense. This offense needs a jolt, they are capable of putting up over 3 runs a game but they need a change. They can clean house and bring up some minor league spark plugs to give some time but the system is so thin this is just the solution to sliding into last place in the MLB. They can make a trade for a big hitter. This could work but teams aren’t ready to dump the big bats this early in the year. They will give up much less for much more if they wait until the all-star break. Or they can just simply drastically shake the line-up. Hmmmm this could work. I thought about this for a while and here is what I came up with for when they (if ever) get a healthy club.
1. Jose Reyes SS (S)---Cant put him anywhere else
2. Carlos Beltran CF (S)---He made it clear when he came to New York this is where he wanted to be put. He is a team player and is patient enough to let Reyes steal one (or two) in front of him. Call me crazy but I feel much more comfortable with Reyes on 2<SUP>nd</SUP>, no one out and Beltran up rather then Castillo.
3. David Wright 3B (RH)---Keep the speed here, can steal and will drive in runs. That’s a tough top 3 to deal with.
4. Carlos Delgado 1B (LH)---Delgado can drive in runs and although his hitting for average is gone he can produce runs and if put in the 4 spot it may gave him the mental boost he needs. Plus, does a RHP really want to walk Wright to get to a lefty as respected as Delgado?
5. Moises Alou LF (RH)----Break up the lefties and even though he hasn‘t been on the field much he still hit’s the ball very well..
6. Ryan Church RF (LH)---Church is on the horizon and will be in the lineup no later then Friday (I hope). Church can clean up Delgado’s mess and has been the Mets best hitter this year.
7. Brian Schneider C (LH)---Only spot for him the way this order is constructed.
8. Pitcher---This has been done more and more by many teams in the NL and I really like it in this situation. With the Mets left with no productive 2 hitter they can effectively use Castillo as a 2<SUP>nd</SUP> leadoff man of sorts who can get on base for Reyes to be put in a position to drive in runs.
9. Luis Castillo 2B (S)---2<SUP>nd</SUP> time through the order teams face Castillo (S), Reyes (S), Beltran (S), Wright (RH). 4 speedy players, 3 switch hitters, 3 run producers. Now I know this can be accomplished by putting Castillo #2 but at this point Castillo is wasting at bats moving runners over for guys behind him who aren’t producing. He will be better suited batting 9<SUP>th</SUP> as a 2<SUP>nd</SUP> leadoff hitter.
Now as for the pitching staff. Again, we are looking for drastic changes and shake-ups. Ok, Pedro is set to return June 3<SUP>rd</SUP> and I still believe he will be a solid #2 starter for the Mets because he is just to intelligent to go out and get rocked every night. So you leave the rotation as:
1. Johan Santana (LH)
2. Pedro Martinez (RH)
3. John Maine (RH)
4. Oliver Perez (LH)
5. Aaron Heilman (RH)
Top 3 are standard. Perez has been struggling but if you notice, he pitches in line with how his team is playing. If his team is playing like shit he will go out their and walk the park. If the Mets are competing for 1<SUP>st</SUP> or say in Game 7 of the NLCS vs. the Cardinals he will pitch like an ace. So I feel as long as the Mets get back on track he will be fine. Now, Heilman. Here is the deal. He has sucked in the bullpen this year…absolutely atrocious. Heilman has made it clear every off-season that he wants to start. I know, he hasn’t started since 05 but he is a natural starter. A few starts in the minors and he will be good to go. He was putting in good efforts last time he started and seemed to figure out this whole MLB thing. He pitched a 1 hitter vs. the Marlins and 7 inning 2 hitter against the Braves in 2005. I feel if he gets put back there he will try to prove everyone wrong that he can start at this level and be successful.
Then to the pen. You keep your closer as Wagner and use Scott Schoenweis, Pedro Feliciano, and Duaner Sanchez as your main pitchers in close games. Give guys like Matt Wise the ball in blowouts.
I feel like this will effectively mix up the Mets and feel like it will give everyone some confidence with where they are moving in the lineup/rotation. I know this won’t happen but I can dream. I’m just high and babbling now so I will turn it over to you guys.
One last thing:
Mets will make a run so get ready to put some hard earned money on them in the near future.
Some say Willie Randolph is the source of the problem and while I will agree that he often gives some players a bit too long of a leash in figuring out their problems, in the end, he is not really the problem. Sure, he should have removed Aaron Heilman from pitching in any meaningful situation about a month ago. But, aside from that he really isn’t making the mistakes that cost this team games. Are you to really believe with this mans job on the line he isn’t trying to motivate this team enough? Then some people point to the soft lineups he throws out their about 3 times a week but really what is he to do? Ryan Church, Moises Alou, Marlon Anderson, and Angel Pagan not available who can he really put in the outfield other then Nick Evans and Endy Chavez?
Then some will argue that Omar Minaya is the man who should go. Can I ask you one question? What will that accomplish? You want to fire the man who turned this franchise around and into major factors in the MLB with acquisitions like Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Paul Lo Duca, Ryan Church, Brian Schneider, Luis Castillo, John Maine, Billy Wagner, Oliver Perez, Orlando Hernandez, Johan Santana, Duaner Sanchez, and Moises Alou in just 3 years. Now I know that list may not look to flashy at the moment but at one time or another everyone one of those names was major contributor to this ball club. True he made some stupid moves like inking Luis Castillo to a 4 year deal. He made some excellent moves by trading Kris Benson for Jorge Julio and John Maine or the Johan trade. Omar is not to blame.
The players are to blame, they play with no heart and are making mental mistakes, but you already knew that. So here is how to fix the Mets. Lets start with the offense. This offense needs a jolt, they are capable of putting up over 3 runs a game but they need a change. They can clean house and bring up some minor league spark plugs to give some time but the system is so thin this is just the solution to sliding into last place in the MLB. They can make a trade for a big hitter. This could work but teams aren’t ready to dump the big bats this early in the year. They will give up much less for much more if they wait until the all-star break. Or they can just simply drastically shake the line-up. Hmmmm this could work. I thought about this for a while and here is what I came up with for when they (if ever) get a healthy club.
1. Jose Reyes SS (S)---Cant put him anywhere else
2. Carlos Beltran CF (S)---He made it clear when he came to New York this is where he wanted to be put. He is a team player and is patient enough to let Reyes steal one (or two) in front of him. Call me crazy but I feel much more comfortable with Reyes on 2<SUP>nd</SUP>, no one out and Beltran up rather then Castillo.
3. David Wright 3B (RH)---Keep the speed here, can steal and will drive in runs. That’s a tough top 3 to deal with.
4. Carlos Delgado 1B (LH)---Delgado can drive in runs and although his hitting for average is gone he can produce runs and if put in the 4 spot it may gave him the mental boost he needs. Plus, does a RHP really want to walk Wright to get to a lefty as respected as Delgado?
5. Moises Alou LF (RH)----Break up the lefties and even though he hasn‘t been on the field much he still hit’s the ball very well..
6. Ryan Church RF (LH)---Church is on the horizon and will be in the lineup no later then Friday (I hope). Church can clean up Delgado’s mess and has been the Mets best hitter this year.
7. Brian Schneider C (LH)---Only spot for him the way this order is constructed.
8. Pitcher---This has been done more and more by many teams in the NL and I really like it in this situation. With the Mets left with no productive 2 hitter they can effectively use Castillo as a 2<SUP>nd</SUP> leadoff man of sorts who can get on base for Reyes to be put in a position to drive in runs.
9. Luis Castillo 2B (S)---2<SUP>nd</SUP> time through the order teams face Castillo (S), Reyes (S), Beltran (S), Wright (RH). 4 speedy players, 3 switch hitters, 3 run producers. Now I know this can be accomplished by putting Castillo #2 but at this point Castillo is wasting at bats moving runners over for guys behind him who aren’t producing. He will be better suited batting 9<SUP>th</SUP> as a 2<SUP>nd</SUP> leadoff hitter.
Now as for the pitching staff. Again, we are looking for drastic changes and shake-ups. Ok, Pedro is set to return June 3<SUP>rd</SUP> and I still believe he will be a solid #2 starter for the Mets because he is just to intelligent to go out and get rocked every night. So you leave the rotation as:
1. Johan Santana (LH)
2. Pedro Martinez (RH)
3. John Maine (RH)
4. Oliver Perez (LH)
5. Aaron Heilman (RH)
Top 3 are standard. Perez has been struggling but if you notice, he pitches in line with how his team is playing. If his team is playing like shit he will go out their and walk the park. If the Mets are competing for 1<SUP>st</SUP> or say in Game 7 of the NLCS vs. the Cardinals he will pitch like an ace. So I feel as long as the Mets get back on track he will be fine. Now, Heilman. Here is the deal. He has sucked in the bullpen this year…absolutely atrocious. Heilman has made it clear every off-season that he wants to start. I know, he hasn’t started since 05 but he is a natural starter. A few starts in the minors and he will be good to go. He was putting in good efforts last time he started and seemed to figure out this whole MLB thing. He pitched a 1 hitter vs. the Marlins and 7 inning 2 hitter against the Braves in 2005. I feel if he gets put back there he will try to prove everyone wrong that he can start at this level and be successful.
Then to the pen. You keep your closer as Wagner and use Scott Schoenweis, Pedro Feliciano, and Duaner Sanchez as your main pitchers in close games. Give guys like Matt Wise the ball in blowouts.
I feel like this will effectively mix up the Mets and feel like it will give everyone some confidence with where they are moving in the lineup/rotation. I know this won’t happen but I can dream. I’m just high and babbling now so I will turn it over to you guys.
One last thing:
Mets will make a run so get ready to put some hard earned money on them in the near future.
