Kuzul

Daniel Murphy is in a state of flux within the Mets organization.  Murphy was once a man poised to be the starting first baseman with the departure of Carlos Delgado and solid 2008 and 2009 season, which averaged out as 11 home runs, 64 runs batted in, a .275 batting average and a .331 on-base percentage over 162 games.

When a leg injury ended his 2010 season, he lost the starting first baseman job to Ike Davis.  Murphy will not be able get his job back at first base over Davis, and thus must switch positions to be able to play for the Mets.  The only question is what position will Murphy be able to play, and what will happen to him if he can’t?

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Chien-Mang Wang is a National again this year.  To many it may be surprising that he even was a National last year considering he never pitched an inning.  Wang must have made strides rehabbing last year though because he was offered and accepted a $1 million contract (with $5 million in incentives) from the Nationals.  

This deal is a very savvy move by Nationals GM Mike Rizzo because the Nationals have added a pitcher that has good upside for a very low price.  If Wang can reach the pitchers mound he will easily be worth his contract.

When healthy, Wang won 19 games in back-to-back seasons and had an ERA under four. Wang gained this success with control, not speed.  Wang never was a hard thrower and only topped 100 strikeouts in a season once. If he can pitch to hitters and keep his walks very far and in between he could be a consistent starter, something the Nationals desperately need.  

While this acquisition while bolster a pitching rotation that features Livan Hernandez, Jason Marquis, Jordan Zimmerman and a whole mess of others the Nationals will still end up at the bottom of the barrel in the NL East.  Livan Hernandez had a tremendous season last year posting an ERA of 3.66, his last three seasons averaging out to be above a five ERA.

I wouldn’t find it very surprising at all if his ERA went back to his career average of 4.39. Marquis was a 2010 offseason acquisition who couldn’t get an out and is battling for a spot in the rotation.  

Jordan Zimmerman is a young pitcher still struggling in the big leagues who will be competing with Josh Lannan and a host of others.  What the Nationals do have is a young and talented bullpen which had to pitch the most innings of any major league club (545.2), but finished at No. 5 in ERA at 3.35.  However, the Nationals still lack an ace, a solid rotation, and an imposing offensive unit.  

The Nationals offense now finds itself weaker then a season ago with the departure of Adam Dunn and the trade of Josh Willingham to the Athletics for prospects Corey Brown (OF) and Henry Rodriguez (RP).  Jayson Werth was brought in to fill in for Adam Dunn who provided the Nationals with 38 home runs and over 100 RBIs for back-to-back seasons.  

While Werth has had an amazing career in Philadelphia, he played in a hitter’s ballpark with a lineup that included Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, etc.  In the last three years, Werth has hit 13 more home runs and slugging .04 higher at Citizens Bank Park.  

While his power numbers increased at home his average and on-base percentage stayed the same.  With this in mind, Werth will probably be able to provide some pop for the Nationals, just in the park of 25-30 home runs.  While he will be a defensive upgrade from Dunn, he will not be able to fill in the power vacuum left by Adam Dunn.  

The only other notable offensive unit added to the Nationals is Rick Ankiel, who signed a one-year deal for $1.5 million plus incentives which will platoon in the OF.  Jayson Werth and Rick Ankiel are not the men who will be able to rally around Ryan Zimmerman and give the Nationals a winning team.  

Jayson Werth and Rick Ankiel are by no means better then the combination of Josh Willingham and Adam Dunn that the Nationals had last year.  At this point I just start to feel bad for Ryan Zimmerman.  Zimmerman will once again have to carry the Nationals offensively in what is sure to be another losing year.

But the worst thing for the Nationals is that every team in the NL East improved in some way this offseason.  The Braves gained power-hitting second baseman Dan Uggla and utility man Erik Hinske while bolstering its bullpen with George Sherill.  

The Marlins signed Javier Vazquez and shored up its bullpen dilemma via free agency and trade.  

The Mets added very few players this off season, but have added Carrasco to replace Feliciano and are looking to a team that features Jason Bay, Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes healthy.  

Finally, the Phillies have added Cliff Lee to its rotation to create one of the best rotations in Major League history.     

The Nationals will be a team to look out for in the future with such stars as Strasburg, Harper and Ramos.  For the 2011 season, though, the Nationals will still finish last in the division due to a horrible rotation, a lack of offense and an improved division.

I predict the Nationals will therefore regress this season, eventually finishing the year at 65-95.         

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According to MLB Trade Rumors the Mets are are pursuing starting pitcher Chris Young (formerly of the San Diego Padres).  The deal will in all likelihood be for one year, laden with incentives. The Mets are looking to add depth to a rotation which will not feature Johan Santana for a good chunk of the year.  Right now the Mets starting rotation features R.A. Dickey, Mike Pelfrey and Jon Niese.  

In the past, Chris Young has been a dominant pitcher posting an ERA under 4.00 from 2006-08.  His career, however, has been marred by injuries for the last three years.  Last year, Young pitched in only four games, and it is very unlikely that he will pitch more than 20 for the Mets.  Taking injury into account  this is still a great move for the Mets because they add another starting pitcher with limited funds that could win 10-15 games.  Adding Young to the Mets is a very low-risk high-reward deal which could alleviate the stress that will be put on Dickey, Pelfrey and Niese in the 2011 season.  This deal also shows that Alderson is willing to keep true to his word.  

Alderson has already said this offseason that he would not make any drastic changes to the Mets roster, which will shed over 40 million dollars by losing Oliver Perez, Carlos Beltran and Luis Castillo.  By not signing any large/bloated contracts this offseason, the Mets are looking to a future where this team is built through the draft and will be able to be a legitimate contender in the NL East for years to come.  Mets fans might have to sacrifice this season as another average year, but the future looks bright in Flushing.       

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The 2010 New York Mets did exactly what I expected of them, another losing season. Before the year began, I projected the Mets to be 78-84 and finish fourth place in the NL East, just one game off of their record of 79-83.  This article will look at the Mets 2010 season and how their decisions will affect their future.  

Front Office

The greatest thing that Minaya did was not trying to salvage the season by trading for another veteran to clog up capital.  The one knock on Minaya was signing Jason Bay for four years at $66 million (and the option for a fifth year).  This last-ditch effort for trying to save his job ties the Mets up with an aging veteran who will never hit 30 home runs or bat above .280. 

This money could have been spent on a number of free agent options in the market this year, or by giving R.A. Dickey a raise.  Although if one looks at the past acquisitions made by Minaya, this is one of his best years as the Mets GM.

During the regular season, the Mets losing was the greatest thing for the franchise.  The Wilpon’s finally cut ties with Minaya, ending his era of mediocrity. This move is the most encouraging aspect in the front office.  The Mets fired Omar Minaya and hired Sandy Alderson with assistant GM JP Ricciardi.  Alderson is best know for the creating the Atheltic’s team that featured Mark Macgwire and Jose Canseco.  Ricciardi was an assistant GM for Alderson and worked as the GM for the Blue Jays who is great at talent scouting.   

Players

Cancers:

Carlos Beltran is no longer a Met.  Anyone who watched the Mets noticed he did not hustle, or seem to give a damn.  The one thing I’m hoping for is a bounce back 2011 in which the Mets can trade him at the all star team break for any prospects.  

Francisco Rodriguez assaulted his girlfriends father.  I miss the good old days when our players just did cocaine…

Luis Castillo is being paid $6.75 million for being a cheerleader.  The worse thing?  His most (in)famous moment as a Met is this.  This not doing it for you?  Just remember him walking down the steps…

Oliver Perez…

The Mets were unable to move any veterans or acquire any talent to help the farm system.  However, it doesn’t surprise me they couldn’t, considering every player listed here should be paid half of their actual contract.  In Oliver Perez’s case, he should be paying the fans for making us watch him pitch.

Noticeable New Talent:

The Mets never had a shot at playoff contention after the all star break.  This, along with injury, allowed the Mets to try players such as Mejia, Tejada, Thole, and Pagan.  Their lack in depth and ability led to Ike Davis becoming the starting first baseman.   

Ike Davis has captured the hearts of Mets fan.  He can play defense and filled in a major power vacuum in the Mets lineup.  Ike had streaks were he couldn’t connect with the ball but was able to adjust his swing and have a very impressive rookie campaign.  

Angel Pagan was always written off as role player. The reason most (including myself) thought he would never become  a major factor was that he made simple mistakes in the outfield and had lapses in the box in which looked like he had no idea which way was up.   In 2010, however, he had a breakout campaign in which he played consistently in both offense and defense.

Josh Thole will be a good catcher in a couple of years.  At this point in time he still lacks experience and needs more time with the batting coaches.  However, a .277 average by a catcher is nothing to laugh at, and in the future a .300 average with 10 to 15 home runs is possible.

Mejia is one of the Mets top prospects, but never showed it in the Majors.  He still needs time to develop better control and gain mound presence.

Tejada had a mundane year at second base.  He didn’t contribute much in the offense, but was a solid defensive player that could turn the double play.

Talent is hard to come by, and the Mets may have a legitimate all star in Ike Davis and catcher of the future in Josh Thole.  

Players who found their Niche

David Wright has found his power again.  Even though it still looks like he is trying to cut down a tree with every swing, he has been connecting for home runs the Mets desperately need.  But if the Mets are going to have any chance at contention, he has to make a lot more contact.

Mike Pelfrey had a strong year.  In the first half he looked like one of the best pitchers in baseball, but we all knew it wouldn’t last.  He had an ERA of 3.66 and won 15 games, much improved from his 5 ERA in 2009.  If Pelfrey can show consistency in a game to game basis, the Mets could have a very dangerous number 2 starter.    

Jon Niese is another young pitcher who proved he could be a solid man in the Mets rotation.  Injury had caused him to have had a very limited role but this year he was able to play and had an extraordinary year.  He had an ERA of 4.20 and should look to either replicate or improve in 2011. 

Two more players who found an important role with the Mets were R.A. Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi.  These two players came out of nowhere and proved to be very important players for the Mets.  R.A. Dickey is a 36 year old knuckle baller who had never had an ERA under 4.62 before this season, who emerged as a top 10 pitcher in the National League.  Takahashi was a relief pitcher who became a starting pitching and then again a relief pitcher (this time a closer).  Takahashi was 8 for 8 in save opportunities and is a necessary backup for K-Rod who has not been in top form.  Both players are very questionable in 2011 as to their effectiveness, but the Mets season could depend on them.     

Overall

The Mets are in transition.  There are three new starters in the Mets depth chart at 1B, C, and CF (that is assuming Beltran is switched to RF).  The main core of the Mets which has failed to produce a world series win, let alone a berth is old and injured. Carlos Beltran, Oliver Perez, and Luis Castillo all come off the Mets payroll next year, freeing up cash.  What is especially crippling to an aging star team is the injury prone Johan Santana, who has once again undergone season ending surgery.  

While the Mets have problems in injury and age, there is still a silver outline.  The Mets have a farm system that has produced Ike Davis and Josh Thole, both starters on the 2011 team.  Mejia looks like he can have a promising career, but he still needs developmental time.  What also gives the Mets life is the return of David Wright’s power and Jose Reyes being healthy in time for the start of 2011. 

The Mets will also have a new manager replacing an ineffective Jerry Manuel.  Leading the Mets’  in the front office is the new GM, Sandy Alderson, who will be able to run the franchise by going after existing talent and building the next generation of Mets players with the help of long time partner JP Ricciardi.  Alderson and Ricciardi will be able to build a new Mets dynasty through the draft, something that needed to and should have happened years ago.      

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