The Marlins, a young franchise, with two World Series titles on their resume, have to be excited for the future. Over the years they have been the subject of ridicule for their attendance numbers and low payroll. The fan base has witnessed not one, but two World Series teams get dismantled for financial reasons.
However, now more than ever, the enthusiasm behind this team is growing and here are the ten reasons why:
The New York Mets‘ Johan Santana and Mike Pelfrey told the New York Daily News on Tuesday that they would in so many words welcome Seattle pitcher Cliff Lee with open arms.
“We’ve been playing great, but to go out and add a guy like (Oswalt or Lee), it might put us over the top,” Pelfrey told Peter Botte of the NY Daily News. “You would definitely love to have those guys on your team. I think those are some of the elite pitchers in the game. It definitely can help if you go out and get them.”
The Mets have had a few surprises in their rotation this year both good; Pelfrey (9-2, 2.69 ERA) and knuckle baller R.A. Dickey (5-0, 2.82) and bad; Oliver Perez (0-3, 6.28 ERA) and John Maine (1-3, 6.13 ERA).
Pelfrey and Dickey along with ace Santana, have the Mets in contention in the ultra competitive National League East. However for the Mets, history is a precursor for potential disaster and more quality starting pitching never hurt anyone.
Lee (5-3, 2.55 ERA) has had relative success in Seattle after helping guide the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in 2009, with a 4-0 record, a 1.56 ERA and two complete games. His success unfortunately has done very little for the Mariners, who are in the basement of American League West.
The Mets could solidify their rotation by acquiring Lee and make a deep playoff run, not too unlike their run in 2006. In 06′ the Mets fell one win short of reaching the World Series after a heartbreaking loss against the Cardinals in Game 7 of the NLCS.
New York’s starting rotation consisted of Tom Glavine (15-7, 3.82 ERA), Steve Trachsel (15-8, 4.97), Pedro Martinez (9-8, 4.48 ERA), Orlando Hernandez (11-11, 4.66 ERA) and a younger John Maine (6-5, 3.60). The arrival of the lefty would mean a rotation of Santana, Pelfrey and Lee. Coupled with the expected return of center fielder Carlos Beltran, the Mets could find themselves in unfamiliar territory.
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