In A New York Minute
http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/778/1/In-A-New-York-Minute/In-A-New-York-Minute.html
Steven Michalovich
Steven Michalovich has been writing for Atomic Sports Media since February 2006 and is a senior at The Ohio state University.Michalovich will graduate in June 2007 with a degree in strategic communication and a minor in business. He is a huge Ohio State, Cleveland sports and Columbus Blue Jackets fan, and his ideal career would be to work in public relations and marketing for a major sports franchise.
By Steven Michalovich
Published on 03/19/2007
The Mets were the best the National League had to offer in 2006. Yet, come October, it was St. Louis winning the NLCS and the World Series. Jose Reyes and the rest of the orange and blue are looking to take it all the way in '07. ASM's Steve Michalovich breaks down the Mets as 30 in 30 polishes off the NL East.
The Mets were the best the National League had to offer in 2006. Yet, come October, it was St. Louis winning the NLCS and the World Series. Jose Reyes and the rest of the orange and blue are looking to take it all the way in '07. ASM's Steve Michalovich breaks down the Mets as 30 in 30 polishes off the NL East.
In A New York Minute
The New York Yankees’ little brother is back to playing with the big dogs.
The New York Mets won 97 games last year and seemed to be planning for the World Series as early as July. They were head and shoulders better than any team in the National League; that is until the St. Louis Cardinals shocked the baseball world by taking the NLCS right out from under the Mets.
Since winning it all in 1986, this team has certainly had some lows, but they have put together some very talented teams. During the late 90’s, they had success, but when they got to the World Series in 2000 they were met by the stronger “big brother” and lost in five games.
Much of the Mets success last season can be attributed to GM Omar Minaya. The Mets have spending power, and Minaya has done exactly that. Numerous high-profile (and high-income) players grace the Mets roster, but have produced.
Manager Willie Randolph has done an excellent job managing the talent Minaya has assembled, stabilizing a position that seemed to be a media death trap at times.
The most high-profile Met may not see the field until after the All-Star Break. Ace Pedro Martinez is recovering from rotator cuff surgery and is expected to miss at least half the season. This is a big blow to the Mets especially since Martinez is getting older and it’s no guarantee that he’ll return to being the Pedro of old.
The rotation will move on without Martinez, at least for the first half. Tom Glavine will be the Opening Day starter, days after turning 41. Hitting his 40’s has not slowed him down though; he won 15 games last year. Orlando Hernandez pitched well after coming over from Arizona in 2006. He’s slated to be the number two in the rotation. John Maine had a 3.60 ERA in 16 games last year. With similar statistics over a full season paired with the Mets’ powerful offense, he could be a huge surprise. Another mid-season trade last year resulted in Oliver Perez coming over from Pittsburgh. Perez has a spot in the rotation, as the last memory of him from a year ago was a lights out performance in Game 7 of the NLCS. Dave Williams is still trying to find his niche; he didn’t work out in Cincinnati after going 10-11 in Pittsburgh in 2005 – a pretty solid season for pitching standards these days. If he returns to 2005 form, he too could benefit greatly from the Mets’ high-powered offense.
The experienced Billy Wagner was spectacular down the stretch last season. The Mets are hoping that he starts 2007 the way he finished 2006; 40 saves and a 2.24 ERA is about as good as it gets. The rest of the bullpen is filled with some “interesting” situations. One of the latest to find themselves suspended for steroid use was Met reliever Guillermo Mota; the club will be without his services for the first 50 games as he serves his suspension. It is unknown how well Duaner Sanchez will bounce back after he hurt his shoulder in a taxi crash last July. He was their best setup man before the accident with a 2.60 ERA. Ambiorix Burgos has been in Kansas City for the last two seasons and will be expected to pick up the slack in Mota’s absence and if Sanchez struggles. The Royals may have rushed Burgos a bit (he turns 23 in April); it will be interesting how he handles the “big city lights” as opposed to the forgotten market of KC. The Mets have two reliable lefties in the pen in Pedro Feliciano and Scott Schoenweis who are more than just left-handed specialists.
The highlight of the successful 2006 campaign was the emergence of David Wright and Jose Reyes. This left-side-of-the-diamond duo have made names for themselves in a city that obsesses over a guy by the name of Derek Jeter. In Reyes, the Mets have one of the most exciting young players in the game. He does it all out of the leadoff spot with a .300 average, 122 runs, 19 home runs, 81 runs batted in, 64 steals, and a sharp glove. Wright needs to avoid another inconsistent second half this season. After hitting 20 home runs before the All-Star break last year, he only hit 6 more the rest of the way. His stat line still finished at .311 and 116, but this is New York. C’mon.
The New York Mets won 97 games last year and seemed to be planning for the World Series as early as July. They were head and shoulders better than any team in the National League; that is until the St. Louis Cardinals shocked the baseball world by taking the NLCS right out from under the Mets.
Since winning it all in 1986, this team has certainly had some lows, but they have put together some very talented teams. During the late 90’s, they had success, but when they got to the World Series in 2000 they were met by the stronger “big brother” and lost in five games.
Much of the Mets success last season can be attributed to GM Omar Minaya. The Mets have spending power, and Minaya has done exactly that. Numerous high-profile (and high-income) players grace the Mets roster, but have produced.
Manager Willie Randolph has done an excellent job managing the talent Minaya has assembled, stabilizing a position that seemed to be a media death trap at times.
The most high-profile Met may not see the field until after the All-Star Break. Ace Pedro Martinez is recovering from rotator cuff surgery and is expected to miss at least half the season. This is a big blow to the Mets especially since Martinez is getting older and it’s no guarantee that he’ll return to being the Pedro of old.
The rotation will move on without Martinez, at least for the first half. Tom Glavine will be the Opening Day starter, days after turning 41. Hitting his 40’s has not slowed him down though; he won 15 games last year. Orlando Hernandez pitched well after coming over from Arizona in 2006. He’s slated to be the number two in the rotation. John Maine had a 3.60 ERA in 16 games last year. With similar statistics over a full season paired with the Mets’ powerful offense, he could be a huge surprise. Another mid-season trade last year resulted in Oliver Perez coming over from Pittsburgh. Perez has a spot in the rotation, as the last memory of him from a year ago was a lights out performance in Game 7 of the NLCS. Dave Williams is still trying to find his niche; he didn’t work out in Cincinnati after going 10-11 in Pittsburgh in 2005 – a pretty solid season for pitching standards these days. If he returns to 2005 form, he too could benefit greatly from the Mets’ high-powered offense.
The experienced Billy Wagner was spectacular down the stretch last season. The Mets are hoping that he starts 2007 the way he finished 2006; 40 saves and a 2.24 ERA is about as good as it gets. The rest of the bullpen is filled with some “interesting” situations. One of the latest to find themselves suspended for steroid use was Met reliever Guillermo Mota; the club will be without his services for the first 50 games as he serves his suspension. It is unknown how well Duaner Sanchez will bounce back after he hurt his shoulder in a taxi crash last July. He was their best setup man before the accident with a 2.60 ERA. Ambiorix Burgos has been in Kansas City for the last two seasons and will be expected to pick up the slack in Mota’s absence and if Sanchez struggles. The Royals may have rushed Burgos a bit (he turns 23 in April); it will be interesting how he handles the “big city lights” as opposed to the forgotten market of KC. The Mets have two reliable lefties in the pen in Pedro Feliciano and Scott Schoenweis who are more than just left-handed specialists.
The highlight of the successful 2006 campaign was the emergence of David Wright and Jose Reyes. This left-side-of-the-diamond duo have made names for themselves in a city that obsesses over a guy by the name of Derek Jeter. In Reyes, the Mets have one of the most exciting young players in the game. He does it all out of the leadoff spot with a .300 average, 122 runs, 19 home runs, 81 runs batted in, 64 steals, and a sharp glove. Wright needs to avoid another inconsistent second half this season. After hitting 20 home runs before the All-Star break last year, he only hit 6 more the rest of the way. His stat line still finished at .311 and 116, but this is New York. C’mon.
In A New York Minute
The right side of the infield has two power threats of its own. Carlos Delgado was a great acquisition for the team as he introduced himself to Mets fans by belting 38 homers and batting in 114. He also anchors the first base position that hasn’t had a solid defender since John Olerud. Jose Valentin was supposed to just keep the second base position warm for whoever Minaya could find to fill the void. Instead, Valentin had one of his best years, cutting down on strikeouts and still hitting for power. He’s a great asset in the bottom third of the lineup.
The outfield is anchored by centerfielder Carlos Beltran. He is a perfect number three hitter because he’s fast and racks up extra base hits. Beltran won a Gold Glove last year and made a case for MVP. The only downfall is that he still seems uncomfortable playing in Shea Stadium. Veterans Moises Alou and Shawn Green are set to flank Beltran and bat behind Delgado and Wright. Alou is great against left-handed pitching; he hit .349 against southpaws for San Francisco last season. He was limited by injuries last year though, so the Mets must be cautious. Green isn’t the monster power threat he was in Toronto and Los Angeles, but he will stabilize the right field position.
Paul Lo Duca is the vocal leader on this team. He handles the pitching staff and threw out 76 percent of would-be base stealers last year. He’s a great fit for the number two spot in the order as he hit .318 last year and hardly strikes out. There isn’t much more to ask from a catcher. Lo Duca is known for being great with the press, but that may change a bit after his divorce was heavily publicized by the tabloids last year.
The only facet of this team that doesn’t compare with the 2000 World Series club is a formidable bench. This team doesn’t have a bench consisting of Todd Pratt, Lenny Harris and Matt Franco caliber players at its disposal. What it does have is a dependable outfielder and pinch runner in Endy Chavez, a capable backup catcher in Ramon Castro, an ageless wonder in Julio Franco, and an underachieving utility infielder in Damion Easley.
The name that always comes up in trade talks is the highly-touted Lastings Milledge. If the Mets need to make a deal to get over the hump, expect to see him dangled in talks. If they dominate the NL again, he could be getting some regular at-bats in the place of Alou or Green.
The Mets were superb during the regular season in 2006, but they must work the kinks out to make sure they don’t lose to a team with only the thirteenth best record in baseball when it comes playoff time. They are a very well equipped all-around club, but if they get hit with the injury bug, then things could start to unravel, and the shadow of the Yankees will only highlight their struggles.
They have spent their money wisely and should win about the same amount of games as last year. The rest of the National League not playing to par in 2006 may have been a gift that the Mets didn’t take advantage of. In other words, the NL Pennant was theirs for the taking. The field may not be as weak in 2007, but the Mets are certainly, and rightfully so, the favorite to play for a World Championship in October.
2006: 97-65 (1st in AL East, lost to St. Louis in NLCS)
The outfield is anchored by centerfielder Carlos Beltran. He is a perfect number three hitter because he’s fast and racks up extra base hits. Beltran won a Gold Glove last year and made a case for MVP. The only downfall is that he still seems uncomfortable playing in Shea Stadium. Veterans Moises Alou and Shawn Green are set to flank Beltran and bat behind Delgado and Wright. Alou is great against left-handed pitching; he hit .349 against southpaws for San Francisco last season. He was limited by injuries last year though, so the Mets must be cautious. Green isn’t the monster power threat he was in Toronto and Los Angeles, but he will stabilize the right field position.
Paul Lo Duca is the vocal leader on this team. He handles the pitching staff and threw out 76 percent of would-be base stealers last year. He’s a great fit for the number two spot in the order as he hit .318 last year and hardly strikes out. There isn’t much more to ask from a catcher. Lo Duca is known for being great with the press, but that may change a bit after his divorce was heavily publicized by the tabloids last year.
The only facet of this team that doesn’t compare with the 2000 World Series club is a formidable bench. This team doesn’t have a bench consisting of Todd Pratt, Lenny Harris and Matt Franco caliber players at its disposal. What it does have is a dependable outfielder and pinch runner in Endy Chavez, a capable backup catcher in Ramon Castro, an ageless wonder in Julio Franco, and an underachieving utility infielder in Damion Easley.
The name that always comes up in trade talks is the highly-touted Lastings Milledge. If the Mets need to make a deal to get over the hump, expect to see him dangled in talks. If they dominate the NL again, he could be getting some regular at-bats in the place of Alou or Green.
The Mets were superb during the regular season in 2006, but they must work the kinks out to make sure they don’t lose to a team with only the thirteenth best record in baseball when it comes playoff time. They are a very well equipped all-around club, but if they get hit with the injury bug, then things could start to unravel, and the shadow of the Yankees will only highlight their struggles.
They have spent their money wisely and should win about the same amount of games as last year. The rest of the National League not playing to par in 2006 may have been a gift that the Mets didn’t take advantage of. In other words, the NL Pennant was theirs for the taking. The field may not be as weak in 2007, but the Mets are certainly, and rightfully so, the favorite to play for a World Championship in October.
2006: 97-65 (1st in AL East, lost to St. Louis in NLCS)