Carlos Beltran was being a bit overzealous when he said the Mets are the team to beat.
The New York Mets have acquired the best pitcher in baseball, and after a couple spring training games, have been left with one of the worst offenses in baseball. Due to examples set by the Arizona Diamond backs (they were outscored by their opponents for all of last season) and the Houston Astros, their deteriorating offense is not a death knell for their playoff hopes, but in one of the most competitive divisions in the National League, it certainly does not help.
While Johan Santana certainly gives them a chance every five days to win, a single starting pitcher does not make a playoff run. With Ryan Church and Brian Schnieder already not expected to contribute that much to the offense, their injuries make the offensive situation worse. According to Carlos Beltran, who is returning from an injury, he will have enough trouble playing defense behind the Mets’ new ace let alone hitting. "The problem in the outfield is the stop-and-go, when I have to stop and turn," Beltran said. "I can run, but I can't stop way out there. Also, when you run the bases, sometimes you've got to stop real quick, and that's a problem right now. I don't feel confident doing it."
One of the other Carloses, Delgado, has suffered a hip injury this spring which should make Mets fans a little less optimistic of a return to form by the aging first baseman. Pedro has yet to actually play in a spring game after today’s contest was cancelled due to rain and is also coming off of an injury plagued season. The only two legitimate studs in that rotation are Santana and Maine. So even if they followed the example of the D-Backs and Astros, they still don’t have the depth of starting pitching and backup in the bullpen that those two teams have/had.
I still think that Jimmy Rollins and the Phillies are the team to beat as they have a very well balanced attack that they can throw at any team in the National League. I can only say that if they get in a fight, as some of the players have insinuated, that the Phillies watch out- half of the Mets will be swinging walkers and crutches at them which could definitely cause season ending injuries.
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3 comments:
I like how you are blasting Met fans but the picture for your blog is a Yankee rally cap. Nice touch with the parting shot. I’m not disagreeing with you since the Mets are ravaged by old age and injuries. In any event, please start using paragraphs. It makes it much easier to read.
1. opponents all last season
2. Diamondbacks
3. You don’t always need “I think.” Unless it’s absolutely necessary, we know it’s your opinion.
4. injury-plagued
well i wouldn't say "blasting"- as a Yankee fan I actually like the Mets. The Mets really have no bearing on the season for the Yankees so it's a "fun" rivalry. I just don't think that Johan is the answer for the Mets... thanks for the feedback though...
I like the Mets chances this season to make a run in the playoffs, but overall I think that age and injuries will do them in
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