So, it looks like we're going with the Glavine, Hernandez, Maine, Perez, Pelfrey rotation...
It was far from settled at that point. Would Humber or Mulvey jump up to grab a spot? Would the Metties trade Perez or slot him for the pen as several other ML clubs (i.e., Padres) wanted to? Would Pelfrey be needed to shore up the late inning crew?
Luckily, Shea Hey Kids has our very own prognosticator. 1st place for the Mets this year, DC? What say you?
8 comments:
It's not going to be the walk-over last year was but I see our beloved Schmetties taking the crown, fending off some furious heat from the maturing (unlike their fans ever will be) Phils.
The Mets seem to be the vogue team to drop a deuce on this season but I see no reason why we can't repeat. Philly is the hip team of choice this year but I question their pitching which everyone seems to be raving about, los Bravos are still in a backslide, the Gnats are even weaker this year (sorry, Manny), and the Marlinos will be selling off anyone that is having a decent season yet again.
But what do I know--in the last 2 months in bets with the Mrs., I've botched the Super Bowl, lost the Oscar pool, and unless Georgetown wins it all, March Madness will make me 0 for 3...maybe I should consult her.
I'd say crapping on the Mets became very fashionable in the 2nd half of last year, particularly during playoffs, when every announcer kept abusing the "but at some point the mets starting pitchers will become their achilles heel" go-to move. In the end though, it wasn't the starting pitching that sunk us, of course, but our relievers and bats.
I agree with DC.. Metties should take division and league. Phillies will be tough, but we should still win division by at least 5 games. Bravos are done, and marlins will be around but not much better than .500 ball.
Things to avoid:
1. Beltran persistent "injuries"
2. Wright weak 2nd half
3. Injuries to anyone on starting rotation
4. Wagner in an important save situation
5. Shawn Green anywhere in the lineup
6. Wagner in an important save situation
I was sitting, pondering moves that could be of benefit to our beloved franchise, when a question popped into my hollowed noggin.
Tampa Bay has everything the Mets need, a top-notch outfielder (Crawford), a lefty stud starter (Kazmir), and a second base bat (Wigginton). I know we had 2 of them in the past and the irony is not lost on me. The question is: what would it take (and what would you be willing to part with) in a package that would create the largest blockbuster trade in recent history?
I'm thinking Milledge, Humber, Heilman, Hernandez, and Carp would be a no-brainer. I would even be likely to give up one of the other 2 OF prospects but as a replacement for someone listed.
Great question DC.... One thing the mets appear to have quite a bit of now is prospects, so they could afford to part with some of them. Of course, top prospects (in no order) are: Milledge, Humber, Carp, fernando martinez, and gomez. I'm not sold humber is going to be any good, after two major surgeries so early in his career. if we could get a guaranteed starter now (kazmir), i'd do it. I would not trade F. martinez under any circumstances.
I'd probably do Milledge + Humber + Heilman + Carp for Kazmir and Crawford.
What makes F Mart untoucable? He sucked last year in his first yr in the US. I think he was flirting with the Mendoza line at St Lucie/High-A (he was better at A ball). Not saying he couldn't be good, but untouchable? Carp and Humber both appear better prospects to me. Humber was dominant at AA last year, with plenty of velocity and command. I don't think the TJ surgery from the previous year affected his stuff.
Kazmir and Crawford are prizes, indeed. I'd defintely part with Milledge. I could see giving up Milledge, Heilman, Humber, and F-Mart or Gomez. I'd like to hold on to Carp (and Humber, too, for that matter--but he needs to be in there to make the deal work).
Kazmir, Pelfrey, Maine, and Perez could be a nice crop of young arms in the rotation.
Sexy time...
Martinez's upside appears quite promising, here's a good SNY link:
http://www.sny.tv/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070209&content_id=1421165&oid=360
I like Humber's upside too but I'm just not sure how he's going to end up. His durability/health are still question marks, and if we got a Kazmir-level pitcher (in talent and age) in return as part of a trade I wouldn't be as concerned about losing him. But I certainly wouldn't trade him for anything less than a Kazmir..
One thing's for sure: it's been a long time since I've seen this many hitting and pitching prospects in Mets farm system. This was what made them so great in the past and it's good to see them in that position again. Certainly we are now on a more competitive field with Red Sox who seem to have a non-stop supply of top rookies.
I'd say Carp would be the biggest potential loss in the sense that he's all we've got once Delgado is done.. We have plenty of outfield options, and while pitching is always key we certainly have a lot of minor league prospects.
My feeling exactly on Carp. And with Delgado, you never know. The guy could have 3-4 more great seasons in him, but he could also have none. He's got a long swing, and he's going to be vulnerable to the inside fastball as he loses a little bat speed.
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