13
2010
The Mets Must Stay The Course Until Beltran Returns
An article by 
The 18-16 Mets currently find themselves in third place, two and a half games behind the first place Philadelphia Phillies. Back in March, while the Mets were getting ready to close out Port St. Lucie and head north for Opening Day, I felt that the Mets stood a good chance of going to the post season so long as they did three things.
The first was to get productive seasons from two out of Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey and John Maine. Second, the Mets needed to regain the power that was missing in 2009, and third, the Mets needed to stay in the hunt until they could get their best player, Carlos Beltran, back on the field.
It’s still too early to tell for sure, but John Maine and Mike Pelfrey seem to have turned a corner and may be able to give the Mets the reliable innings they so desperately need from them if they are to make a go of it this season. Oliver Perez is still maddeningly inconsistent as ever, but as long as the other two continue to grow and improve we have time to figure out what to do with Ollie’s place in the rotation.
It’s obviously apparent to all that the power that was in such short supply last season, has returned much to the relief of many who were convinced that Citi Field had struck a mighty blow to the bats of David Wright and company. In just over one month of games, the Mets have already hit one-third of last years home run total. Furthermore, Wright is just three home runs away from eclipsing his 2009 total and it’s only May.
Finally, the Mets are exactly where I wanted them to be in mid-May when Carlos Beltran was first projected to return. According to the latest encouraging news (MetsBlog) on Beltran’s knee, he is now running without pain and a plan is now being worked out for a return to baseball activities. We could be looking at a possible June 15-18 return according to one optimistic report.
What the Mets must do now is continue to stay in the pack and in the hunt for about another month if we’re gonna make the dream work. While many fans look down at this latest Nats series, I ask you to get those chins up and remember that the Mets have accomplished much without their team MVP. Much of the doom and gloom expected by many has not come to pass, and we’ve learned some new things about these Mets that we didn’t know before the season started.
1. These Mets have a lot of fight in them. They have retaliated when one of their own is knocked down, they run hard, they continue to break up double plays, and they have shown a new ferociousness when there’s a play at the plate. I love it.
2. These Mets can, and often do, add on runs late in the game which is a big departure from season’s passed. Except for two blow-outs, the Mets have been in virtually every game right to the final out. They have lost some heart breakers no doubt, but they have had a great ability to come back when they are behind.
3. The catching has made huge strides calling games, keeping pitchers focused, and producing at the plate. Nobody could have expected such a solid performance from the tandem of Barajas and Blanco.
4. The Mets finally have some quality depth. Not too many teams can reach down to their minor leagues and add a player as good as Ike Davis, or Jenrry Mejia, or Chris Carter. They still have some quality options they can turn to for the rotation, bullpen and bench.
It’s imperative that the Mets stay afloat for one more month. Even though they are not yet firing on all cylinders, we have seen how good this team can be this season. They have all the parts that good teams need to make the post season. This team is very competitive right now and will be even more-so when their gold glove centerfielder joins them some time next month.
Jerry Manuel has toyed with the lineup incessantly in order to compensate for the loss of their true elite slugger. This will be restored to order when the switch hitting Beltran resumes his spot in the middle of what will be a very potent Mets lineup.
In the three season prior to his knee injury, Carlos Beltran averaged 33 home runs, 113 RBI, 110 runs, 22 stolen bases and a .905 OPS. Even in an injury riddled 2009 season, Beltran was on the verge of an MVP season before he went on the DL. Before the injury, Carlos Beltran was leading the National League with a .336 batting average, ranked second in the NL with a .426 on-base percentage and .952 OPS, and third in the league with 40 RBIs. How many teams can sustain a prolonged loss of a player of this magnitude? Would the Cardinals be nearly this good without Albert Pujols or the Phillies without Ryan Howard?
These Mets are poised for a tremendous season. The clubhouse is very positive and above all they believe in themselves. They battle hard in every game. They are not short on outspoken leaders and they have displayed some guts and guile on the field. Once Beltran returns they will have that dangerous presence in the lineup that they have been missing all season long. Things are going to get better and the Mets will make a strong run and give us meaningful games in September, and yes October too.
Until then, the Mets have to keep hanging in there… as do their fans…
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
Went to my first Mets game, a Mayors Trophy game at Shea, in '73. We beat the Yankees 8-4 and I was hooked. I marched in two Banner Day parades, and before the Grand Slam single, there was the "Hendu Can Do" grand slam - I was there. I've collected Mets memorabilia all my life and started Mets Merized Online to feed my addiction.
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Great Post, I was not aware of Beltran’s return to be so close. The last thing I heard was that he might need further surgery (micro-fracture) and a possible return well after the All-star break.
A Mid-June return would be a BLESSING, and would most likely put Beltran to be in peak form by the end of July/ beginning of August for the stretch run.
Joe D – I agree totally. I think Pelf & Maine will do fine and with Takahashi to replace Perez or pitch 3 or 4 innings in all his games, the rotation will be OK. I do think Santana is slipping from Ace status and moving toward a #2+ SP at a rate similar to Pelfreys rise towards #2 starter so time is of the essence for this team. Offense will make or break this team. If Beltran comes back and hits and Reyes, Wright, & Bay recover to something near their typical seasons then this team will make a run for the playoffs. It’s a long season. I do hate to see games given away like yesterdays loss. Our premier baserunner forgets how to run the bases and bunt, our closer grooves a fastball when ahead in the count, the opposing pitcher has 3 RBI; these things happen sometimes but all three in the same game? The Mets make too many mental mistakes and these games may haunt us in September. But best of all this year, unlike last year, if the Mets are trailing after 5 innings it’s still worth watching the remainderr of the game because these guys have not been mailing it in like last years group. I think adding young, hungry guys does that for a team. Lets go Mets.
The Mets are doing good despite all the doubts and end of the world stuff. I hope Beltran’s comeback in the lineup will make the team a whole lot better.
Hey, glad to see some good news on Beltran. I appreciate your optimism and I agree with the points you made about what we learned. The fact that this team can finally add on runs late is what keeps us in every game. One thing that I would add is how well Fernandio Nieve and H. Takahashi have performed. Personally, I think Takahashi earned a shot in the rotation and I hope he gets that chance soon. My biggest fear is Oliver Perez costing us more games. In 2007 and 2008 we were one win away from the playoffs and I dont think we can afford to just keep throwing OP out there every 5 days. I’m glad you spoke of the Mets ability to battel and the toughness they have shown this season. That will come in handy in September because we sorely lacked that tenacity in 07 and 08. I truly believe in this team and I think we will go on a huge winning stretch once he comes back. Thanks again for keeping the faith and lets go Mets!
What do we do with Pagan when Beltran comes back? Shouldn’t he be at the very least platooning with Francore?
When Beltran comes back the line-up should look like this IMO:
Reyes-SS
Pagan-CF
Wright-3B
Bay-LF
Beltran-RF
Davis-1B
Barajasaurus-C
Castillo-2B
P
Can we at least start preparing reyes to the leading spot again!!???
Anyhow, I agree with joe D, but I wonder stay the course I wonder what u mean? Just be a 500 ball club or be a 2 game over 500 ballclub?? Either way I’m sure the mets will be fine, we just need to put reyes leadoff and “el capitan” back to hitting 3rd until beltran comes back, then u move him back to 5th where there’s less pressure..
Just to clarify, what I meant by stay the course is for the Mets to continue to stay in the pack and within striking distance of first place. I’m sure the Phillies thought they would have already had a bigger lead over us in mid-May, instead it’s just a 2 game lead. When our big gun Beltran comes back and when we figure out what to do with Ollie, that lead will evaporate and we can overtake them.
My concern about Beltran is still the same: when he comes back, will he stay back? I am not sure. Bone bruises that take a year to heal? Guys get bone bruises because they are short on cartilage. Players slide to catch balls, slide into bases, run into walls. That is a fertile area for further bone bruising. I am afraid he will be back on the shelf before year’s end. I will keep my fingers crossed.
Too bad he didn’t get the microfracture surgery last July. It’s not a career killer anymore and the recovery time is 9 months. He would have returned from the surgery the same time he might return from this other surgery he had. I still say it was dumb and foolish to have him play at the end of last year.
It really is amazing how the team has changed this year. I’m sure it’s all the new guys who are simply ready to win and have no memories of the ‘bad times’. They are young, strong and I’m sure happy to be playing at Citi Field. Now they have to rack up some wins to get the crowd back.
Would be nice to get some production from the corner OF spots.
That of course would be nice too. When Beltran comes back I hope he gives Wright the protection he is not getting. All those walks are more than just a good eye at the plate. A Reyes, Wright, Beltran, Bay, Davis, Francoeur, Barajas, Castillo lineup will have more balance and hopefully lead to an improved performance by all.
Switch Pagan with Francoeur and I’m on board with that starting team. It’s smart to play the best players.
A platoon would probably be better and judjing by the way Pagan plays centerfield, prepare yourself for a big downgrade defensively. The best thing might be to give Carter a shot at platooning with Francoeur. French could be his defensive caddy on the days he rides the bench.
Pagan is a better fielder than Francoeur. Scouts think so, defensive metrics think so and apparently even Jerry Manuel/Omar Minaya think so. If Francoeur was a better fielder (in their eyes) he’d be playing center field, the much tougher position. Gimme Pagan in RF over Frenchy.
I agree that David has no protection. But David is swinging through hittable, 89 mph fastballs. And he is always striking out late in games with ducks on the pond. That is mental. Maybe Beltran coming back will alleviate the mental stress. But he is getting pitches to hit now and not hitting them. That is a graver concern to me: Wright’s mental state.
Agree with you JoeD. My only addition is that Jose needs to be put back at leadoff now not when Carlos returns. With Jose back at leadoff then you have Castillo or Pagan hitting behind him, you move David back to 3rd and you do that now not when Carlos returns.
Bay, Francouer will hit as will David in streaks as they have done so far this year but Jose needs to be batting 1st where he is comfortable, can’t wait till Carlos returns.
enough with castillo / cora batting 2nd. period. and bench wright for like a week. he needs to clear his head. and get a new hitting coach, someone who stresses CONTACT.
Yeah…that’s what happened last year when he hit ten homeruns the WHOLE year. As horrible as everyone thinks he is doing, he is still batting 280 and has some of the best all around numbers in baseball in the steals, homers, runs, and RBI departments. Yes, he is striking out much, much more but he’ll get it together. He is also getting a lot of walks as well. He has 27 walks this year, which is five more than King Albert. It doesn’t help either that the two hitters in front of him aren’t doing ANYTHING.
and … it’s about time i heard someone give beltran the credit he deserves.
Joe, excellent job on this and for the update on Beltran. He’s been gone so long you almost forget how great a player he was in all facets of his game. I hope he continues to progress, but mostly I hope he can pick up where he left off when he finally does return.
Joe, I’d like to be as optimistic as you about Beltran, but I don’t know if we can expect the same guy when he comes back. Like Reyes, he’s been out for almost a whole year, he’s got a bad wheel and he was never a great clubhouse guy to begin with. But if he comes back and looks okay, I’d put him in the two-hole behind Reyes until he gets his feet wet. Then the lineup could look like this:
Reyes
Beltran
Wright
Bay
Davis
Barajas
Francouer/Pagan
Castillo/Cora
Pitcher
I look at all these suggestions and ideas and I really feel deep in my heart that my Mets will always be a heartbreak. They will never win the crown. there is always something, always.
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I don’t how you can be content with Perez pitching then letting the bullpen take it over in the third or fourth. That is exactly what we don’t want, an over-taxed bullpen. Our bullpen is probably the best thing about this club, we don’t want to kill it with continually bad starting performances. It is quite evident that Perez is done as a starter. His location is completely lost and now his velocity is just SHOT, which is the one thing that used to make up for his lack of command. The Mets, need to either make a trade for a starter, sign Jarrod Washburn who is still a free agent and was the AL League leader in ERA last year till he got injured around the trade deadline, or send down Mejia and prep him to be in the starting rotation because I honestly don’t know if I can watch another Oliver Perez start without killing myself.
RYAN:
“I honestly don’t know if I can watch another oliver perez start without killing myself”
LMMFAOMFL!!!!!!!!!!
Spot on bro.. spot on..