12
2011
The Mets Are In Trouble
An article by Former Writers
The New York Mets are in serious trouble.
Any fan watching the early games could have told you that, though. However, they are in worse shape than I ever thought they’d be in. Through the first ten games, their pitching as a whole has been absolutely horrendous.
I’m not going to lie and say I expected Pelfrey to pitch like an ace. However, he’s not only not pitched like an ace, he hasn’t even pitched like someone who belongs in the Mets rotation. Over three starts, his ERA is over 10, and his WHIP is well over 2. He’s averaging 14 hits per 9 innings, and striking out less than 5 over the same span. I doubt the Mets could even trade him unless he picks up his game. With his 7 walks per 9 innings, it seems like he’s been possessed by Oliver Perez.
The rest of the starting staff isn’t as worrisome, though that’s not to say they’ve performed adequately, either. Jon Niese had an excellent first start against Florida, but faltered against Philadelphia. Over 4 innings, he was hit for 6 runs. On the bright side, he did strike out 7 in 4 innings as well. Niese’s ERA may be rather high, but there’s still a lot more potential to uncover, and I’m not going to give up on him yet.
Dickey and Capuano also had rough outings, but I want to put them in the same category as Niese. They have to pitch better next time out, no doubt about it. However, Dickey already had an excellent start vs Washington. Capuano also fanned 8 in his start, but his 4 runs over 6 innings, with 2 home runs allowed, was a little unsettling.
Chris Young is the brightest spot of this Mets rotation thus far. 12.1 innings, 2 runs allowed, and 12 strikeouts. Hopefully, he can keep a consistent level of production all season.
Finally, the bullpen. I was surprised at how early Boyer was let go. Under the old regime, the Mets would have held onto him, tried to work with him, let him get more work, and shuttle him between the majors and Buffalo. I’m encouraged by the fact that Alderson put his foot down early and got rid of him after performing terribly. I’m disappointed, though, with DJ Carrasco. He had several good seasons out of the bullpen before coming to the Mets, and I expect him to find his game and be a solid contributor out of the pen.
The Mets, ladies and gentlemen, are in trouble right now. However, the trouble is not fatal. Hopefully, if Pelfrey can find his game, and Niese and Dickey stay consistent, the Mets will have a solid, although not great, rotation this year and will be able to be relevant further on into the year.
About the Author: Former Writers
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…And the most alarmist post title ten games into the season goes to…this one right here!
Are the Mets not in trouble?
Not really. If you think the Mets are in trouble then I guess the Braves are already out of it too!
You make a good point. I probably should have expanded on my thoughts in the article. I never really believed the Mets were in it to begin with. I appreciate the criticism, though!
Nothing wrong with what you wrote Louis,
But I will say a good season is more about how you finish, not so much how you start.
Even if everything was great right now two injuries and the situation changes.
And the Sox and the Rays (although one could argue they are).
Seriously, everyone needs to chill out. Just like Chris Young won’t be able to give performances like his last two starts every start, Jon Niese won’t be blown out of the water in every start and come to the median of those starts and give us quality. We’re 10 games in. Valium time!
Lou,
I like the fact you told us your opinion. You’re entitled to it. Some articles are written to be needlessly provocative or to satisfy the expectations of readers. I don’t think either was in your case.
Thanks.
Don’t you know the rules here Louis. If you write anything other than the party line you are evil. The truth is not allowed here. only the Sandy gospel. This is a perfect team and any denial is evil.
-smh
Dude, I just wrote a piece criticizing the hell out the pitching staff today.
At least you’re consistently retarded. Who’s putting him on blast right here. He agreed that its only 10 games into the season. What’s your hangup on Alderson?
Oh, please Harry, I don’t deny you’ve missed the mark!!!!
You are a loser that makes up crap.
Adult debate is always welcome, but you have never acted like an adult nor ever put up a good debate.
Now, yes. Hopefully a streak or a 7 out of 10 would come to right the ship. I’m with you though, I’m holding pessimistic optimism.
This team will not win more than 75 games this season even if everything breaks right. I see them getting rid of Reyes, Beltran and KRod at the break and all that there will be is a team with a few good players, no pitching and no bullpen. It’s in complete shambles!
Oh, woe is me! Or maybe not.
I’ll watch the next game, have a beer, and chill out. I don’t need too much encouragement.
Maybe K Maxx will do the worrying for me.
but just a few days a go there was a post called “happy days are here again”
Yep! Maybe people should spend less time trying to characterizing which way the wind blows and just enjoy the season!
Boyer was out of options, which is why the Mets had to waive him.
I think it’s good they let him go, though. He looked absolutely terrible out there, and IMO, Izzy deserved that spot out of Spring Training.
i’m not giving up, but our bullpen is really bad,i don’t see them getting much better.pelfrey i have never been a fan of.i think it’s all going to depend on our bullpen, unfortunately.
Its not as bad as we would believe. It is a bit over used which is what happens when two of your starters go a combined 6 innings in two games plus two extra inning games.
Two guys in the pen have been really bad and one (Parnell) has been up and down. Once game he is good the next bad…
We should let the season settle in before we go and make sweeping judgements.
The Mets are notoriously slow starters to the season and usually don’t start playing the way they are capable until mid may.
What is different this year is they have a much shorter time span to prove they are worth not blowing up at the trading deadline.
So they better get on their horse as a team pretty soon or things will be really bad come July and August as even the guys who are good now will be traded away!
The only reason Boyer got the spot in the first place is because Izzy tweaked something and needed the extra two weeks. The spot WAS Izzy’s; Boyer was just a place-holder.
Friggin’ cookies…….
I admit it, Donal. It was me.
Did you take donal’s cracker away from him.. Watch out birdies bite.
The only parrot here is you. Always chirping the same thing about people and never have one thing to say about the Mets. It’s a good cover for not knowing anything about baseball. Just find someone who does and call them names. I’m sure Donal has a facebook page you can harrass. Leave the rest of us out of it. Read this carefully:
No one cares about you or what you have to say about anything at anytime on any topic anywhere.
You mean I…we…you were…I think I’m going to be sick.
LMAO. See what happens after a night of drinking, Donal? Someone dresses up as Scarlett Johannson, ya’ll get drunk, one thing leads to another and the next thing you know….
Some thought we were out of it after game 1.
This is going to be a up and down season. We are looking for some improvement and establishment by a rookie or two. Hopefully we have better days than not. Good players will get to their normal stats if healthy. Maybe Izzy can get into Parnells head and teach him something about pitching.
I have seen really bad 60′s and 70 teams, we are better than we are showing right now.
Emaus needs to get his feet wet, sit for awhile, listen and learn. Hopefully he’ll pick up and learn.
The New York Mets are in serious trouble?
After 10 games I guess you can draw that conclusion but with 152 games to go I don’t know how “serious” it an really be.
Just so I know, how many games does it take before I can conclude this team isnt going to the world series? I want to be sure I dont give up to soon and be accused of not being a good fan..
Why would you care what others accuse you?
Personally Peter, my opinion is the Mets will be around 80 wins. I know many though that feel they can win 85 to 90 games.
What they will do? Who knows. I gonna support and follow them regardless. I am more into the development and growth of future Mets like Ike Davis, Josh Thole and Jonathon Niese and in the minors Mejia, Tejada and FMart just to name a few.
Enjoy the year and Lets Go Mets!
Bingo
This is the only sane way to watch the Mets this year. I have the feeling that when it gets built up again it won’t be just a one and done to be followed by yet another crash. No more quick fixes, boatloads of cash and draft picks for 40 year old outfielders, no more 100 M dollar bullpens, 50 year old starting pitchers, trades for injured relief pitchers, huge contracts for the Perez, Schowenweiss, Mota’s and Castillo’s of the world, no more rushing of anyone who shows even the slightest chance of being able to do something up here.
This is the grief that we’re going to have to go through because of the excess of the last 6 years and the go for it all, damn the future approach of the last two decades. No matter who the GM was this year there wouldn’t have been any manuerverability in the payroll and without the checkbook your options are even more limited than usual.
I love the Mets faithful………lets hold hands and jump off that ledge…..it’s much easier then actually rooting for a team we claim to be fans of.
No one EVER said it was going to be easy.
How many of you talk about the team and it’s heart or lack there of?
YOU SO CALLED FANS LACK HEART……….
If you want easy then go find another bandwagon.
Dude, cut me and I bleed orange and blue. I’d appreciate it if you don’t claim that I’m a lesser fan than you because I have lower expectations and a different opinion on the team we both love.
If you’re going to write here, you’re going to have to grow thicker skin, thick skin is a perquisite for being a Mets fan anyhow.
My reply was in part because of the alarming “we are in trouble” post but more so because of all the replys.
It doesn’t take a genius to realize that a lot of work still has to be done (Shamsky if you assumed I think otherwise that this team is set well I have a bridge to sell you and it’s not Shea Bridge).
This is a hobby, being a Mets fan, and I can’t understand how “fans” of something they claim to be die hard for are ready to throw in the towel two weeks into the season (or even prior). To me why bother?
Des – sorry for attempting a positive spin on things 2 weeks into the season, if you find that funny well, it’s almost as funny as thinking Reese Havens will be the starting 2nd baseman by the ASB.
Harry Parker, I like the positive fan spin. It’s the LACK OF HEART stuff I was addressing. I’ve been through more losses with the old Brooklyn Dodgers and now the New York Mets than should be my share. Time has taught me to temper expectations. Otherwise I’d be moping around my entire life like a couple of poster do on MMO.
By the way, none of us can foresee the future. But you and Shamsky are selling Reese Havens short. The kid is the real deal. But he needs to show it on the field and not in the doctor’s office.
I didnt think saying the Mets are in trouble had anything to do with how much you love the Mets. I sure hope that Sandy Alderson dont think like Harry Parker otherwise nothing would ever get fixed around here.
Met fan since August 1960 when the dream of national League baseball in New York became a reality. Thank you William Shea.
Harry Parker and Harry C. write posts I often find humorous.
Keep it up guys, it’s going to be a long season and we need some lighthearted nonsense.
They’re 2 1/2 games up on everybody’s no-brainer WS pick.