Comments on: From Left Field: Is Last Place Inevitable?

By: Metsie

Metsie — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:22:10 +0000

Regardless of what we think the talent level is on our roster the issue still remains that we play the majority of our games against our own division and our division has vastly improved during the offseason!

Will the Marlins and Nats suddenly beat up on the Phillies and Braves? Doubtful but they will win more games against them that they lost previously and will probably beat us more often than they used to.

So I predict the NL East will be a closer races this year where the Phillies will not be able to secure their playoff 13 games before the season is over and the Nats and Marlins will not be 20 games behind when the season is over but we could be way more than 30 Games out when all is said and done which would net us the 2nd overall pick if Houston is just as horrible as last year!

And who knows maybe that is BY DESIGN!

If the intention is to sell off talent for picks and rebuild with youth, what better way to do that than to make sure you have a team that gets you in the top 5 of the draft for two or three years running so you can pick the cream of the crop to rebuild with?

By: Alan

Alan — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:05:59 +0000

Finishing in last place is almost a certainty. There are many reasons why the 2012 Mets could be better than anticipated by most of the experts. If the new dimensions at Citi Field help get Wright and Bay back on track then that would be one reason. If our “poor to mediocre” starters pitch to their capabilities and a good comeback by our injured players (Davis and Murphy) along with any contribution by Santana would be another.
While I feel that Tejada will play a good shortstop and may hit .275., he will never be the “catalyst” that Reyes was until mid July. Once you subtract the good half season by Carlos Beltran it is easy to see why last place is likely. Yes, the new bullpen could be a lot better but anything would be better than the results of the last two months of 2011

Finishing last would be no embarrassment. But if the team does not approach 100 losses and wins 70-75 games it would indicate that once again Terry Collins has the respect and attention of the roster.

By: Bob L

Bob L — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:52:20 +0000

Looks to me that, the NL East–at least on paper–has morphed into a very tough Division, 4 teams Deep. The Phillies, Braves, Marlins, and Nats could each vie for the Division Title. Which makes it very tough for our Mets to gain enough wind in the Sail to float above the Cellar Steps. i see a 70 – 92 record for 2012. I think some of our young guys will thrive: Davis, Tejada, Murphy, Duda; Thole will have his moments. i think Niese and Gee will have good, competitive, campaigns. The bullpen will be better than it was…but, at the end of the day, we’re a last place team this year.
Bring on 2014 – ’16!

By: Mike Lloyd

Mike Lloyd — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:23:18 +0000

Injuries happen, things occur… Gotta play the games. All things being equal, I believe they’ll have changed managers by July, the kiddie corps will be out in full force, and peeps will come to CITI to see the future, otherwise, it will be the longest of seasons ’round here in a few decades. Not because, this Mets team are terrible, but because everyone else is so much more improved in the division. Over 70 wins will be tough.

By: Hank

Hank — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:51:45 +0000

Inevitable: an unavoidable event; incapable of being avoided or prevented; invariably occurring or appearing.

That’s why they play the games. So no. No, last place is not inevitable.

Likely: possessing or displaying the qualities or characteristics that make something probable; within the realm of credibility; plausible.

That’s what it looks like as of now and from here. So yes. Yes, last place is likely.

By: trs86

trs86 — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:14:09 +0000

Hey nice research. I still say it is difficult and you have to dominate the other divisions while basically beating up on each other.

By: Joe Diaz

Joe Diaz — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:09:09 +0000

I think they will be 74-88.I frankly haven’t had any expectations for a playoff berth since the 2008 season.Even without the injuries of the last 3 years I still didn’t see how a team that kept the same core that choked 2 straight years together expected to get over the hump without bringing in another front end pitcher to support Johan.I didn’t expect them to be under 500 for 3 straight years but never thought they were a playoff team.

By: Trade Wright for Nolan Arenado

Trade Wright for Nolan Arenado — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:59:28 +0000

Happened in the AL East in 2011, 2010, and 2008. The NL West in 2007 had 4 and had 3 in 2010, with the Dodges finishing 1 game under .500. NL Central had 4 in 2008. And, of course, the NL East had all 5 teams finish .500 or better in 2005 and 4 in 2003. Basically, it happened 12% of the time over the past 10 seasons.

By: Mr North Jersey

Mr North Jersey — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:01:38 +0000

that should read “coinciding with as bad a one at the majors”.

By: Mr North Jersey

Mr North Jersey — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:00:20 +0000

Yea I can see that as well. But I think there will be a lot more focus this year on Backman down in AAA especially if and when players like Harvey and Familia along with Capt Kirk and possibly Havens get to AAA. A good season from AAA coinciding with as bad a one as you describe could make for an interesting 2nd half.

By: Alex68

Alex68 — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:54:33 +0000

MNJ, lmao, very good, but no, i am not TRS86, with that being said, i was thinking the same thing, but i doubt it, i think sandy will let collins finish the season unless he has a meltdown or something, whether the fans are calling for collins head or not sandy will let him finish the season, he OBVIOUSLY don’t care what the fans want so, i don’t see backman here this upcoming year… he’ll get a chance to manage familia, mejia, harvey and wheeler though.. imo

By: Mr North Jersey

Mr North Jersey — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:50:31 +0000

Are you sure your not Alex? Maybe I should ask Joe to check the ipp addresses. jk

By: trs86

trs86 — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:48:54 +0000

I would say 0 but I am not Alex.

By: Mr North Jersey

Mr North Jersey — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:44:31 +0000

69-93 sounds rough Alex but running with your opinion that the Mets at best will be 24 games below .500. If say they are 20 games below at the break what percentage would you place on a managerial change ala Backman possibly for the 2nd half?

By: trs86

trs86 — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:37:38 +0000

Because of this format it is very difficult for 4 teams to finish above .500. They would have to have .600 or better records against teams outside of their own division.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:30:39 +0000

This team needs a bonafied top of the rotation starter before we can talk about serious october baseball. teams just don’t win anything without a good 1-2 punch nowadays.

let’s go Harvey/Wheeler.

By: Trade Wright for Nolan Arenado

Trade Wright for Nolan Arenado — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:26:28 +0000

This team will not even be close to 4th place. I can’t foresee any of the other 4 teams in the division finishing below .500 this season…and I cannot foresee The Mets losing less than 92 games. The Mets WILL be in last place by double digits. I think The Braves may end up in 4th place.

By: srt

srt — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:25:56 +0000

On paper, they certainly project to finish last.

Is it inevitable? I can’t make that call now. The season is just too long.

I wouldn’t bet the ranch though on them finishing higher than last place. I’ll be prepared for that, in any case. First season in a long time I’m going in with no expectations and just watching the games for the fun of it. With no expectations, I’ll be looking forward to seeing Dickey pitch, watching the young talent progress and keeping an eye out for the next crop coming up.

By: srt

srt — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:23:01 +0000

I don’t see the automatic NL east winners as the Phillies either.
But then again, you and I are always sharing a brain when it comes to the Phillies. .:)

By: Mr North Jersey

Mr North Jersey — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:22:53 +0000

On paper yes the Mets don’t match up well vs their NL East rivals but as a fan I am always fighting with what I think the team will be and what I hope they will be. If that even makes sense. I don’t dismiss the real possibility that the team may finish last but at the same time the fan in me doesn’t want to accept it holding out for the possibility that with some breaks they may be better than some of the projections say they will be on paper.

It is truly hard being a Mets fan these days.