May
10
2012

We Get To See The Kids Play, This Is Exactly What I Wanted

An article by Dan Valis

This is a year of transition for the Mets. In a year of transition the goal is to see what you have for the future as you look to build a winning team.

Some, but not all of the players who we are seeing in the lineup this season are part of the solution. The others may not be part of the problem, but that doesn’t mean that they are going to help us contend for a championship either.

This team as presently constituted is full of hungry players looking to make a name for themselves. Aside from guys like David Wright and Johan Santana, none of these players are proven. They are looking to build a career in the Majors, whether that is with the Mets or somebody else.

I am not sitting here and saying that I am happy to see some people get injured, but their absence has opened the door for some young players to showcase their talent.

The Andres Torres and Jason Bay’s injuries opened the door for us to see what we had in Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Mike Pelfrey going down may have paved the way for us to (hopefully) see some of our young arms. Now Ruben Tejada lands himself on the DL and we get to see what we have in Jordanny Valdespin.

Not all of these guys will be here next year. Their showcases now may prove they are here for he long-term, or they could intrigue some other teams who are looking to fill a certain position and may contact the Mets to try to work out a deal. Nothing but good can come from all of this and I am ecstatic to get to see what we have in our young players.

Hopefully we will get to see a lot more of them as the season goes along. Now we just need to make sure Mejia makes it back before Chris Young, because I want to see him start and not as a reliever.

About the Author: Dan Valis

I am a staff writer for Mets Merized Online. I am a Mets team analyst with a focus on the minor league system, as well as the major league club. I am a lifelong New Yorker who was born and raised to be a Mets fan. The ups and downs of being a Mets fan is what makes following this team so much fun, but at times so frustrating. You can follow me on Twitter @BgAppleMetsTalk.

7 Comments + Add Comment

L.J. Phipps May 10, 2012 at 1:26 pm

I am with you, and as I stated before its refreshing to see the young guys come up and come through. Yes there will be some growing pains, but if 2 or 3 of these players pan out it will be worth it. If Ike can get it going, and LuDu gets back up to speed the lineup will be a beast. I appreciate what Kirk is doing too, I was a little angered at first that Collins chose to move him out of center once Torres came back, but it looks like he is making the adjustments. If Niese and Gee pitch well we might well be surprised. Again it is early, and the season’s a grind so I will be happy if the team is 5 games above .500 in late July or August. Lets go Mets.
Kevin May 10, 2012 at 1:51 pm

I will actually go and buy tickets to see Terry’s Babies. They are worth watching I never thought I would say that for this year. Maybe the bouncy Baby Jose Reyes leaving was a good thing.
- Metstheory22 May 10, 2012 at 2:01 pm
  
  Like the nickname. I like “Terry’s Babies”.
  Want to see soem more, when they are ready.
  - Metstheory22 May 10, 2012 at 2:02 pm
    
    S/B.. Want to see some more…
Nathan May 10, 2012 at 5:17 pm

Playing younger players IMO has always been preferential to signing over the hill stop-gaps. I doubt very much that all of these guys will be productive ML players but most show talent that will at least provide insurance. I just hope we don’t get ahead of ourselves and start projecting these guys based on small sample sizes.
- Bayonne Mets Fan May 10, 2012 at 5:34 pm
  
  Everybody loves younger players but if you want to win you’re going to need 30+ and even sometimes 40 year old veterans to show the way or who have been there. There’s no getting around it. Look at Andres Torres, he’s won me over not only by his play but he stands out. Among all the kids he stands out as a TRUE major league professional who has been there.
  
  That’s what you will need in order to win. There is no set makeup to a team – it consists of all ages.
METS fan since 1985 May 10, 2012 at 11:15 pm

I am happy with this team so far. I really think we have a shot for the division and wild card. I know, I know its still way too early but this team just has a killer instinct and does not quit. The young kids love to play hard and win for Terry and themselves. The guys all like each other and there are no more of the egos and headaches of Delgado, Beltran, K-Rod, Pedro, Reyes and Wagner anymore. This is Wright’s team and if we can continue to play hard and stay healthy then who knows. By September, this team could be in something.

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	24	18	.571	-
Nationals	23	20	.535	1.5
Phillies	20	23	.465	4.5
Mets	16	24	.400	7.0
Marlins	11	32	.256	13.5

Last updated: 05/18/2013

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