Despite their extra-innings tie, it was great to see some New York Mets baseball today. The Mets came from behind to tie the Atlanta Braves, 5-5, in their opening spring training game at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie. While the scores really mean nothing in spring training, it’s the performance of players on the cusp that really makes a difference. Some of today’s positives include Fernando Martinez’s two-run homer in the fifth, Chin-Lung [...]

If – A noun or conjunction: an uncertain possibility, a supposition, in case that, granting or supposing that. The word “if” will hold much significance for the 2011 New York Mets. Let’s start with the positives. If Chris Young returns to his mid-2000s form and if R.A. Dickey pitches similarly to last year, the Mets will not be severely affected by the loss of Johan Santana. If Jason Bay remembers how to hit, the Mets [...]

Boy, I can’t wait for this season to get started. This offseason has been filled with a negative feel, whether it be the fact that the Mets have no money to spend, the signing of “mediocre” free agents, Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo’s presence on the team, and now the hoopla surrounding the Wilpons’ money scheme. I have tried to overlook the negative and focus on the positive. Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins seem to [...]

Yesterday at Citi Field, the Mets hosted their first of six annual Citi Field Kids Days, where children from all over the New York area are treated to a private tour of the Mets clubhouse and a complimentary lunch. The kids and the media filed into the Mets clubhouse for a brief presentation and, to the children’s surprise, out stepped Terry Collins flanked by Bobby Parnell, Dillon Gee, R.A. Dickey, Mike Pelfrey, Josh Thole and [...]

With the acquisition of Chin-lung Hu, let’s take a look at some bench options this year for the Mets. Strong depth is always an important factor for success. Just look at the World Series champion San Francisco Giants. Usually, National League teams carry 12 pitchers so that leaves 13 spots for position players. Eight of those will be starters, so the Mets have to construct a bench made up of five players. The first of [...]

OK, so this title is a bit corny, but it certainly rings true as the Mets approach the half-way point of the offseason. Spring training is a little over 1.5 months away, and it appears the Mets still have much to do to gear up for the season. That is of course unless the organization is content with the pieces they have. No offense to Sandy Alderson, but he should be spending more time exploring [...]

While the Mets starting rotation will likely contain several question marks, the bullpen appears to be a revolving door at this point. Two vital pieces from 2010 are likely out, with Hisanori Takahashi heading out west and Pedro Feliciano testing the FA market. Following the non-tender deadline, many serviceable bullpen arms will become available. Some of these candidates may come on the cheaper side and on short term deals, both aspects the Mets would be [...]

So it looks like the Mets will have a new manager sometime before Thanksgiving. The four candidates have completed the second round of interviews in an attempt to secure a position that will be heavily scrutinized over the next season. Once the manager is chosen, the Mets need to switch their focus to importing some talent that could help the ball club next season and beyond. With Sandy Alderson, J.P. Ricciardi and Paul DePodesta, the [...]

The following clip from Family Guy last Sunday pretty much sums up the last few seasons for the Mets. While I don’t mind my favorite show poking fun at my favorite team, it makes me wonder what non-Mets fans think about our team. Here is another example of a a Family Guy Mets bashing. Even besides Family Guy, the Mets are constantly ridiculed as being second-class citizens in New York, and other fans question why [...]

Patience is a virtue, everything happens for a reason, good things come to those who wait, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you have to look before you leap. Cliches aside, the Mets (and us fans) will have to be patient in finding out who will be running the show next year and hopefully beyond. I thoroughly enjoy all the speculation by fans listing who they think will be the next GM or manager. [...]