Yes here comes another post about the Mets personnel choices. We are two weeks away from first pitch so why not. This post will not be about whom I feel should make the team; my problem is with how the Mets make their choices.
Besides the “core” that everyone keeps talking about. By this I mean Wright, Reyes, Bay, K Rod, and Santana. Should anyone’s job be safe right now? Has anyone else on this team really proved that they are a lock to make the opening day roster? I say, absolutely not!
I am a huge John Maine fan, I have been won over by Frenchy, and I salivate over Jon Niese’s potential. The problem is that, this team cannot afford to let deserving players sit while unproven commodities find their way during the season.
Yes I’m talking about Mike Pelfrey, Daniel Murphy, Jeff Francoeur, John Maine… the list goes on. Can the Mets really afford to send a guy like Chris Carter (who has done nothing but rake his entire career) down to AAA?
Can interesting options like Hisanori Takahashi and Nelson Figueroa be ignored when incumbents like Mike Pelfrey and John Maine have done NOTHING in 2 years to prove they deserve to be in the rotation? Sorry Figgy haters… he has outperformed John Maine, Ollie Perez and Mike Pelfrey for two years and counting!
I am not saying that these other options are clear cut favorites, what I am saying is that other teams do not operate this way. Why is there such little competiton in Mets camp, year after year?
Why do the Mets continuously reward mediocre performance? If Mike Pelfrey can’t give us quality starts, if John Maine can’t develop consistent command or an out pitch, if Daniel Murphy doesn’t start hitting…NOW, the Mets need to look elsewhere. I know some of these guys are out of options, but you can’t let options alone dictate your roster.
Lets not kid outselves, this is still a win now team. This is a team that needs to win in the next couple of years.
I’m pretty sure all Mets fans want the best possible team on the field, day in, day out regardless of options and contracts.
