Mets Woes: Not in a New York State of Mind

Two weeks into the season and who would have thought that the Florida Marlins would be in first place in the National League East. 

The Mets are a game under .500 at 5-6 to start the season.  There is no real reason to panic, yet.  The Mets have been plagued by the injury bug early this season.  This is something that Met fans needed not to see this early.  This team is very weak when it comes to having any prospects in the Minors and the bench isn't the strongest either. 

Jose Reyes was the latest to go down, he's listed at day to day.  Luis Castillo is also day to day with a knee problem.  But the big injury that could smell real trouble for the Mets is the left hamstring of Pedro Martinez. The Mets starting rotation is very thin as it is right now, and now with Pedro out four-six weeks and El Duque now out indefinitely with a foot problem I think it might be time for the Mets to go out and look for some free agent pitching help.

Their starting pitching hasn't just been the problem early on, the bullpen has had its struggles as well.  Aaron Heilman has struggled early on with a 6.23 ERA along with Jorge Sosa.  Matt Wise was supposed to come in and strengthen this already stellar bullpen, but Wise has come in and only pitched one inning and has an ERA of 10.80. 

There have been some positives for the Mets 11 games into the season.  Nelson Figueroa made his first start for New York and pitched very well carrying a perfect game through four and two-thirds innings, getting his first win since 2003. 

The other very nice surprise has been the hitting of Angel Pagan.  I didn't think that he would be playing this well early in the season.  He is hitting .385 with ten RBIs.  The other two pleasant surprises have been the acquisitions from the Nationals, Church and Schneider.  Church has come in and done what he is supposed to do, hit for average and knock some guys in and get on in front of him.  He is hitting .326 with eight RBIs. 

Schneider on the other hand was just supposed to come in and be the wall that they needed behind the dish.  Everyone knew when he came to the Mets that he was a great defensive catcher, but he is also hitting the ball well to start the season.  He is hitting .324 through ten games this year.

It has been a very shaky start to the season for the Amazin' Mets.  They have enough experience and leadership to turn it around and win the NL East.  They did snap their nine game losing streak to the Phillies and started one of their own.  There is no need to panic yet New York Mets fans.