The 2010 New York Mets: Not a Team To Believe In

After a disgraceful 1993 season, the Mets ran an ad about how things are going to be different in 1994. Then-Mets manager Dallas Green promised that his team would play hard and do whatever it takes to win.

Green felt compelled to do that, attempting to sell fans on the idea of a changed culture within the team. The Mets embarrassed themselves with off-the-field incidents, while adding to the mess by losing almost every day.

This year's Mets decided to do the same thing. They talked about how they believe and how it's about redemption.

It can't get any worse than last year, but it does not mean it's going to be better, either.

The Amazins won't have those catastrophic injuries from last year; it's hard to duplicate that type of stuff.

Of course, the Mets feature three guys that will start the season on the disabled list in Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, and Daniel Murphy, but they should be back shortly.

Even with a healthy team, this team is not a playoff team for several reasons.

The starters are the same as last year, and they don't have the relievers to set a bridge to Francisco Rodriguez. Plus, there are three teams that are better than the Mets in the NL East.

The Mets failed to upgrade their rotation. They were not proactive in getting John Lackey, and after being fooled by Oliver Perez, they decided not to throw money to starters like Jason Marquis, Joel Pineiro, Chien-Ming Wang, and other available pitchers.

That was a mistake.

Anyone would be better than what John Maine, Mike Pelfrey, and Oliver Perez offered last year.

Maine did not pitch much last year, but even then, he is not inspiring. He is a mediocre starter, and may have already peaked in 2006. Plus, he gets hurt every year.

Pelfrey has quickly turned out to be a bust. The hitters love to face him, and he does not have the maturity to be a starter. If anything, he has turned out to be like Perez.

Speaking of Perez, this guy is simply terrible. He gives up gopher balls and walks hitters. He does not have what it takes to be a winner.

One wonders why the Mets gave this headcase a contract that he did not deserve. He was mediocre even before he was re-signed last year. The Mets would have been better off signing Derek Lowe despite the cost.

Perez looks like he's done. It's hard for him to pitch in front of an unforgiving fanbase. 

Beleaguered Mets manager Jerry Manuel should be commended for putting Perez and Pelfrey on notice after a poor spring training. He promoted John Maine to be the second starter rather than starting Pelfrey against the Marlins on Wednesday night.

Jon Neise will be the third starter. He will face the Marlins on Thursday.

Pelfrey becomes the fourth starter while Perez becomes the fifth starter, who will not pitch until two weeks later.

Now, Manuel hopes Neise works out as a solid second starter, but that might be too much to ask. He will be a decent starter, and likely nothing more.

Who knows when Jenrry Mejia will be the starter? Manuel might use him as a setup guy to Rodriguez, but at some point, the kid has to be a starter if Pelfrey or Perez flames out.

It would be wise if Mejia starts in the minors every fifth day. He needs to be familiar with the role.

The problem is that Omar Minaya and Manuel need to win now, or they could lose their respective jobs. They're going to do what's best for them in the short-run.

The Mets want this game to be over in the eighth inning, because Mejia and K-Rod have the stuff to put the game away from there.

The team does not have any other alternatives for the setup guy, just another of their many issues.

The relievers are bad outside of Rodriguez. What choice does the Mets manager have?

The Metropolitans should hit the ball well. That won't be an issue.

It's not just the personnel that will cost the team a division title. The division features three teams in the Phillies, Braves, and Marlins that are superior to the Mets.

The Phillies and the Braves have sterling rotations and a good lineup, complemented by solid bullpens as well.

The Marlins trot out five starters who can win on a given night, and their offense should be better than last year.

There are too many obstacles for this team.

Even if everything goes right, it will not work out, and Manuel and Minaya will likely lose their jobs as a result.

Talk about Manuel being a lousy manager, but he never had the pitchers to work with. Minaya fielded an awful team these last few years.

This ballclub is nothing more than a 78-win team at best.

It's better than last year, but that's not saying much.