A Different New York Mets in 2009? Let's Take a Closer Look

Well, the 2009 baseball seasons is well underway, and with 26 games (13-13) under their belt, the Metropolitans of New York are seriously looking to turn their dreadful endings in 2006, 2007, and 2008 (more so the last two years) with a hope to have interleague play in the fall, for their first appearance in the world series since the 2000 subway series.

Yet, as much as I am a diehard Mets fan, having watched or listened to every single game in its entirety the whole regular season so far, and as much as I wish for the Metsies to go all the way, so far, they are not exactly proving they are the superior team that many are making them out to be.  

With this in mind, I have compiled what I believe to be some of the things that excite me and some that worry me about the '09 Amazins, as of today's win against the defending champs at home in sparkling new Citi Field (or as I like to refer to it, the new and improved Shea).

Positives

1) Johan Santana.  There is nobody in all of major league baseball that can rival this pitcher (even Greinke from KC will have a tough time against the experience of Santana, although I would love to watch that pitcher's duel).  

His low ERA and high K count just need not be further explained (along with his winning of NL pitcher of the month for April).  However, the Mets can't rely on only one player.

2) Beltran's hitting.  Although his hitting streak unfortunately came to an end tonight at the hand of the Phils, Beltran is feeling the best he has in all his career.  With an average well above .300 and an OBP above that, Beltran is igniting the Mets right now.

3. Wins against the tough teams.  No explanation needed- NYM has performed (usually) superbly over their better rivals, specifically Atlanta and Philadelphia.

4. A deep bench.  I learned more about the Mets bench while playing MLB 2K9 (a great game, FYI), but seeing it in action solidifies the fact that they can play well deep into games.  With Tatis, Cora, Sheff, Reed, and Santos/Castro, I don't see how the Mets' bench can be rivaled.

5. Jerry Manuel.  I believe he is a better fit for the laid back Mets who like to have fun.  Unlike the Yankees-esqe days of Randolph (shaved face, cleanliness etc.), it's good to see the antics of Reyes and the other players return and have a lighter and laxer feel in the dugout.

Unfortunately, the list of things that worry me far outnumber the list of positives (and that could also mean I'm a pessimist, nonetheless,):

Negatives

1. Where are the bats?  Reyes, Wright, and recently Castillo, Delgado, and Church have all delved into slumps.  Reyes, usually the igniter, has only six hits in the last 47 (I think) ABs, Wright is striking out at an all time high rate, and after starting on fire, the three guys playing on the right side of the diamond have all slowed down.  

Clutch hitting is not evident in key spots, and the Mets leave tons of guys on base and in scoring position all the time.  It really shows something that the Mets have one of the highest OBP and the lowest Runs Scored in the NL.

2. Starters sans Santana.  Pelfrey is not the 15-game winner we saw last year, nor is Maine from 2007, although neither has anything on Ollie Perez, who has an ERA approaching that of Chien Ming Wang from across town (formerly, now in AAA).  Livan has some solid outings, yet he gets into trouble a lot that has fans at the edge of their seats.

3. Oopsies.  The Mets, none more evident than rookie Daniel Murphy, have made an unusually high amount of errors, some more detrimental than others (i.e. NYM@FLA back in April where the Marlins won 2-1 on a Murphy dropped fly ball).  

Delgado had that awful dropped ball yesterday in Turner Field that almost cost the Mets the game in the ninth inning, and Church and Castillo have been struggling too at times.

4. The so-called "revamped" bullpen.  We need some lefties. Feliciano can not be expected to hold of the bats of players like Howard and Utley all year, and our rookies (like Fossum) aren't great. Rodriguez is a nail-biter (although he gets the job done), and Parnell is pretty strong.

I have not been impressed with Green, but more so, disappointed in the shoddy performances of Putz, who has given up clutch hits to opponents deep in close games. Good thing he sat out in tonight's 1-0 thriller.

5. Citi Field.  Although the fans love it, the players are still having a tough time adjusting. Caroms off the wall still take many by surprise, and the deep and high outfield walls frustrate power hitters. Hopefully they'll get used to it soon.

6. Base running lacking aggressiveness. Until just recently, much of the Mets' base runnning has been very restrained. Not many steals have been attempted, and those that have, there's been a good amount of CS's too. Nothing aggravated me more, however, than when Beltran didn't slide home or into second in St. Louis.  Why??

The season is young, and only time will tell if the Mets have what it takes to make it to October.  I sure hope so.

-DJE