(Blauvelt, April 10, 2001) The '99 Mets finally made the playoffs, but fell short of making it to the World Series. The 2000 Mets went further, getting to the big stage for the first time since 1986, but eventually being outdone by the Bronx Bummers.
The goal for the 2001 Mets is clearly to take things again one step better and bring a World Championship to Shea for the first time in 15 years. Can they do it? The answer is a clear maybe. Our analysis of this year's Mets:
Starting Pitching: Leiter, Appier and Reed give the Mets as strong a 1-2-3 punch as any team in baseball, even the Yankees. Good pitching is hard to come by and the Mets are lucky to have a trio this good. After that, it's Glendon Rusch, who pitched really well last year (albeit with no run support), and could establish himself as a strong number four this season, and Steve Trachsel, who everyone says has the stuff, but has yet to prove that he can be a big winner, looked awful in his Mets debut, and remains a Steve Phillips off-season gamble that could go either way. Still, most clubs would love to be in the position of the Mets going into the season with this rotation.
Relief Pitching: The Mets also seem to be well-armed in the bullpen, and are certainly in good shape as compared to the other teams in their division. Armando Benitez was one of the top closers during the regular season last year, but a liability in the post-season. He gives up too many home runs and is inconsistent -- overpowering and unhittable some days, wild and prone to the gopher ball on others. If this guy doesn't come out of the pen throwing strikes, there's cause for concern. Still, most clubs would love to have someone like Benitez pitching the ninth inning. On paper, the Mets would again seem to be deep in relievers with guys like Franco, Wall, Wendell, White and Cook around, and bums like Rich Rodriquez finally removed form the mix. It will be interesting to see who steps into the long relief role -- this still isn't clear.
Defense: The Mets weren't able to bring Alex Rodriquez into the fold, but they welcome the return at shortstop of "Rey Rod" -- Rey Ordonez -- the glue that holds the Mets infield together. I still wonder if the Mets wouldn't have taken the World Series to a 7th game last year if Ordonez was at short -- the games were close and Ordonez has been known to steal away runs with his glove. Ordonez has also started the season with a hot bat. With a healthy Robin Ventura at third, the always solid Edgardo Alfonzo at second, and Todd Zeile with a full year under his belt as a first baseman, the Mets infield is above average and will be a big boost to the pitching staff this season. Behind the plate, Mike Piazza remains an excellent defensive catcher that can do everything except throw out baserunners (still, mysteriously, about the worst in baseball in this department). The outfield features good gloves in Jay Payton, Timo Perez, and newly-acquired Tsuyoshi Shinjo, but is below-average as a whole.
Offense: Mike Piazza leads the Mets attack and is clearly one of the five most dangerouse hitters in all of baseball. Mark McGwire may hit 'em further, but NOBODY hits 'em harder than Piazza who, if he stays healthy, could win the MVP this season. Robin Ventura is healthy again and should have another big season at the plate (playing hurt all of last season, he still delivered 24 home runs and 84 RBIs). Edgardo Alfonzo, still only 27 years old, improves with age and will better the .324 average, 25 homers and 94 RBIs he put together last season. Todd Zeile will have to improve upon last year's .268 average and 79 RBIs, but should benefit from a second straight year facing NL pitching. The Mets outfield lacks a real big bopper, but Benny Agbayani (currently on the DL) hits the long ball, has a high on-base percentage and, behind Piazza and Alfonzo, was the third best offensive player on the team last season. Jay Payton is becoming a more patient hitter and will improve on the .291, 17 homers and 62 RBIs of 2000. Shinjo is a veteran player with surprising power and excellent speed that will contribute to the offense and maybe even become a force to be reckoned with. Timo Perez will either emerge as the Mets leadoff man and big basestealer or find himself back at Triple-A. Darryl Hamilton gives the Mets a good veteran hitter in the outfield mix. Pratt, McEwing, Harris and Toca give the team some decent, if not spectacular, bats coming off the bench.
All in all, it looks like this will be another big season for the Mets. As the magic 8-ball says, "Outlook Good". Hopefully, the 2001 Mets will turn things up a notch, finallly take the NL East away from the Braves, return to the Fall classic, and win it all this time. Ya gotta believe!
