2011 New York Mets MLB Preview (2010 record: 79-83, fourth place in NL East)
Last year was a rough one for the Mets thanks to managerial upheaval and a rash of injuries to all their front-line starters. From Jose Reyes to Carlos Beltran, Jason Bay to ace pitcher Johan Santana fell into a DL hole, which they never emerged from again. But with a new manager in Terry Collins, and a newly healthy batting order, there is a new hope in Flushing.
Both Reyes and Beltran need to get healthy for the Mets to succeed, however. They both offer opposite benefits—Reyes’ speed and average vs. Beltran’s power and defense—that the team needs to build around. Young players like Ike Davis, Brad Emaus and Josh Thole could only benefit from their presence, and David Wright would like to knock someone in for a run, or be knocked in himself.
On the pitching front, this gets trickier. While Santana is still on the disabled list until at least the All-Star Break, the starting rotation doesn’t look too intimidating. But just because they don’t have any star names doesn’t mean they can’t win any games. Pitchers like RA Dickey, Mike Pelefrey and Jon Niese are solid, if unspectacular, and will be able to take the team into the later innings up on the scoreboard. The main question is whether Francisco Rodriguez can finish games late into the season, and not get in to the type of off-the-field problems he had last year. If so, the Mets could be a surprise contender in the NL East in 2011.
2010 New York Mets MLB Preview:
In 2007 and 2008, the New York Mets were edged out of the playoffs late in the season, in a bitter end for faithful fans. The 2009 season was anything but sweet for a club that was decimated by injuries to its star players. But the 2010 New York Mets are so close to a National League East title they can taste it.
It takes a complete team to capture a division title - starting pitching, sound base running, run-producers, a reliable bullpen - and the Mets have just about all of it. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana will return as the staff's ace this year after compiling 29 wins and sporting a miniscule ERA for the team over the last two seasons.
While Santana is certainly capable of pitching deep into ballgames, he definitely won't have to. A solid bullpen led by closer Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez - who owns the MLB record for saves in a season - will get the 2010 New York Mets through the late innings by dazzling opposing hitters.
With bated breath Mets fans will see how superstar shortstop Jose Reyes can rebound from last year's injury and await the return of slugger Carlos Beltran to round out their powerful lineup, which is anchored by franchise player David Wright.
2009 New York Mets MLB Preview:
New York Mets fans must be smiling heading into the 2009 season, because they have a great team and a brand new ballpark. Mets Manager Jerry Manuel fields a lineup that includes big-name players like Carlos Beltran, David Wright and Jose Reyes. Throw in pitchers Johan Santana, Francisco Rodriguez and Billy Wagner and you have to love the NY Mets chances in 2009.
Aside from all of the talent on the field, Mets fans also have a shiny new ballpark to call home. The New York Mets will play their first-season at Citi Field, after completing 44 years at Shea Stadium. The combination of the Mets talent, their fans excitement and their new ballpark just might propel New York to their first World Series Championship in 23 years.
2008 New York Mets MLB Preview:
The New York Mets are one of the top teams to watch in the National League this season. After their high hopes were dashed by injuries and a tough ending to the 2007 season, Mets fans are still optimistic the team will make a strong run in the post-season this year. Led by the veteran leadership of Moises Alou, the pitching of Pedro Martinez and the hitting of David Wright, the Mets may prove to be the team to beat this year. Don't miss any of the action as fans fill Shea Stadium for its final year of baseball!