Why the Mets Collapsed

The 2011 New York Mets will finish the regular season with a record of 77-86, despite a great run throughout the summer of 2011.  While I didn't expect much from them in the beginning this year, they seemed to give me a thrill this summer that I never expected.  And then...

Well, they pulled off a collapse.  And I can easily tell you why.

With Jose Reyes putting together a spectacular season, with a team-leading .337 average, (next highest is Pagan at .262!), he carried the team after July.

Let's look at some other team leaders:
Home Runs: Carlos Beltran (15), [traded in late July]; David Wright (14); Jason Bay (12); Lucas Duda (10); Scott Hairston & IKE DAVIS (7).

RBIs: Carlos Beltran (66); David Wright (61); Jason Bay (57); Angel Pagan (56); Justin Turner (51); Lucas Duda (50) [did not play full season].

These tradees were the reasons the Mets collapsed. Courtesy of http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-08-02/sports/29862442_1_beltran-deal-carlos-beltran-new-york-mets

Wins: Dillon Gee (13); Chris Capuano (11); JON NIESE (11).


These stats were ALL accomplished with the Mets, not the Mets and another team.

Why the Giants will surprise you this season.

A lot has been made of the Giants injury situation this season.  But they are in better hands than you may think.

I believe Jonathan Goff, a middle linebacker, was never spectacular to begin with.  He is a decent player, but not a huge loss.

Domenik Hixon will be a big loss without Steve Smith.  Look for Victor Cruz to have a good year.

The main problem this year, will be Conerbacks.  With Prince Amukamara out until October and Terrell Thomas out for the year.  Look for an offseason pickup or rookie to step up.

The DH Debate

One designated hitter is as important to an American League baseball team as an entire bench is to a National League team.  They bat for the pitcher and prevent them from getting hurt running or hitting (a la Chien-Ming Wang).  But who should the Yankees bat in 2012?

They can't DH Montero forever with A-Rod signed through age 42.  Montero should not be the starting DH in 2012.

So who should?

The logical choice is to place A-Rod there permenantly until his contract is up in 2017.

Pros of A-Rod as a DH:

• He wouldn't get hurt as much
• It would allow a younger player to step up to be groomed as a successor

Cons of A-Rod as a DH:

• He couldn't be used in interleague play at NL parks

Back Me Up! Back Me Up! The infield bench and starters.

The 2011 Yankee bench has been somewhat weak in some areas, somewhat strong in others, but surprising in all areas.  The question remains, however, is it good enough to be back in full?

Yankee icons Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez aren't getting any younger, but they still have plenty left in the tank if given enough off days.

Which raises the question:

Do they have enough depth?

Three Yankee starting infielders will have guaranteed spots in 2012:
1B Mark Teixeira
SS Derek Jeter
2B Robinson Cano-whose option will be triggered and should be getting a large contract next season.

That leaves a spot for A-Rod in question.  While they will definitley have him going forward, they must decide if he is best suited for third base in 2012, or if it is time for the inevitable move to designated hitter.  More on this will be discussed later in the DH post.  If he is not at third, his replacement is likely Eduardo Nunez, whose fielding has improved tremendously this season after filling in for injured players Jeter and A-Rod.

That leaves a spot on the bench for Ramiro Pena or Jorge Vazquez to claim in spring training.  If neither one can show sufficent skills for a 2012 spot, signing Omar Vizquel isn't a bad idea, as he can play second, third, and short.

But what about Eric Chavez?  He will most likely not be back in 2012, but, hey, A's fans, your bench is calling...

That being said, I project the starting third baseman going forward to be Eduardo Nunez.

Therefore, I see the bench in 2012 looking somewhat like this:
SS Pena
INF Vizquel http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2011-09-21/omar-vizquel-eager-to-play-again-in-2012
C Romine/Montero
OF Dickerson/Golson

Yep, he still plays...and at a very productive level too.

Yankees 2012: The Pitching Problem

For the past 2 years now, the Yankees have struggled with their pitching.  Pitching is key to winning games in the American League East and in the playoffs, and without it, rest assured they will not go very far.

The Yankees have 2 proven starters for 2012 in CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova, but the remaining three spots are a huge question mark.  What do we do about AJ?  Will Phil Hughes rebound? When do we call up new starters?

While CC Sabathia does have an opt out clause this offseason, he will only use it to get a few extra years and more money.  Rest assured unless his friend (Cliff Lee) has an plan to spite the Yankees again, CC is back in pinstripes in 2012.

Ivan Nova has all but claimed the #2 spot in the rotation for 2012.

But who are the others?

Like it or not, one is likely to be AJ Burnett.  No team would be willing enough to pick him up even if the Yankees payed his salary.

Can Phil Hughes claim the 4th?  It will depend on how he fairs in the playoffs and spring training, but mostly spring training.

That leaves one more.  The Yankees will probably not bring back Bartolo Colon or Freddy Garcia next year due to their inability to win consistantly, and age.

They can't go through these games again...

With a number of options for 2012 including the Killer B's (Brackman, Butances, and Banuelos) and Hector Noesi, look for little action in the offseason and a lot of competition in spring training.

Hector Noesi looked good in his start recently, but must give them lengthier outings as 2012 comes.  I project the rotation to look something like this:

CC Sabathia
Ivan Nova
Phil Hughes
AJ Burnett
Hector Noesi or Dellin Butances

But mark my words, if AJ struggles out of the gate in 2012, look for him to be moved to a setup role in the bullpen.
But what about relief?

With the bullpen being nothing like it was projected in spring training, the Yankees must decide who to take and who to trash.

Mariano Rivera may be entering his last year in the major leagues, do they trust Rafael Soriano enough to let him close in 2013 and beyond, or is a trade/callup imminent? Regardless, Soriano will likely enter 2012 as the 7th inning guy.

David Robertson has been a surprise in 2011. He will probably enter 2012 as a situational (jam) reliever and backup closer if Mo is unavailable.

David Robertson and I at a telethon in February 2011.

Will Joba Chamberlain pitch in 2012 at all?  They will likely offer him arbritration and see if he is still as effective as he was in the beginning of 2011.

JoSoMo at full strength in 2012?

That leaves lefty specialists.  With Boone Logan in the midst of a terrible season, will this one be his last in New York?  He is eligible for arbritration and I don't see him getting it.  Look for Manny Banuelos to be in the bullpen in 2012.  Damaso Marte, originally slated to be ready by last July, will enter 2012 as a free agent and will likely not be back on the team in 2012.

How they will be Amazin'

With yet another season coming to an end, many fans may be asking, will the Mets ever be great again?  Well ladies and gentlemen, every solution is different, but there is one thing that must be done to achieve greatness:
Get new owners!

An owner of anything, whether a store, or a sports team, must be able to afford the team.  The Wilpons' are unable to do even that.  Major League Baseball needs to take over the team and find it new owners.

But that is not the only problem.  The Mets have so much talent (and I mean that seriously), but they need to manage it correctly.  Here is my solution.

1) RE-SIGN REYES! Jose Reyes is, when healthy, a perennial all-star, a gold glove Shortstop, a dangerous hitter, and a stolen base threat.  On top of that, he is a Met icon...shall I go on...

2) Get a real closer.  Sorry folks, but I do not feel that Parnell is the answer.  he should be kept, but the closer is another one within the Mets system right now...Manny Acosta!

3) GET NEW PITCHING!  A good rotation would likely include:

1 Dillon Gee*
2 Pedro Beato*
3 R.A. Dickey*
4 Chris Capuano*
5 Edwin Jackson* (could easily be signed to a 2 or 3-year deal)

4)Set a good lineup, such as

SS Reyes
2B Tejada
3B Wright
RF Beltran
LF Bay
CF Duda
1B Davis
C Paulino
P*

This allows for trading Johan Santana to a team that could afford the rest of his salary so that he is off of the books.

Then, the bullpen would look like this:

Closer: Kerry Wood or Mike Pelfrey
Set-up man: Jason Isringhausen
Lefty specialist: Tim Byrdak
Long reliever: Bobby Parnell

And the bench would be:

Infielder: Justin Turner
Outfielder: Angel Pagan, Jason Pridie, & Fernando Martinez (who can also be a designated hitter in interleague play)

The coaching staff remains the same.

New York Groove: Intorduction

New York Groove: Introduction: Welcome! This blog is your source for sports happenings in New York: Whether baseball, football, or elsewhere in the world of New York Sport...

Yankees 2012: The Catching Conundrum

For 10 years, the Yankees were led at catcher by Jorge Posada.  With his career winding down, the Yankees have some choices to make.

1) Do we re-sign Russell?
Russell Martin began the 2011 season as threat on offense AND defense, but gradually his offense declined in May and beyond.  Still, I feel that this is a no-brainer, Russell Martin needs to come back as a starter in 2012 and beyond.  His defense, as well as his health, is the key to his return.

And he is...OUT AT THE PLATE!  Iamge courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithallison/5650985939/

2) Who is our backup?
Francisco Cervelli was recently diagnosed with his fourth career concussion.  While his bat and defense were an improvment in 2011, the Yankees have many viable backups in Austin Romine, and even Jesus Montero, and I do not think he will be re-signed.

3) What do we do with Posada?
Like I said, Posada has been a Yankee icon for a long time, and one of my favorite players, going back to the dynastic years.  His best years are behind him and unless he joins the coaching staff or becomes the bullpen catcher, there is no place for him UNLESS the Yankees decide to wait on Cervelli, who is out indefinitely (and they likely won't).  If he leaves, rest assured he WILL be missed in Yankee Stadium.

We have likely seen the last of Jorge :( Image courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithallison/6084726177/in/photostream/

With a few improvements, the Yankees will have some of the best defensive, (and maybe even offensive), catchers in the league.