Mets 2012: A Review

Well, it's official, the New York Mets will finish the 2012 Major League Season with a record of 74-85.

(Not So) Fantastic at 50

The season that they started out on was not at all the season that they finished. Dramatic wins, heartbreaking losses. Great starters, horrible bullpens, and historic moments, cannot alleviate the pain of another lost season.

However, that doesn't mean that they cannot improve for next season.

Infield
The Mets primary move this season is to re-sign star third baseman David Wright to a long-term (six or seven year) contract. They cannot trigger his 2013 option without attempting a long-term deal. His option is worth $16 million for the 2013 season. He hit .306 with 21 homers and 93 RBIs while scoring 91 runs. He set the Mets hits and RBI record earlier in September.

In addition, Justin Turner, former second baseman turned backup, will return. Turner hit .266 with two homers and 19 RBIs in 2012. He has become one of my favorites for his ability to come through in the clutch.

Daniel Murphy, .293, six homers, 65 RBIs, has made up for his lack of power with his great production.

Ike Davis has been coming up as a trade target for the Mets following his strong finish this season. The Red Sox look to be in hot pursuit. While Ike is not a star player, I would be disappointed to see him go.

Ruben Tejada (.285, 25 RBIs and 53 runs scored) is a lock for the shortstop job in 2013.

The same cannot be said for Ronny Cedeno, the infielder signed to a reserve role in 2012. He hit just .259 last season and should not return.

Outfield
One of the few changes last season began with the trade that netted Andres Torres. Torres in turn was more or less a solid complimentary piece, hitting .230 with 34 RBIs and 46 runs scored. With the rise of young talent like Lucas Duda and Captain Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Torres is a sure-fire goner.

Which brings us to good old Jason Bay. The worst player on the team, Bay hit just .165 with 8 homers, 20 RBIs, and, get this, 58 strikeouts. GET OUT NOW!!!!! Bay has one year and $16 million left on his contract for 2013. The team NEEDS to trade Bay now. Don't give me this "bad season, can't trade" crap. If the Red Sox can unload Beckett and Crawford in one deal, than the Mets can certainly eat Bay's contract.

Meanwhile, the Mets $1 million dollar man, Scott Hairston, hit .263 with 19 homers, 55 RBIs and 51 runs scored. He absolutely MUST come back.

Mike Baxter, .263 with 17 RBIs and 26 runs scored in just 88 games, is a leading candidate to replace Bay or Torres.

Catchers
Josh Thole, .234 1 homer and 21 RBIs, was an offensive disappointment this season. Even with the games he missed with a concussion, he has failed again to put up solid offensive numbers. He is arbiration eligible and he will likely return, but his time is running out.

Kelly Shoppach, .237 with 8 homers 27 RBIs and 23 runs scored, is likely to be let go. But with the poor season Mike Nickeas has had, he is possibly a return if Nickeas is demoted.

Starting Pitchers

The Mets starters were brilliant this season, and all gave their greatest effort.

 

 

Johan Santana (6-9, 4.85 ERA), started the season, with a victory, pitched the Mets first no-hitter in June, and fell apart afterwards. He is due to make $25 million next season, and his option will not be triggered in 2014. The Mets must make sure he is healthy for 2013, his farewell tour in New York.

 

"In their 51st Season, Johan Santana has thrown the first no-hitter in New York Mets history!" (Gary Cohen)

 

Meanwhile, the Mets true ace, R.A. Dickey (21-6), is up for free agency in 2013. He must be extended in the offseason, even as he turns 38 in October.

Jon Niese (13-9, 3.40 ERA) is stepping into the role of Mets ace. He needs to prove he can handle the pressure next season.

 

Chris Young (4-9 4.15 ERA) is ending his Mets career with a no-decision. With the Mets headed towards a "2014 or bust" campaign, and Chris being 33-years-Young (see what I did there?), the Mets are unlikely to retain him.

 

With Jenry Mejia, Matt Harvey, and Collin McHugh up and ready, the end is nigh for former draft bust Mike Pelfrey. Pelf (0-0) in three games with 24 hits in 19 innings, ends his Mets career in a disasterous fashion, with Tommy John surgery in April.

 

Menawhile, Dillon Gee (6-7 with a 4.10 ERA) was shut down with a major arm injury. Gee is a good young pitcher and the Mets hope he can return to form in 2013.

 

Bullpen

The worst part of the Mets that did them in was their bullpen, worst in the MLB in many categories.

 

Closer Frank Francisco needs to be cut loose as he is likely to miss the entire 2013 season with elbow tendonitis. That means that the team needs to go after a quality closer next season. His 23 saves led the team but his 5.53 ERA is an utter disaster for a closer.

Francisco after blowing a save.

 

Jon Rauch (3-7, 3.59 ERA) cleaned up his act in the second half, but the 34-year-old former Olympian was a disaster for the better part of the first half. Since he only signed a one-year deal, he is G-O-N-E GONE!

 

Bobby Parnell (5-4, 2.53 ERA) put up solid numbers, but his lack of closing ability renders him to an eighth inning role. He will return, but NOT as a closer.

 

Ramon Ramirez (3-4, 4.24 ERA and 1 save) is gone. The Mets bullpen was a disaster, and he didn't help at all.

 

Sadly, the Mets ace reliever, Tim Byrdak (2-2 4.40 ERA) is likely to miss the entire season in 2013 because of his shoulder surgery. He will not return on more than a minor league deal, and his career could very well be over, as he turns 39 on Halloween.

 

And finally...

 

Coaches

Manager Terry Collins has a very stressful job as Mets manager. His 2013 option was triggered following last season, and he must return.

 

 

 

Dan Warthen, meanwhile, is safe. The Mets pitchers were stellar last season dicounting Pelfrey and Johan after his injury. Why screw up a good thing.

 

Tom Goodwin, Tim Teufel, and Dave Hudgens are all safe, as the Mets outfielders, base running, and offense have been up to par this season.

 

However, you will notice that there is one man who I have not mentioned here as safe.

 

Bullpen coach Ricky Bones should, must, and will be fired. The Mets bullpen, dead worst in Major League Baseball in 2012. The Mets earliest move this offseason should be to fire Bones and look for a better bullpen coach.

 

The Mets future looks extremely bright, esspecially after the 2014 season when the remaining bad contracts are up. The task ahead for Manager Terry Collins is a hard one, but when all is said and done, he will be credited with the rebuilding of a great, historic franchise.

 

 

I am sorely disappointed that the season is over, but I CANNOT WAIT for an even better 2013 season, when we can once again sing...

 

Meet the Mets

Meet the Mets

Step Right Up and Greet the Mets

Bring Your Kiddies

Bring Your Wife
Guaranteed to Have the Time of Your Life
Because the Mets Are Really Rockin' That Ball
Hittin' Those Home Runs Over the Wall
East Side, West Side
Everybody Come Down
To Meet the M-E-T-S Mets
Of New York Tiown!