As predicted, the NY Mets have begun to break down. The first to officially join the Disabled List is Moises Alou, who will be out 4-6 with a groin injury. I doubt he returns before June. In addition, Carlos Delgado is hobbled by a bad hip. If that isn't properly rehabbed, he'll struggle with that all year. El Duque' has yet to throw a Spring Training pitch due to a bad toe.
Mets RHP Pedro Martinez is scheduled to make his first spring training start Thursday night against Washington. We'll see how long it takes for him to make his annual trip to the DL.
The Mets brass have to be concerned about the frailty and age of their team. They are counting on productive seasons from Delgado, Alou and Martinez. So far, these players have been far from productive.
2 comments:
Yes, the Mets have some age. But the guys you mention are guys that were either only part-timers last year (Alou, El Duque), virtual no-shows (Pedro) or simply stunk (Delgado). If all four only repeat last year's performance, the Met's are still in a better place because they shed a couple of losers like Sean Green and Paul LoDuca, and they get back healthy Endy Chavez, Luis Castillo, and Duaner Sanchez to go along with Johan. I'd be shocked if the Met's did not have a double-digit lead by the All Star break. I think the Braves are on the downslide in terms of talent (Glavine will be lucky to get 10 wins), and the Phils can't expect some of their players to sustain the breakout years they had last year. Plus, the Brad Lidge experiment is on hold and Cole Hamels isn't happy about getting his contract renewed at the minimum while Ryan Howard scores $10 Million in arbitration. If the locker room becomes fractured, is Charley Manuel the guy to fix it? Will he even be able to find it? I think a realistic outlook suggests the Met's won't have any meaningful games after July, just like 2006. They appear to be the best of a mediocre group.
I can't see the Mets running away with the East at all. Martinez and Hernandez just won't hold up and the Mets will be forced to look for a 4th and 5th starter from AAA.
Believe it or not, Manual has the respect of the Phillies players. They'd run through walls for him. I can't say the same for Randolph.
You make some decent points, but I see it that the Mets will be neck and neck with the Phillies and then break down in August. Delgado, Alou, Martinez, El Duque' won't help late in the year and if the Mets count on Endy Chavez and Luis Castillo as stop gaps, they'll end up in 3rd place and Randolph will lose his job !
It'll be interesting ! 15 more days till Opening day.
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