By Bob Bonett
Am I the only one that turned my head and even laughed a little over the absurdity of Jimmy Rollins’ claim the other day?
Does the Phillies shortstop actually believe that the Phillies are the “team to beat?”
Come on Jimmy! You forgot about the Mets!
Alright alright, yes, I am a Mets fan. And, yes, I am a Phillies hater. But how short-term is Jimmy’s memory? Does he not remember who the defending kings of the National League East are?
Well, if Jimmy doesn’t remember, I will assume all of you Philadelphia fans may have forgotten as well. The New York Metropolitans were the cream of the NL East crop last year.
The Mets dominance was no mistake, by the way. They didn’t get lucky and squeak by the Braves, Phillies, Marlins, and that other team. (The Nationals, I think? Or is it the Expos?) They were easily the best of the east, running away with the division.
Go ahead, pick the Mets apart. Say that they can’t pitch. Point out the fact that they can’t field. Tell us Mets fans that our team is inconsistent at the plate.
As usual, Philadelphia sports fans, your claims are way off base.
How about we start with the Mets’ rotation. A year ago, nobody was too concerned about the aging one-two punch of Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine. Moreover, a rotation ending with the ageless Orlando Hernandez, mediocre Steve Trachsel, and young John Maine certainly didn’t necessarily scare anyone.
But guess what, Phillies fans. This rotation was good enough to completely obliterate the National League East.
On top of that, this passable rotation at best, according to most standards, will be better this year.
Yes, I just did dare to say that the Mets rotation improved in the off-season. This supposedly asinine statement has its rationale, though.
Clearly, losing the staff’s ace, Pedro Martinez, to injury for the beginning of the season will hurt. I will not deny that. Remember, though, that a fresh Pedro Martinez is the best Pedro Martinez. And if the controversial hurler has only 100 innings under his belt come the stretch run, opposing hitters better beware.
Following Pedro in the rotation will be a trio of usual suspects, including Tom Glavine, who is without question still a 15-game winner, Orlando Hernandez, who as a three-starter, is not that bad of an option with such a lineup behind him, (which I will get to later), and John Maine, an above average four starter that has shown he can pitch a shutout at any given time.
Perhaps the most provocative aspect of the Mets’ rotation is the tail end, where there is a plethora of players to pick from. Oliver Perez, who is lights out against lefties, has proven in the past that he can deliver, (just look at the 2006 playoffs). Chan Ho Park, albeit risky, is a quality stopgap when needed. Mike Pelfrey is one of the most touted pitching prospects in the Majors. Finally, in case of emergency, Cuban superstar Any Soler, former Brave prospect Jorge Sosa, and the lefty specialist Dave Williams lurk.
Proceed to the men that will be finishing off what the rotation starts, the bullpen. Quite frankly, the Mets possess one of the best bullpens in baseball.
Call me crazy, but this pen is incredibly deep. For the middle innings, Aaron Heilman, a two or three starter on any team in the majors, is always reliable. Later in the game, Duaner Sanchez, coming off of his breakout season, Pedro Feliciano, returning from a very productive year, and Guillermo Mota, upon returning from his steroid suspension, will intimidate opposition with incredible off-speed pitches, (and perhaps from Mota and Sanchez, the occasional fastball).
Finishing off the game will be the little lightning-throwing lefty, Bill Wagner. There is no need to explain the quality of this arm in the bullpen, as Wagner is clearly one of the game’s premiere closers.
Not convinced of the depth of the bullpen? I will throw out two names that the opposition better get used to hearing: Ambiorix Burgos and Joe Smith. Two young fire-ballers, with a little early season maturity, these two guys could be hitting 100 mph on the gun come playoff time.
Fielding, admittedly, has the potential to be a problem at certain positions for the Mets. However, as questionable as some players are, others more than make up for it. Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, David Wright, Shawn Green and the entire pitching staff (just look at the fielding history El Duque and Glavine) are all defensive masterminds. Paul Lo Duca can perform well enough behind the plat,e while the second base platoon (consisting of Jose Valentin, Anderson Hernandez, and Damion Easley) will all be serviceable. Sure, Moises Alou may be a liability, but with Endy Chavez’ acrobats behind him, and Lastings Milledge’s developing arm, late inning help won’t be a problem. As for Delgado, last year he looked better than ever, and for a first baseman, he will work.
Now, for the best part, the best lineup in baseball. The seven-hitter on the Mets will be Green, a .280 avg./20 home run guy. Reyes, leading the way, has improved his power, and can change the entire course of the game simply on the bases. Finally, Wright, Alou, Beltran, and Delgado will serve as the best three through six combination in the majors.
That being said, Philly fans, will Wes Helms save the team by playing third base? Or will the edition of Adam Eaton and Freddy Garcia be enough to make up more than ten games in the standings?
Philadelphia, you may have gotten better, but the Mets did too. You might as well look at the bright side; second place is still up for grabs.
Don’t hate the Mets, Phillies fans, appreciate.
