You Gotta Believe?

[tophizzle]

The Mets, love 'em or hate 'em they're shaping up look great this year.

Matsui
Pedro
Glavine
Piazza (oldies are the goodies)
Mientkiewicz

I'm hoping this team pulls through. On paper this looks like a playoff team to me. But it could also be a '92 repeat and they can be the new "worst team money can buy". So what do you guys think. Will they flop?

[Devastation]

I don't think they'll flop, but I don't think they'll win their division either. Philadelphia and Atlanta are strong as well.

[TheDawgPound72]

Yeah, too many older players who probably won't be able to stay healthy, or be productive as they have been in the past...

The team you have to believe in this year is the Indians. They have a solid rotation, with Sabathia, Westbrook (both All Stars), Millwood, Lee, and Elarton, giving the Tribe a great chance to win every game. The bullpen has been reformed, with Wickman back as closer, and the additions of Arthur Rhodes and Paul Shuey, to go along with Riske as the set up men. The Tribe's strongest asset is their hitting, with an All Star C in Martinez, and a potential All Star in Hafner (if All Stars were named at the end of the season, he would have been one). We have a solid infield, with Aaron Boone, an All Star in Belliard, two young players in Peralta and Phillips, and a solid utility player in Jose Hernandez. In time, Coco Crisp will develop into one of the better leadoff hitters in the game, and with the progression of Grady Sizemore, we have a good, young outfield, along with Casey Blake out there. Not to mention Juan Gonzalez, who signed a low risk contract and may be able to put up big numbers.

[tophizzle]

Don't forget them Nationals!

How could I forget Beltran, I think this man has a lot of potential in the big apple.

[STiSchucky]

Travis Hafner rules(local), and Coco Crisp is the best name of all time. Tribe was in it all last year, but fell off in september, Twins still got the best team in that division.

Johan will win 25 games probably.

[TheDawgPound72]

As Nerdcraft would say, Freakin Pronk...

[piggyman18]

I'm not a Mets fan but I'm rootin for them this season. There one of those teams that I've never disliked and now that they've got the potential, I'll watch their games. Even if it's only because I want to see Pedro bean someone then start a massive brawl.

[Devastation]

Yeah, it'd be nice to see the Mets do well, but I think there's just too much competition in that division.

But hey, stranger things have happened (See last season).

[piggyman18]

Last season and the two before is with the Marlins and Angels

[ps527]

i am a huge metfan

this season is shaping up great, the mets will develop a rivarly between the marlins, for three reasons: 1) leiter, 2) delgado 3) they will finish 1 and 2

of course no one in new york is picking atlanta to win again so chances are they will win the division again.

[JerkyMyTurky]

I'm a Mets fan and I can't judge this team yet. They can be hit or miss. If they stay healthy, they have a very good team on paper and can produce. They have a good starting five, it is solid from 1-5. They also have a good batting order than can score runs. A good mix of young and old players. Reyes and Wright are potential stars in this league, but both have yet to prove themselves for a full season. Their defense is solid as well, infield and outfield. They lack in the bullpen and that may be their only major problem. With Pedro and Glavine giving at most 6 good innings, meaning the bull pen will be called upon often and overworked, this is what scares me. The team's chemistry is also important, with the arrival of a new head coach. I think they should play small ball, with plenty of base stealing and hit and runs. They are in one of the best divisions in baseball, even with the Nationals. The Braves, Marlins, Phillies and Mets are all quality teams. The Nationals, formely the Expos were also competitive for the most part. I can see them making it into the playoffs.

[Maxlikesboys911]

Cubs will beat every one this year getting rid of sammy was the best thing for the club and i think Brunitz is a huge help and one who agrees give me reps as i will do the same for them

[tophizzle]

Cubs will beat every one this year getting rid of sammy was the best thing for the club and i think Brunitz is a huge help and one who agrees give me reps as i will do the same for them

Umm this is a mets thread?

[/Tilt/]

No bullpen=No division.

[_/`\o_]

Player, 04 avg, carrer avg
Piazza .266 .315
Mientkiewicz .238 .272
Matsui .272 .272
Reyes .255 .283
Wright .293 .293
Cameron .231 .248
Beltran .267 .284
Floyd .260 .283

That will be the Mets line up (I think). The Mets does not have a single player that hit above 300 and Piazza is the only batter to hit above 300 in his carrer. I think they have good fielder and many of them can steal many bases, but they can't hit.

Benson 4.31, 1.31
Glavine 3.60, 1.29
Martinez 3.90, 1.17
Jae Seo 4.90, 1.56
Trachsel 4.00, 1.41
Zambrano 4.37, 1.56
Mets potential SPs. They do have Glavine and Pedro, but rest of the rotation isn't much

And Mets have a weak bullpen that they did not improve during this offseason.
I'm guessing that Mets will end up 3rd or 4th in NL East.

[/Tilt/]

Kris Benson has a hot wife.

[ps527]

aight i have been a huge zambrano fan and i was estatic when the mets got him, one of the few supporters of the trade. I think he will win the cy young

[piggyman18]

Well is there anyone out there that can contest against zombrano? I think not. "Oh man Roger Clemens and his freakishly huge steroided head are gonna win a cy young!!" Yeah, right.

[ps527]

im talking about v. zambrano and im sure lots of people including his brother can contest.

[piggyman18]

I know who you were talking about; I was agreeing with you.