Five games into the 2010 season, the New York Mets have shown that they will have no problem competing, but at the same time, there is still room for improvement.
The 2-3 Mets have drastically improved their offense from the woeful 2009 lineup. Power is now looking to be an advantage for the Metropolitans, as newcomer Rod Barajas just recently enjoyed a two-home run performance, as did Jeff Francoeur, who looks to excel in his first full season in New York.
Free agent acquisition Jason Bay has also displayed outstanding offensive output. He has already taken advantage of the vast outfield in his new home ballpark; he shot a liner all the way to the left-center field wall on Opening Day for his first triple of the season.
A resurgent David Wright has already shown a new and improved approach offensively. His stance is slightly altered in 2010. He is standing a tad more bent at the knees, and his arms are noticeably lowered. Wright's first at-bat of the season resulted in a home run to right field. He has also put up considerably better at-bat's than he did last season; he has walked six times in the first five games.
The new David Wright now looks to pull the ball with power. Coming off a season in which he hit only ten homers, Wright realized change was needed. He participated in rigorous off-season weight training, and has greatly strengthened his upper body. Look for him to return to form as a vaunted home run threat this season.
Right fielder Jeff Francoeur has performed excellently thus far in 2010. He is hitting the cover off the ball, batting .444, but more importantly sporting an OBP of .500. He has walked three times in the opening two series of the season (Francoeur totaled 23 base-on-balls last season). He has smashed two home runs, and his overall approach appears better than ever.
On April 10, the Mets received some help they desperately will need in order to compete in 2010. Shortstop Jose Reyes returned to the lineup after thyroid issues delayed his season debut by about a week.
In his debut, Reyes went 1-for-4 at the plate, crushing a line drive back up the middle in the 9th inning for a single. He was shaky in the field, as one could expect after an 11-month hiatus from the game, however he did flash some leather in the 8th inning of the game against Washington, barehanding a hopper up the middle and tossing to first to get the out.
More help is on the way for the Mets.
Center fielder Carlos Beltran is recovering from late off-season surgery on his injured knee, and expects to return to the team by May. His bat and glove will be warmly welcomed to the lineup.
The return of the all-star outfielder will likely make the members of the current platoon expendable. Both Gary Matthews, Jr. and Angel Pagan have handled center field duties well so far, but once Beltran returns, only one will be needed, and presumably neither will accept a minor league assignment. It will be intriguing to watch how these circumstances unfold in the coming months.
The Mets' current first base situation is imperfect to say the least. After Daniel Murphy suffered a sprained MCL in the latter portion of Spring Training, the starting job was left to returning Met, Mike Jacobs.
Jacobs, along with aging Fernando Tatis, have combined for not much offense (the two combine for a .182 average so far in '10), and just as little defense. With slugger Ike Davis waiting in the wings, it will be interesting to see how patient the Mets will be with the situation.
The starting rotation for New York has been expectedly unstable thus far. Ace Johan Santana looks to restore his position as baseball's best after an injury-shortened 2009 season.
The rest of the staff has been consistently inconsistent.
John Maine started the second game of the season for the Mets, and did so terribly. In just five innings of work, Maine gave up four runs on eight hits, including two home runs, and walked one.
The following night, rookie Jon Niese, yet another Met returning from injury in '09, pitched well. He also got through six innings and allowed three runs on eight hits, while striking out three. Niese displayed his curveball, which remains his go-to pitch.
Mike Pelfrey took the mound the following night. He went six innings, allowing two runs on four hits, and a K:BB of 4:4. Nothing lights-out, but solid.
Then the unpredictable Oliver Perez took the mound.
For the first few innings Perez appeared locked in. But little by little, the wheels started coming loose, and after two 2-RBI hits by Willy Tavares, Perez was rattled. He finished with 101 pitches in just 5.2 innings. He allowed four runs on four hits but walked four. Perez struck out six in a losing effort.
The Mets' bullpen has shown thus far to be the team's strong point. Closer Fransisco Rodriguez (and his goggles that took 2009 off in favor of contact lenses) has saved both of his team's victories this season and has looked outstanding.
Fernando Nieve, who lost out on the final spot in the rotation to Niese, has surprised everyone and is now the Mets best relief asset. "Fred Snow" (English translation) has yet to allow a run this season in four relief innings, while surrendering only two hits. Look for him to jump in the rotation should any problems arise with one of the men that won a starting job over him.
20-year-old phenom Jenrry Mejia has looked sharp aside from his first few minutes in the big leagues. In that first appearance, the young Dominican allowed several liners, as his heaters sat right over the heart of the plate, waiting to be tattooed by Marlins hitters. However, Mejia dug himself out of the hole nicely, escaping that inning with only one run. He is yet to allow a hit since.
Keep in mind that Mejia is a starting pitcher by trade, and the Mets plan on him starting games for them in the future. Some worry that his relief duties of 2010 may stunt his growth as a starter. It is a very valid argument. This situation is shaping up to be eerily similar to that of Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain when he was first fist-pumping the Yankees to victory in the summer of 2007. Time will only tell how this situation will play out.
The Mets have improved greatly, and they couldn't afford not to after the disaster that was 2009. The offense is now a strength, and the bullpen so far appears solid.
But the Mets this season, will live and die by their rotation.
Are their current five enough to keep them afloat? Or will a move need to be made for a starter to keep the team in contention? Again, time will only tell.
