New York Mets: Surprise performance in the making - MLB Feature
After a horrible 2011 season, the New York Mets look all set to make a thumping come back in 2012. Taking lessons from the past, new changes are coming forth; some crafty mathematical calculations seem underway with management looking more aggressive going
after the new players and exchanging others.
Shredding years of conservative financial spending by the club, almost 11 players are getting bonuses above the Major League Baseball recommendations now, a change in approach expected of bringing immediate dividends to the side.
Inclusion of players like right-handers Jeurys Familia, Jenrry Mejia and Michael Fulmer invoke the memories of mid-90s when the team had destructive power in the shape of Paul Wilson, Bill Pulsipher and Jason Isringhausen. Unfortunately the probability of
injuries marring the team’s progress is there as happened last time, when some of the most dependable players got injured at the crucial stage of the season.
Had it not been for the injuries, the club will have fared far better in 2011 as suggests an incredible contribution of some of the key players such as Jose Reyes, Daniel Murphy and David Wright. Among them Reyes becoming the only Mets’ player earning the
National League batting title in the team’s 50 seasons. Perhaps because of these players, club ended up achieving second highest on-base percentage and scores totaling five runs higher than the Divisional Champion Philadelphia Phillies.
Possible departure of Jose Reyes is going to be tough on the club as he held an amazing batting average .337/.384/.493 and 39 stolen bases last year. Ideally he should be leading the offensive attack for this season. Though the team has equally promising
players unfolding who can ensure the side a terrific season like Lucas Duda, Ruben Tejada and Josh Thole, losing Reyes will be a mammoth setback to the side’s preparations.
Spearheading the rookies in Major League with amazing OPS of .852, appearing 300 times on the plate, Lucas Duda and players like Ruben Tejada and Josh Thole who are coming off a splendid second half of sophomore seasons can become nightmares for their opponents.
A potential dilemma for the club seems to be their pitchers; some of them though talented can anytime be handicapped by the deficiencies Citi Field imposes. If the past record of the Mets on this park is anything to go by, one cannot expect the results any
more different than that has been the case last three years. The fact that the team managed an ERA of just 3.65 at home is much lower than 4.60 on the road speaks volumes of the inability of their pitchers to capitalise on the home conditions.
However, things are not entirely off-track as slight manipulation by the staff on the ground can help the Mets’ pitchers eliminate their weak points and build on their strengths. By making life easy for the pitchers, the club can bridge up the biggest loophole
it suffered previous seasons and who knows, with hitters putting up massive totals and pitchers tightening up the belts of opponents, the team can go on to experience big moments that the team is desperately missing over the last couple of seasons.
First year general manager Sandy Alderson is going out of his way to see the club on top this year. Trading Carlos Beltran for Wheeler, Francisco Rodriguez for Danny Ray Herrera and righty Adrian Rosario are some of the steps exhibiting the intent of team
management. Apparently the decision of divesting players like Beltran may seem a bit too over the top, beneath the action however lays a plan to re-build the side.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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