New York Mets

Contemplate this hypothetical scenario from the perspective of a Major League Baseball franchise:

You have an athletic, switch-hitting shortstop with blazing speed and electric ability.

You have a franchise-type third baseman with Hollywood looks and a knack for wearing out left-handed pitching.

You have a proven, bona fide ace—and he's a lefty.

You have a switch-hitting, Gold Glove, center fielder with flair, grace, and a plus arm.

Sounds like a dream situation for a General Manager and staff, right?

Now, forget the "hypothetical" part...

The Colorado Rockies spent six weeks in Tucson stressing fundamentals. Through the first nine games of the season they look like they spent their time in Tucson at the golf course.

A win is a win.

The Mets' pitching rotation is their biggest key to their season.  Mike Pelfrey, Oliver Perez, and John Maine are all key players for the Mets this year.  If two of those three pitchers have solid years then that will deeply help the team. 

As of now, two of those guys performed while the other didn't.  Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez both had good first starts.  On the other hand, John Maine's first two starts have been a mess.

There has been a lot of talk in the streets, on talk radio, and on the interwebs today about John Maine and whether or not the Mets should keep him in the rotation.

If you read my article from earlier today, you know that I would like to see Maine get at least one more start, so I won’t get into that again.

What we should talk about is if Maine is removed from the rotation, who would take his place?

Seven games into the season is a mere second in terms of the marathon that is the baseball season. There are still a number of things that remain to be seen about the 2010 New York Mets.

That being said, I can't remember the last time I have seen a pitcher so broken in every aspect of the word. Especially after only two starts. 

Plenty of Mets haters and fans alike are quick to point out the fact that Maine's propensity to deal up gopher balls has no end in sight.

The Mets have played six games and have been far from inspiring. Home runs aside, the offense has lacked when it has mattered most, and that needs to change, desperately.

For the time being, the offensive struggles are taking a back seat (as they should) to the starting rotation and the instability of each pitcher, including Johan Santana.

Last weekend we heard that Beltran was not in pain but is not ready to run yet, with no timetable of the delay so when he will be ready is an unknown at this time.

Yesterday, once again Nationals outfielder Willie Harris made a bigger impact in Mets infamy in making a game-saving catch on Rod Barajas. With two outs in the ninth inning, Barajas was up at the plate with the bases loaded. The Mets catcher would eventually hit the ball into left field where Harris had just came in the inning before.

Typically, a new stadium attracts the unknown. People go there for the curiosity factor.

Many baseball teams opened up new stadiums since the earlier 90s. We have seen plenty of more in the last few years.

Last year, a couple of New York baseball teams opened up new playpens. On Monday, the Twins open up their brand new stadium. In a few years, the Marlins will play in their new stadium.

Mets fans are passionate, loyal, and at times pessimistic.  They also hold very high expectations.  One can understand the pessimism, as we have been witness to quite the roller coaster in the past few years. 

I consider myself one of the more optimistic fans of the Amazins'.  As evidence, I provide you with exhibit one (read Opening Day Optimism ).