After a disgraceful 1994 season, the Mets ran a campaign about how things would be different in 1995. Then-Mets manager Dallas Green promised his team would play hard and do whatever it would take to win.
Green felt compelled to do that, attempting to sell fans on the idea of a changed culture within the team. The Mets embarrassed themselves with off-the-field incidents, while adding to the mess by losing almost every day.
This year's Mets decided to do the same thing. They talked about how they believe and how this year will be different.
It can't get any worse than last year, but it does not mean it's going to be better, either.
The Amazins won't have those catastrophic injuries from last year; it's hard to duplicate that type of stuff.
Of course, the Mets feature three guys that will start the season on the disabled list in Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, and David Murphy. Those three hitters should be back shortly.
Even with a healthy team, it's hard to think it's going to be any better.
The starters are the same as last year, and they don't have the relievers to set a bridge to Francisco Rodriguez.
The Mets failed to upgrade their rotation. They were not proactive in getting John Lackey, and after being fooled by Oliver Perez, they decided not to throw money to starters like Jason Marquis, Joel Piniero, Chien-Ming Wang and other available pitchers.
That was a mistake.
Anyone would be better than what John Maine, Mike Pelfrey, and Oliver Perez offered last year.
Maine did not pitch much last year, but even then, he is not inspiring. He is a mediocre starter, and may have already peaked 2006.
Pelfrey has quickly turned out to be a bust. The hitters love to face him, and he does not have the maturity to be a starter. If anything, he has turned out to be like Perez.
Speaking of Perez, this guy is simply terrible. He gives up gopher balls and walks hitters. His command is terrible, and he does not have what it takes to be a winner.
One wonders why the Mets gave this headcase a contract that he did not deserve. He was mediocre even before he was resigned last year. The Mets would have been better off signing Derek Lowe despite the cost.
Perez looks like he's done. It's hard for him to pitch in front of a unforgiving fanbase. Beleaguered Mets manager Jerry Manuel should be commended for putting Perez and Pelfrey on notice.
Jon Neise will be the third starter, while Pelfrey moves to the fourth spot, and Perez becomes the fifth man.
Perez will not pitch until several weeks later. That's a good thing.
Now, Manuel has to hope Neise blossoms into a solid second starter, but that might be too much to ask. He will be a decent starter, and likely nothing more
Who knows when Jenrry Mejia will be the starter? Manuel might use him as a setup guy to Rodriguez, but at some point, the kid may have to be a starter if Pelfrey or Perez flames out.
It would be wise if Mejia starts in the minors every fifth day. He needs to be familiar with the role.
The problem is that Omar Minaya and Manuel need to win now, or they could lose their respective jobs. They're going to do what's best for them in the short-run.
The Mets want this game to be over in the eighth inning, because Mejia and KRod have the stuff to put the game away from there.
The team does not have any other alternatives for the setup guy, just another of their many issues.
The relievers are bad outside of Rodriguez. What choice does the Mets manager have?
The Metropolitans should hit the ball well. That won't be an issue.
It's not just the personnel that will cost the team a division title. The division features three teams in the Phillies, Braves, and Marlins that are superior to the Mets.
The Phillies and the Braves have sterling rotations and a good lineup, complemented by solid bullpens as well.
The Marlins trot out five starters who can win on a given night, and their offense should be better than last year.
There are too many obstacles for this team.
Even if everything goes right, it will not work out, and Manuel and Minaya will likely lose their jobs as a result.
Talk about Manuel being a lousy manager, but he never had the pitchers to work with. Minaya fielded an awful team these last few years.
Consider this club as a 78-win team.
It may be better than last year, but that's not saying much.
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