We caught up with Eric from Amazin’ Avenue to answer some questions for us about the 2008 New York Mets:
1. Given the offseason changes to your team, what have you been happy about so far in the season?
The most pleasant surprises to this point have been Carlos Delgado and Angel Pagan. Delgado had a terrible year in 2007, but he has looked really good at the plate through the first eleven games. If he can provide anything resembling league average offense for a first baseman the Mets will be in very good shape offensively. Angel Pagan has stepped in for the oft-injured Moises Alou and has been one of the Mets’ most consistent hitters so far.
2. What are some areas that concern you this early in the season?
Injuries have been a big problem, with numerous players missing time. Injuries test the depth of a ballclub, and the Mets have done okay in that regard. Pedro’s injury (more to come on that) and El Duque’s withering cortex have forced Mike Pelfrey to step into the fourth starter’s spot and everywhereman Nelson Figueroa to round out the rotation for the time being. Good teams have the depth to overcome short stretches of injury, but the great teams stay healthy in the first place.
3. What’s going on with Pedro and when do you expect to see him pitch again?
Pedro strained his left hamstring in his first start of the season and optimistic estimates have him returning mid-to-late May. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if his rehab took considerably longer than that.
4. You have two former Nationals on your roster this season. What are you initial impressions of Schneider and Church?
Mostly positive to this point. Ryan Church has swung the bat surprisingly well against lefties, something that was a concern heading into the season. His defense has been better than advertised; his range and throwing arm have looked really good early on. Brian Schneider has shown very good plate discipline so far, and his utter lack of power was expected given his recent history. Unlike Church, Schneider’s defense has been worse than advertised so far. Not terrible, but nothing to write home about, either.
5. Which of these Mets turned Nats were tough losses for your organization? Acta, Milledge, Flores, Lo Duca
The first three immensely; the last one not at all. I’m somewhere between ambivalent and mildly dissatisfied with the way Willie Randolph handles this team, but I still rue the day the Mets let Manny Acta walk away. If I were filling out a wish list of big league managers he would be at or near the top. The Lastings Milledge trade was a distasteful one because it happened for reasons that had little to do with baseball. Given their relative stages of development, I think the Mets might be better off in 2008 with Church than Milledge, but long-term I think it will be pretty disastrous. The Mets wound up with some interesting catchers in training camp this season, but leaving Jesus Flores unprotected two years ago was one of the low points of Omar Minaya’s tenure, considering some of the dreck he chose to keep on the 40-man roster instead.
I don’t miss Paul Lo Duca in the least. He had a nice season in 2006 and was mostly terrible in 2007. He doesn’t walk and hits for zero power, and his defense is well below average. Most of his value is derived from his batting average: if he can hit .300-ish he will be useful; if he hits .260-.270 he’s probably a waste of a roster spot.
6. What’s your initial impression of Santana? How do you think he will affect your season?
His most recent start against the Brewers was not great – he allowed three homeruns – but he also struck out more than a batter an inning. He’s 1-2 so far, but should be 2-1 after allowing just one run in a loss to the Braves. He has struck out 18 batters and walked just four in 20.2 innings, and he hasn’t even come to the park with his best stuff yet. He’s one of the best pitchers in the game, and if the Mets make the playoffs he will be a big reason why.
Click here to read our answers to Eric’s questions about the Nats.
Odalis Perez (0-2) and the Washington Nationals take on Mike Pelfrey (1-0) and the New York Mets tonight at 7pm.
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