The Future is NOW for the Mets

The Mets are finally giving some of their young guys a shot. Ruben Tejada and Fernando Martinez are in the big leagues and getting a shot to see if they have got what it takes. While it appears to be too little, too late, these two young players represent the future of the Mets. Not so much in that they will be the new generation of stars to lead them in the future, but more so, they represent the decisions that will need to be made this offseason.

Both Tejada and Maritinez play positions the Mets could use some help in. Mets fans are excited about finally getting aging Luis Castillo out the door and Tejada has been flashing some impressive glovework out there in his short time at 2nd base. And while Martinez may be most remembered by Mets fans for his outfield belly-flop last season, he is young and has a lot of potential.

Most importantly for each of these two players are the struggles of the players they will be replacing. Castillo and Jeff Francoeur haven't done much to keep there respective starting positions and their age and veteran status haven't done anything to help the Mets win. 10 games out of first and 1 game below .500 and the front office has finally decided to see if anyone else can contribute. Tejada and Martinez will each get the opportunity to be part of a turn-around, if you still believe that miracles can happen, but more importantly, they set the groundwork for the future of the team. The last 50 games of the season will function as a proving ground for the two young players and help management decide if they can be part of the solution in years to come.

Another opportunity comes in the form of showcasing the young talent. With the Mets basically in one form of a tailspin or another since the end of the 2006 season, all options must be considered.

The future is here for the NY Mets. We are just waiting to see if it is here to stay.

Greatest catch I've ever seen

This edges out Endy Chavez. They are calling it the "Spiderman" catch

8 players who made a difference in 2010 for the NY Mets

I'll split these into two groups, see if you can spot the trends:

1. Daniel Murphy (who?)
2. Jason Bay (I don't like where this is going)
3. John Maine (make it stop)
4. Oliver Perez (dear god...)

Welcome to 2010, folks. Let's take a look at the 2nd half of the list:

5. Angel Pagan
6. RA Dickey
7. Ike Davis
8. Jonathon Niese

As bad as 2010 has been, how unbearably dreadful would it be without
guys 5-8? (Shudders)

Angel Pagan has me realistically considering trading Carlos Beltran.
RA Dickey is the new Tim Wakefield. Ike Davis and Jon Niese have
struggled a bit recently but have over achieved for at least half the
year. Catching a break is something the Mets are not used to and in
2010 they essentially caught 4 breaks with these guys coming up big.

And, amazingly, the Mets are wallowing around .500 and in 4th place in
the division. Which brings us back to Group 1.

Now admittedly, apart from Jason Bay, not much was expected from this
group. But, there is a difference between "not much" and "absolute
zero". Daniel Murphy, John Maine and Oliver Perez have combined to
give the Mets less than nothing. Ollie even went out of his way to
hurt the Mets when NOT playing by refusing a minor league assignment
and eating up an active roster spot.

And Jason Bay... good lord. I keep rooting for the guy but only
because Gary, Keith and Ron keep telling me that statistically Jason
Bay can't continue to be this bad. Well fellas, looks like old Jay Bay
is dis-proving your theories, or at least trying to.

Despite all the unexpected success of group 2, the colossal failure of
group 1 appears to be canceling it out. If group 2 caught lightning in
a bottle, group 1 uncorked the bottle, spit into it, swirled it around
and poured it straight down the drain.