Letters to the NL East, Part 5/5
(To read past year’s letters, click here)
Letters to the NL East, Part 0 of 5. (part 0, part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4)
Dear New York Mets,
Welcome to the what I like to joke is the second half of the ’09-’10 season. But it’s time to put the past behind us and move on. Nothing that happened before today counts for anything, and it’s time to step it up and start taking control of your own destiny.
Last season was a disaster; Let’s not talk about it anymore. It’s now 2010 and even though we’ve got a couple of nagging injuries, there is hope. Reyes will be back shortly, Murphy by the end of the month, and hopefully Beltran not too much after that. The pitchers are healthy and while we’re missing Beltran for too much time, the rest of the offense is actually really capable. There’s a lot of pressure on the pitching staff right now, but from all accounts you’ve got a chip on your shoulder and are working hard to succeed. Relish the underdog role and punish the opponent.
Citi Field is amazing and all the changes look great. Now make the experience inside a memorable one and make me forget that there is a Big Apple Brews or Shake Shack anywhere. I’ll be there today early enough to get all that stuff out of the way before settling in to watch Santana pitch. It’s time to get some confidence and win some games. It’s time to talk about things like wins and losses, actual performance, and stat lines, without trying to predict and project what you guys are going to do. The division is ripe for the picking, and it’s time you stopped disappointing us and rise up and take it. Let’s rock Citi Field like it’s never rocked before.
The predictions for your team are meek, but don’t let that bother you. It’s time to surprise some people. By June I expect to hear a collective, begrudging “I think this division is the Mets after all” to be uttered by the supposed baseball experts. I expect you to make it so that most Philadelphia blogs will be talking about the Eagles by August. The Mets have never closed two consecutive decades without a World Series title, and I see no reason to start the trend now. In fact, they’ve never had a decade where they did not even go to the World Series, so let’s make that the starting point.
Your lifelong fan,
Optimistic Mets Fan
(I’ll be at the game today, but some that aren’t will be gathering in the Real Dirty Dugout irc chatroom of which you can find a link over on the right)
Tags: best stadium, championship, Citi Field, citi field rocks, division, letters to the nl east, Mets, New York Mets, NL East, World Series
Letters to the NL East, Part 0/5
(To read past year’s letters, click here)
Letters to the NL East, Part 0 of 5. (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4)
Dear New York Yankees, (Because while they are not part of the division, are still are rivals in a way)
Ugh. You purchased your 27th World Series last year. You made the team better by acquiring Javier Vasquez from the Braves, even if he’s struggled as a Yankee before. But this doesn’t exactly guarantee the same success in 2010.
Your team looked old and over the hill last April but was able to bounce back. Eventually the age on the team won’t be able to do that, although Jeter and Rivera will certainly be trying so they can get that extra bit out of you in contract negotiations.
However, just about everything went right for you last season, and it’s not likely to go that way again. Will guys like Nick Johnson and AJ Burnett stay healthy? Will Granderson hit lefties? How many games can Posada play behind the plate? As I write this, Nick Johnson and Posada have both already been scratched from spring games this week.
It’s fair to say that the Yankees don’t have a ton of holes, but you do have two talented teams in your division that can exploit even the smallest problem in your game. The success of last year does mask a lot of possible problems that could open up and devour the team though. The handling of the bullpen, Joba and Hughes. The range and age of your shortstop. A-Rod’s hip, which was supposedly going to need more surgery but somehow didn’t. Are the Feds coming for A-Rod and why is he dodging them? Will Yankee Stadium in 2010 become the setting of some sort of Bourne film with A-Rod dashing through the stands with Matt Damon chasing him? It’s probably a safe bet that they all the holes won’t all open at once, and that the Yankees could overcome some of them, but that’s why we play the games. When the dust clears you may find yourselves in third place and playing golf in October.
Your cross-town rival,
Optimistic Mets Fan
Tags: A-Rod, aj burnett, al east, Baseball, curtis granderson, derek jeter, good luck, injuries, jason bourne, javier vazquez, jorge posada, letters to the nl east, Mariano Rivera, matt damon, Mets, New York Yankees, nick johnson, Yankees, yankees suck
Letters to the NL East, Part 4/5
(To read past year’s letters, click here)
Letters to the NL East, Part 4 of 5. (part 1, part 2, part 3)
Dear Philadelphia Phillies,
You suck. That’s right, you heard me. You’re the “popular” pick to win the division, much like the Mets were predicted to win the World Series last year. You know what? It doesn’t matter. You get credit in analysts’ eyes for being there in the past, but that doesn’t actually get you any wins in 2010.
You already get one big black mark for letting Cliff Lee leave when you acquired Halladay. Now suddenly your rotational is only marginally better, at best. And you have at least as many question marks at the Mets. Sure, those questions have turned out to be exclamation points in the past, but this is a different year. Maybe Hamels was a one-hit wonder, and will continue to be merely pedestrian. Blanton has never been anything special, and Moyer had a hot spring, but is hardly a reliable product in the rotation. Happ is the one thing to hold on to, in that he had a really good year in his time up last year. There is no guarantee that that will continue, that he won’t get figured out by the league and fail to adjust, that he won’t suffer the sophomore curse.
Pedro Feliz was such a solid feature at third base that I just don’t buy that Polanco is anything more than a lateral move at best. Your bullpen is extremely suspect, and while you do have a potent offense, the Mets did match you in runs scored prior to the injury-plagued 2009. This offseason you lock up a couple of your players to long term contracts, and coupled with letting Lee go, it’s apparent you don’t have the money to fill any holes that arrive this season.
So, while you get many props for winning the division in previous years, the calendar has turned and that buys you nothing in 2010. You’re at the top of the hill but you’re teetering at the edge. All it would take is one misstep, or one good push, for you to go tumbling back to obscurity.
While I’ve enjoyed having a real rival that’s both geographical close and in the same league, I don’t know if you can keep it up for long enough for us to say that Mets-Phillies is better than Yankees-Red Sox and really mean it. The Mets have some minor injuries to start the season, so you should take advantage of it while you still can. If you can’t start getting ahead in the race, the Mets will steamroll right by you when they’re back to full strength.
It’s going to be a fun and combative year. Can you handle it?
Your bitter enemy,
Optimistic Mets Fan
Tags: 2010, best rivalry in sports, champions, cliff lee, Cole Hamels, east division, letters to the nl east, Mets, NL East, Philadelphia Phillies, rivalry, winning
Letters to the NL East, Part 3/5
(To read past year’s letters, click here)
Letters to the NL East, Part 3 of 5. (part 1, part 2)
Dear Atlanta Braves,
Oh how the mighty have fallen! I barely even have any ill will towards you anymore. It’s been five years since you won the division and it’s been a long five years. You don’t appear to have the tools to make it this year either, although the rotation does have some promising young arms in it. Had you not traded Vazquez, I’d almost be worried.
I don’t have a lot of faith in your bullpen holding up long term, as it feels like you downgraded there as well. Your offense has long been a weak point, and it probably still will be barring Heyward having a rookie season to rival Pujols and Reyes for the MVP and Larry Jones being healthy enough for the entire season.
You’re one of those middling teams that no one really wants to play because you’re not a push over, but you’re also not good enough for a rivalry either. Just boring. It’ll be interesting to see if you guys finish above .500 this year or not, and maybe you can help out the Mets a little by playing the Phillies hard.
One thing for sure, Bobby Cox is not getting another title before retiring this year. Maybe you should’ve beaten the Yankees another time in the 90s. Oh well.
Your former rival,
Optimistic Mets Fan
Feel free to head over to The Real Dirty Mets Blog for discussion. Once the season finally starts, I’ll be contributing (at least) a weekly Optimism Report over there.
Tags: 90s, Atlanta Braves, Baseball, bobby cox, chipper jones, heyward, larry jones, letters to the nl east, Mets, New York Mets, rivalry, rookie of the year
Letters to the NL East, Part 2/5
(To read past year’s letters, click here)
Letters to the NL East, Part 2 of 5. (part 1)
Dear Washington Nationals,
You’ve won the award for biggest roster turnover, and biggest hyped prospect, but this doesn’t mean that you’re going to be vastly improved. Kudos on working to make the future of baseball in Washington DC a little bit brighter.
With Steven Strasburg looming in the minors it sounds like there will be more to look forward to this season beyond Barack Obama throwing out the Presidential first pitch. This tradition was actually first started by Taft 100 years ago.
You’ve got some talented young pitchers on the team already, and a couple of guys that can actually swing the bat. However this isn’t enough to field a complete team, and though you’ll be improved, you’ll still likely be the caboose of the National League East and end your season along with everyone else on October 3rd.
Look on the plus side though, if Strasburg is talented enough to make the majors this year he’ll draw a lot of fans to come see him pitch!
Sincerely yours,
Optimistic Mets Fan
Join the discussion at The Real Dirty Mets Blog!
Tags: barack obama, caboose, letters to the nl east, Mets, New York Mets, NL East, obama first pitch, presidential first pitch, steven strasburg, Washington dc, Washington Nationals
Letters to the NL East Part 1/5
(To read past year’s letters, click here)
Letters to the NL East, Part 1 of 5.
Dear Florida Marlins,
Congratulations! You’ve been caught stealing from the league! No one was surprised after you were told by the league to stop pocketing the revenue sharing money that you handed your star pitcher a big check. Why look at free agents or try to actually improve the team in any way? That’d cost money! Maybe when you get that new stadium right?
This isn’t to say you don’t have any good players. The aforementioned Josh Johnson and the whiny guy at shortstop are stars. Some good prospects and young talent floating around down there, but who knows how reliable or talented they will end up being. Chances are you’ll be the team that’s semi-talented, capable of winning any ballgame but just not that often. Yes, you’ll probably beat the Washington Nationals, but that’s not exactly high praise.
You’ll be in to Citi Field to open the season this year, and I suspect that’s the closest you’ll be to the Mets in the standings all year. You’ll play the Mets a series in Puerto Rico this year as well, and despite having last licks, I suspect there will still be more people in the stands rooting for the Mets.
Your disgusted rival from up north,
Optimistic Mets Fan
Hop over to The Real Dirty Mets Blog for some lively discussion on the topic.
Tags: Baseball, Citi Field, florida marlins, Hanley Ramirez, Josh Johnson, letters to the nl east, Mets, New York Mets, opening day, puerto rico, revenue sharing
Letters to the NL East, Part 5/5
Letters to the NL East, Part 5 of 5 (part 0, part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4 )
Dear New York Mets,
New Stadium, Fresh look. Let’s forget these so-called collapses, and focus on 2009. Games from 2008 don’t count, and teams don’t get handicaps for being defending champs. This division is ripe for the picking.
Braves look stronger, Phillies look weaker, but you still look like the best team on paper. It’s time to make that stand up. The bullpen changes should be enough to give you enough confidence to finish off these teams, win these games, and have an excellent season. As usual, health plays an issue. You need to make sure guys like Delgado, Church, Castillo and Maine all stay healthy. One benefit this year is that you seem to have a ton of outfield depth in Sullivan, Reed, Kielty and Evans. More so if you do acquire Gary Sheffield today, although I think he’s a washed up cheater if anything.
We’re all excited for this season, and hopefully you’ll give us something more to enjoy than a new ballpark. We’re all curious how Citi Field will feel in those rowdy, anxious playoff moments. Lets get us there to find out. Many have reservations about the park and how it stands up to Shea Stadium, but this season has the potential to get to put Shea behind us. Give us a new crop of highlights in the new park, and we’ll all love it.
Your lifelong fan,
Optimistic Mets Fan
Tags: 2009, Baseball, Citi Field, letters to the nl east, New York Mets, preview, season
Letters to the NL East 4/5
Letters to the NL East, Part 4 of 5 (part 0, part 1, part 2, part 3, )
Dear Philadelphia Phillies,
Every dog has it’s day. You’ve gotten your ring for the century, and I suspect you’ll drift back into mediocrity pretty soon. When do the Eagles kick off again? Many of your players last year, particularly in that bullpen, over performed last season. This means that when they fall back to earth, even a little bit, you’re in for a rocky summer.
Will any of your fans show up at Citi Field this year, or will most of you stay away unless you have the upper hand in some way? You can count on a bunch of us coming down there as often as possible, turning your stadium into Citi Field south, as usual.
Maybe I’m wrong and you’ll compete again this year. The Mets are the better team on paper, but that hasn’t stopped them from giving it up two years in a row. Will you hold up your end of the rivalry and start developing this into something that could surpass Yankees/Red Sox? If the Yankees continue to falter that rivalry could take a step down in intensity behind the closer Mets/Phillies. On the other hand, Phillies fans have never shown up to Shea with the commitment of Red Sox fans at Yankee Stadium, and the Phillies aren’t even half the club the Red Sox are. You’ll probably finish third.
Your hated rival,
Optimistic Mets Fan
Letters to the NL East 3/5
Letters to the NL East, Part 3 of 5 (part 0, part 1, part 2)
Dear Atlanta Braves,
Could it be that you’re relevant again? Barring injuries, you just might have a shot at sticking around this year. Last year it seemed like you had some good stretches, but injuries got the better of your team. We’ll see how you stand this year. Acquiring Derek Lowe certainly helps the pitching rotation, and there are some young arms there that look pretty good too.
Somehow my hatred for you has ebbed, and you’ve risen to my 28th favorite baseball team. The challenge is on, can you get back down to 29th or 30th? Do you have the manpower in the lineup to compete for this division, or are you going to wallow away and fight with the Phillies for second place? Currently I expect you to beat them, and for at least that first night of baseball before the Mets have a chance to play, I’ll be rooting for you.
Your longtime enemy,
Optimistic Mets Fan
Letters to the NL East 2/5
Letters to the NL East, Part 2 of 5 (part 0, part 1)
Dear Washington Nationals,
Ooo, A shiny new ballpark! I challenged you to use the revenue from the new ballpark to make yourself relevant again. You haven’t done that yet, but you’ve started to show signs of it. Adam Dunn is one step, and the supposed contract offer to Teixeira is another. You appear to have shades of potential and talent on the team this year. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if you moved up one place and finish fourth ahead of the Marlins.
Still, it appears the biggest story concerning the Nationals is the prospect of drafting Steven Strasburg, who throws 102 consistently and also has a nasty curve. From what everyone says, this kid appears to be the real deal. Drafting him would be a no-brainer if it wasn’t for his agent. Scott Boras is set to test how serious you guys are, throwing out numbers like 50 million as a signing bonus. It looks like the biggest game you’ll play this season will be a numbers battle with Boras.
-Optimistic Mets Fan