Comments on: Harper: Mets have Age-Old Issues

By: buckybanjo

buckybanjo — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:10:30 +0000

Matt,

I disagree. While every team might have the attitude toward injuries you stated the Mets have a few unique factors:

1) They have several players who are key to their success that are older and/or injury prone (Alou, Pedro, Delgado, Castillo, Beltran, most of the bench)

2) They do not have depth in the minors to bring up a possible break out player to fill that gap. This has been the biggest achilles heal over the past few years that the fill-ins are mostly also rans or low ceiling prospects that didn’t pan out. Fernando Martinez is the only exception and I think he’s still too young to make an impact this year.

3) From a non-practical standpoint, they (and the fans) have their hopes pinned on a few big name players that, if they alone went down with an injury, would dampen everyone’s hopes. If any of Johan, Wright, or Reyes has a season ending injury or extended time on DL the perception of the fortunes of this team would change instantly. The Mets have not shown (because they haven’t really been w/o those players) how they can bounce back.

Thus, while there are other teams who might be in a similar position, I think this is more the exception then the rule amongst other teams.

By: Volume11

Volume11 — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:44:17 +0000

Exactly. And if you were to ask any manager of any MLB organization of which team had the most balance and most depth the Mets would be at the top of the list. I think we have a great balance of up and comers, young stars and veteran HOF’s who can still play. And our bench, consisting of Endy, Gotay, Anderson and Easley, is one of the best in the majors.

Every single team in the MLB has the same issues the Mets have, except most teams don’t have Pedro Martinez, Johan Santana, Carlos beltran, David Wright, Jose Reyes and a slew of other great players.

If having some bullpen issues and a few age issues at 2 or 3 spots is our biggest issue this year than paint me happy because we are ahead of the rest of the league.

By: agbayani

agbayani — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:25:55 +0000

Yes. And even with injuries, I’d rather have Pelfrey and Sosa as my 4 and 5 than the Phillies’ Moyer and Eaton. And talk about old, Moyer’s 45. If either of them gets injured their next option is our old friend Kris Benson.

By: The Milledge Idiot

The Milledge Idiot — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:21:31 +0000

I love the misconception in the media that the Mets are the only teams to have age and injuries on their roster. Each and every team has problems. You go out there, you minimize your risks by elminating any glaring weaknesses, you have a combo of youth and experience, you have several likely hall of famers in your lineup, you have almost and even split of Lefties and Righties in your lineup, rotation and bullpen.

But you know what? Someone always needs to complain. I’d love to see an analysis like this of teams who actually have glaring weaknesses.

This writer is a spoiled brat.

By: metties1

metties1 — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:47:13 +0000

Beltran, Chavez & Schneider aren’t much older than 30 if I recall, although most catchers age as quickly as dogs…

Whatever happened to the idea of the perfect blend of kids and veterans?? Isn’t that what everyone strives for??

By: sdanzig

sdanzig — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:37:00 +0000

If Alou goes down, we have Damion Easley/Marlon Anderson/Endy. If Delgado goes down, we have Marlon Anderson. If Castillo goes down, we have Gotay. If El Duque goes down, we have Pelfrey. If Martinez goes down too.. we have Sosa. And we have some scrubs past that who might step up between now and a Sosa injury. We have serious depth in the bullpen. I’m pretty confident in our depth. The main problem I see, if any, is who replaces Castro and Schneider if they both go down.

By: Roach2

Roach2 — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:26:55 +0000

Even though this piece gave me the shivers, i thought it was put together really well.

Speaking personally, it brings me down to earth a little bit on what the team is facing and might need to overcome. I’ve been so high since the Santana trade that i haven’t really taken an objectionable look at the team.

That being said, i think they’re still going to be tops.

By: stickguy

stickguy — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:06:16 +0000

i agree that the depth is a little low right now (but hey, we got Santana!)

however, while 1B and OF are certainly key spots, they are also fairly easy to get someone into as a S/T stop gap.

By: stickguy

stickguy — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:03:15 +0000

Only Alou and Duque are really old. Pedro and Delgado (at 36) aren’t young, but there are still pelnty of regulars doing fine at that age.

And Duque is your fifth starter, which for most teams is a revolving door wasteland.

I agree that they need a solid back up for Alou, since he is likely to miss time.

Delgado at this point is a worry (not if he will be on the filed, but how good will he be?)

But in the big scheme of things, the Mets are not an old team.

Say Duque goes down, and Pelf gets the spot. The rotation has a 29YO (28?), a 24 YO, 2-25/26 YO guys, and Pedro as the elder statesman at 35. Again, not old, and not injury prone.

And the mets are certainly not the only team that has guys that might get hurt.

Just play the seaon already.

By: rM teM

rM teM — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:57:22 +0000

Baseball should be enjoyed one game at a time. To look
for a world series win before the first pitch is going against
the pace of the game itself. We’re going to have a very
entertaining team to watch this season, I’m not going to
try to rush October and miss the daily pleasure that this
game gives. For pete’s sake, some poster’s are already
looking ahead to what free agents will be available next year!