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New York Mets
Team Page | Roster | Spring Training Schedule |
Regular Season Schedule
On this page: Arrivals | Departures | Spring Cleaning | Team Breakdown | Prospects | Predictions
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Eight-time All-Star Mike Piazza enjoys the postseason spotlight. Andy Lyons/Allsport |
By John O'Connor, CNNSI.com
For New York Mets fans, the offseason was as much a roller coaster as the 2000 season. After losing to the Yankees in the Subway Series, the National League champs failed to make a big splash on the free-agent market.
The Mets dropped out of the Alex Rodriguez sweepstakes early, claiming his contract demands would make him unable to fit in with the rest of the team. Days later the Mets watched the Yankees scoop up Mike Mussina and then lost lefty Mike Hampton to Colorado via free agency. The Mets also pursued Pedro Astacio, David Wells, Johnny Damon, Manny Ramirez, Denny Neagle and Dustin Hermanson -- all to no avail.
"The sexy names are easy for people to get excited about," said general manager Steve Phillips. "But we're in a good position because we have the core of a World Series-caliber team coming back."
Phillips stabilized the rotation by re-signing Rick Reed and adding veterans Kevin Appier and Steve Trachsel. With lefties Al Leiter and Glendon Rusch returning, the Mets have a formidible staff once again.
| Top Guns |
|---|
| Mets 2000 team leaders |
| Avg. |
Mike Piazza |
.324 |
| HR |
Mike Piazza |
38 |
| RBIs |
Mike Piazza |
113 |
| SB |
D. Bell/L. Harris |
8 |
| Wins |
Al Leiter |
16 |
| ERA |
Mike Hampton |
3.14 |
| Ks |
Al Leiter |
200 |
| Saves |
Armando Benitez |
41 |
| |
| Go Figure |
|---|
118
Errors committed by the Mets last season, 50 more than in 1999. |
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| |
Offensively, the Mets are essentially the same team they were last season. The feature the best hitting catcher in baseball, Mike Piazza, and one of the best second basemen in Edgardo Alfonzo. But Todd Zeile and Robin Ventura are not getting any younger.
The outfield is unsettled except for Jay Payton in center. The Mets have the resources to upgrade if they decide Benny Agbayani and Timo Perez are not the answer.
The strength once again will be a bullpen led by volatile Armando Benitez, and if Benitez can keep his offseason legal problems from becoming a distraction, he will be among the top closers in the National League. Experience will keep the Mets in ballgames late; that experience comes in the form of 40-year old John Franco, Turk Wendell and non-roster invitee Mark Leiter.
Manager Bobby Valentine, under a new contract, still must work his magic to keep everyone happy. The crowded outfield could present a problem, but the team has depth in all areas and Valentine is a wizard at juggling playing time and keeping everyone sharp. Now if he and general manager Steve Phillips can get along and agree on some key mid-season acquisitions, this team can shine.
For more on the Mets, bookmark this page and check back Wednesday, March 21 for a Sports Illustrated Scouting Report.
| Arrivals |
|---|
| Pos. |
Player |
From |
Via |
| RHP |
Kevin Appier |
Athletics |
Free Agency |
| RHP |
Rick Croushore |
Red Sox |
Trade |
| 1B/OF |
Jim Leyritz |
Dodgers |
Free Agency |
| LHP |
Tom Martin |
Indians |
Trade |
| RHP |
Steve Ontiveros |
Red Sox |
Free Agency |
| OF |
Tsuyoshi Shinjo |
Japan |
Free Agency |
| RHP |
Steve Trachsel |
Blue Jays |
Free Agency |
| RHP |
Donne Wall |
Padres |
Trade |
| Departures |
|---|
| Pos. |
Player |
To |
Via |
| INF |
Kurt Abbott |
Braves |
Free Agency |
| SS |
Mike Bordick |
Orioles |
Free Agency |
| OF |
Derek Bell |
Pirates |
Free Agency |
| LHP |
Mike Hampton |
Rockies |
Free Agency |
| RHP |
Bobby J. Jones |
Padres |
Free Agency |
| RHP |
Pat Mahomes |
Rangers |
Free Agency |
| C |
Javier Ochoa |
Indians |
Trade |
| OF |
Bubba Trammell |
Padres |
Trade |
| Spring Cleaning |
|---|
| |
Robin Ventura |
Six-time Gold Glove winner Robin Ventura had a subpar season with the bat (.232 Avg.) and glove (17 errors). Shoulder surgery prior to the season contributed to his down year. A healthy Ventura will make a big difference in 2001.
The Mets have high hopes for Japanese outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo. Shinjo spent nine seasons with the Hanshin Tigers of the Central League and won seven Gold Glove awards. He had a .249 career average with 145 homers and 518 RBIs in 1,061 games.
Shortstop Rey Ordonez, who fractured his left forearm last May 29, took grounders and soft-toss batting practice at the Mets' spring training complex in January and is expected to be 100 percent by Opening Day.
A new regime: the Mets hired Charlie Hough to replace Dave Wallace as pitching coach and Dave Engle took over for Tom Robson as hitting coach.
|
| Team Breakdown |
|---|
| Projected Lineup |
Projected Rotation |
| RF |
Timo Perez |
LHP |
Al Leiter |
| 2B |
Edgardo Alfonzo |
RHP |
Kevin Appier |
| C |
Mike Piazza |
RHP |
Rick Reed |
| 3B |
Robin Ventura |
RHP |
Steve Trachsel |
| 1B |
Todd Zeile |
LHP |
Glendon Rusch |
| LF |
Benny Agbayani |
Bullpen |
| CF |
Jay Payton |
RHP |
Armando Benitez (closer) |
| SS |
Rey Ordonez |
LHP |
John Franco |
| Key Reserves |
LHP |
Dennis Cook |
| OF |
Darryl Hamilton |
RHP |
Turk Wendell |
| INF |
Lenny Harris |
RHP |
Rick White |
| INF |
Joe McEwing |
RHP |
Donne Wall |
| OF/1B |
Jim Leyritz |
LHP |
Bobby M. Jones |
| Prospects to Watch |
|---|
|
OF Alex Escobar -- Escobar, 22, bounced back from injuries after playing only three games in 1999. The jewel of the Mets' farm system, he has power, speed, hits for a high average and can play all three outfield positions. Escobar could make it to majors this year or be dealt for midseason help.
OF Timo Perez -- After a great postseason, Perez should open 2001 as at least the Mets' platoon right fielder. He has a strong, accurate arm and will be a spark at the toip of the lineup.
RHP Grant Roberts -- Armed with a mid-90's fastball, Roberts will be given every opportunity to win a spot in the rotation. The 23-year-old was rocked in his major league debut last season, but the future remains bright.
OF Brian Cole -- Cole, 22, stole 69 bases last season in the minors and could fin himself in the Mets' crowded outfield by season's end.
|
| Best-Case Scenario |
|---|
| Al Leiter handles the pressure of being the staff ace while Glendon Rusch emerges and the other starters rediscover their best stuff. Kevin Appier relives 1993 (18-8, 2.56 ERA), Steve Trachsel relives 1996 (13-9, 3.03 ERA), Rick Reed relives 1997 (13-9, 2.89).
The outfield of Jay Payton, Timo Perez and Benny Agbayani suprises all skeptics, and the trio of media darlings not only contribute, but grace the New York skyline in Milk ads.
|
| Worst-Case Scenario |
|---|
| The milk goes sour. Payton doesn't match his rookie success, Timo Perez fails and is dealt to the Orioles, and Agbayani puts on the pounds by eating too much poi.
The elder statesmen on the pitching staff show their age, and break down physically, forcing the team to rush Grant Roberts.
Bobby Valentine decides he was better off without a future in New York, and takes his Groucho glasses and goes home, leaving the team in the hands of Steve Phillips.
|
| Bottom Line |
|---|
The biggest offseason loss will prove to be pitching coach Dave Wallace, who held his starters psyches together with bailing wire and duct tape. The Mets may return to the postseason via the wild card -- based solely on the weak NL East -- but don't count on a return trip to the World Series.
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