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First Half Met Impressions

I'm enthused/chuffed.

5 votes

I'm satisfied/somewhat short of chuffed.

22 votes

I'm dismayed/not at all chuffed.

1 votes

G-Fafif Jul 11 2011 06:23 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 11 2011 06:37 AM

The Mets have just completed 56.17% of their schedule, also known as the first half. Taking into account record, standings, injuries, ownership, whatever you care to name, how did it go by your reckoning?

Ceetar Jul 11 2011 06:29 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

G-Fafif wrote: The Mets have just completed 56.17% of their schedule, also known as the first half. Taking into account record, standings, injuries, ownership, whatever you care to name, how did it go by your reckoning? Satisified. I'd hoped they'd be a wee bit better, and I hoped the Phillies and Braves would be a wee bit worse, but with all the injuries I'm satisified with where they are. Here's hoping good health, good luck, and a good second half.

metirish Jul 11 2011 06:31 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

Was hoping to see" I'm chuffed" because I am you know. I'll settle for enthused. Seriously though , if the Mets were ten under who'd be surprised?, one characteristic they seem to have is much overused cliche of never quitting and keep fighting , this Mets team has that, a fun bunch to root for.

G-Fafif Jul 11 2011 06:41 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

Choices revised to reflect respective states of chuffage.

themetfairy Jul 11 2011 07:12 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

I'm short of chuffed.

MFS62 Jul 11 2011 07:21 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

I'm chuffed anough to need talcum powder, but not enough for it to be painful. Later

Benjamin Grimm Jul 11 2011 07:27 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

I voted for the middle option. My overall interest isn't what it used to be*, otherwise I'd probably have voted for the first choice. *That's more of a reflection on me than on the Mets. The 2011 team is certainly an appealing one.

Lefty Specialist Jul 11 2011 07:29 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

I was chuffed, but rest and therapy helped. As Metirish said, no one would have been surprised if this team was 10 under given all the injuries they've had. Hell, no one would have been surprised it they were 20 under. That they're above .500 at the break is a minor miracle. Collins gets a big attaboy for that. Can't be enthused, though, because they're going nowhere. They'll play over their heads, but there's no chance of a postseason for this bunch. And you have to think that one of the reasons they've been able to stay where they are, Carlos Beltran, will be gone by the end of the month.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 11 2011 07:29 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

Considering they're doing it all with less talent than almost any opponent on any night, they aren;t half bad. On the other hand, they're half bad. This morning I realized what they have to do is trade Beltran to the Pirates and have us align with them spiritually. Go Bucs!

Edgy DC Jul 11 2011 07:38 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

I don't think they're going nowhere. Nor do I think there's no chance of a post-season. I think they'll likely hang on to Beltran until the last minute possible and decide then what their chances are. I think so should we. Losing Beltran and getting two draft picks certainly isn't the worst possible outcome. Meanwhile, the team has made a lot of strides forward in areas that they were largely disregarded in. It would be as good a year as we could have hoped for, where it not for a few key injuries.

G-Fafif Jul 11 2011 07:40 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Considering they're doing it all with less talent than almost any opponent on any night, they aren;t half bad. On the other hand, they're half bad. This morning I realized what they have to do is trade Beltran to the Pirates and have us align with them spiritually. Go Bucs! Our demi-miracle comeback over the Bucs in early June is the difference between the would-be first-place Pirates standing out as the story of the first half and them being just another Wild Card contender at the moment. Or any one Buc loss, I suppose, but losing 9-8 after leading 7-0 tends to stand out. (Of course that win is the difference in our being an over-.500 club at the moment, so I'm not endorsing giving it back.) I do hope they overtake St. Louis and Milwaukee so I can root for them with non-Met implications.

TransMonk Jul 11 2011 07:48 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

They've been fun and satisfying. Their record is better than I had expected, but their level of play is about where I thought it would be. I like that they are fighting as a team and are playing well through key injuries this season.

G-Fafif Jul 11 2011 07:49 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

My overall impression of this club is it's a shame they're not better, because then they'd be really good. It's a depleted team that has given its all and wins half the time as a result. Engaging to watch when they're competing, deadly at other times though only through the fault of their lack of active talent, not for lack of effort. They almost never give the impression they're dead in a given game. Even in the 6-0 loss to Kershaw I kept expecting them to come back, something I wouldn't have much expected a year ago even when they were going well. It's impossible to say if the same dynamic that has made them embraceable would have happened with David and Ike healthy these last two months -- I sense there was almost an adrenaline rush at play from being so up against it injurywise -- but their potential imminent returns (and Jose's) would be a fantastic shot in the arm in the coming weeks. I don't expect a huge surge past Atlanta, but I can see them hanging in there, and that would my maintain my moderate chuffage a while longer.

Ceetar Jul 11 2011 07:55 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

G-Fafif wrote: They almost never give the impression they're dead in a given game. Even in the 6-0 loss to Kershaw I kept expecting them to come back, something I wouldn't have much expected a year ago even when they were going well. Get away day yesterday for a four-day break for most, and yet they're still fighting and battling top-9. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens in the second half. They're getting the big bats back, but are they losing some to trades? The real 'test' in terms of playoff races doesn't really happen until August, lots of home games, 6 against the Braves and another 3 against the Phillies. I could see them, with Wright and Ike and Reyes in the lineup, wearing out a lot of pitchers and bashing a lot of other guys around.

bmfc1 Jul 11 2011 08:01 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

I predicted 82-80 so 1 over at the break is on schedule. But I wouldn't have made that prediction if I knew that Ike would miss most of the year, David would miss most of the year, Jose would miss several weeks, and Angel would miss a month. I'm pleased that we have a manager that we have confidence in and that we may have stumbled upon a 2B of the future in Justin Turner. What makes me less than "over the moon" is the fact that the Mets are in the wrong division--move them to either Central or West and we'd be saying "stock up on a run at first place!" They won't make the playoffs so there's no "climax" to this season. Still, it's been fun and should stay as fun to keep our interest but we won't be celebrating the Class of '11 in the future.

metirish Jul 11 2011 08:18 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

I agree with what's being said , nice team but not making the playoffs....still, what does a GM do here, I think most Mets fan at the least find that this is a team worth going to see, Alderson trades away the guts of it and the new look team loses ten in a row or ten of twelve the place will be very dead. Are those things factors for him or not?

Edgy DC Jul 11 2011 08:26 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

They are until the price is right.

Willets Point Jul 11 2011 08:30 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

I voted the middle one although I've been the suckiest of sucks this season and hardly watched the team at all (life gets in the way you know). I vow to pay better attention during the second half.

Ceetar Jul 11 2011 08:32 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

metirish wrote: I agree with what's being said , nice team but not making the playoffs....still, what does a GM do here, I think most Mets fan at the least find that this is a team worth going to see, Alderson trades away the guts of it and the new look team loses ten in a row or ten of twelve the place will be very dead. Are those things factors for him or not? My interpretation of Alderson is that he's going to go for a fire sale. He's spoken about attendence before too, and it being important. (well, obviously) They've got a big long roadtrip still in July, with the real 'make or break' month being August. But there is waivers too..and Beltran probably makes it through. I also think the Mets can probably survive/win/be exciting without Beltran and K-Rod (two of the most likely to get traded?) even though my selfish Mets fan sides wants Beltran to be here forever. I'm real curious to see what he's going to do. He's been on record saying he does like to make trades, but regardless of our belief in the playoffs or not, I don't think a "big buy" is in the cards/plans this year, and I'm not sure what little pieces are worth picking up. Maybe a better backup SS/util type guy? A reliever is an easy one,but then they're talking about trading 1-3. Seems pointless to both trade and trade for a reliever. might as well just keep some of them. Always could use more starting pitching, but this probably isn't the time with 5 guys going well, Santana possibly coming back, and the idea that maybe you want to get a big league look at guys like Schwinden or Cohoon out of the minors.

G-Fafif Jul 11 2011 08:34 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

metirish wrote: I agree with what's being said , nice team but not making the playoffs....still, what does a GM do here, I think most Mets fan at the least find that this is a team worth going to see, Alderson trades away the guts of it and the new look team loses ten in a row or ten of twelve the place will be very dead. Are those things factors for him or not? There's a damned-if-you-do/don't quality to whatever Alderson does by July 31, assuming moving Reyes is a don't. If he can legitimately sell a trade of Beltran or Rodriguez as forward-looking, and the Mets are not exactly breathing down the Braves' necks by then, it will be tough to argue with -- though it will probably be framed as "there go the Mets screwing their fans again" for a couple of days. Short of an enormous move in the standings, as in "how could you trade Beltran when we're only three out?" a la the White Sox' surrender of 1997 when they were still contending, I don't sense attendance the final two months will hinge on what Sandy does (a trade of Jose excepted, and that seems less and less likely). OTOH, if they announce "Carlos and Frankie are too important to this clubhouse and we owe the fans a full season's effort," et al, and the Mets don't get/stay hot, they'll be assailed for not looking at the long term. So he's gotta do what he's gotta do. If anyone can sell it, the Sandy man can. And if anyone can sell it internally, the Terry man can.

metirish Jul 11 2011 08:39 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

Izzy asked Alderson not to trade him......good luck with that.

Ceetar Jul 11 2011 08:40 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

metirish wrote: Izzy asked Alderson not to trade him......good luck with that. This isn't the first time Izzy's suggested a "I want to be a Met..or retired" attitude. what type of value can he really have?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 11 2011 08:44 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

Ceetar wrote: metirish wrote: Izzy asked Alderson not to trade him......good luck with that. This isn't the first time Izzy's suggested a "I want to be a Met..or retired" attitude. what type of value can he really have? I accidentally bought a copy of the Post this morning and it noted that Izzy strongly denied ever "pleading" with Alderson for any result. Not that such a plead in the first place would mean much of anything. He's Cheap Veteran Experienced Relief Help making peanuts. If he's not traded I'll be shocked.

bmfc1 Jul 11 2011 08:48 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

Izzy's a goner. The guys they got for nothing will go--anything they get in return for the future is a bonus. Izzy, Scott Hairston, Capuano, time to start packing.

batmagadanleadoff Jul 11 2011 09:02 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

If it's good to be chuffed, then chuffed is what I was about this thoroughly compelling season. Right up until the moment when the Wilpons successfully maneuvered their Madoff lawsuit out of Bankruptcy Court and into the US District Court. I'm thinking long term here.

Ceetar Jul 11 2011 09:03 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

bmfc1 wrote: Izzy's a goner. The guys they got for nothing will go--anything they get in return for the future is a bonus. Izzy, Scott Hairston, Capuano, time to start packing. This is what I doubt. there isn't going to be a fire sale so Alderson can pick up a couple of additional type C prospect that has a 1% chance of being a backup MI in 2014. Most of those guys aren't worth any more than that. Cap may have value, but most of the other guys wouldn't fetch anything.

TransMonk Jul 11 2011 09:08 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

If we're putting starters up on the block, I'd rather keep Cappy and trade Pelfrey.

bmfc1 Jul 11 2011 09:12 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

TransMonk wrote: If we're putting starters up on the block, I'd rather keep Cappy and trade Pelfrey. Oh yeah.

seawolf17 Jul 11 2011 09:18 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

bmfc1 wrote: TransMonk wrote: If we're putting starters up on the block, I'd rather keep Cappy and trade Pelfrey. Oh yeah. Absolutely. There are plenty of guys who could bring real value. I'd deal Pagan and Dickey too.

Ceetar Jul 11 2011 09:27 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

seawolf17 wrote: bmfc1 wrote: TransMonk wrote: If we're putting starters up on the block, I'd rather keep Cappy and trade Pelfrey. Oh yeah. Absolutely. There are plenty of guys who could bring real value. I'd deal Pagan and Dickey too. Yes, because watching Jason Pridie play CF all next year, that'll be fun. I'm not sure there's any real net value in trading away parts we need, particularly reasonably affordable ones, for prospects.

HahnSolo Jul 11 2011 09:28 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

I'm much more enthused about this team than I ever imagined I would be, especially considering the injuries. I've really been looking forward to tuning in each night. Now, a lot of that had to do with Jose's torrid pace, but I'm happy. Yeah, things could always be better, and we'd be in a lot better shape if we were in, oh, the NL Central, but they've given me a lot more positive than negative.

metirish Jul 11 2011 09:33 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

Ceetar wrote: seawolf17 wrote: bmfc1 wrote: TransMonk wrote: If we're putting starters up on the block, I'd rather keep Cappy and trade Pelfrey. Oh yeah. Absolutely. There are plenty of guys who could bring real value. I'd deal Pagan and Dickey too. Yes, because watching Jason Pridie play CF all next year, that'll be fun. I'm not sure there's any real net value in trading away parts we need, particularly reasonably affordable ones, for prospects. like a right fielder, I'd just as soon sign Beltran at an affordable rate for a few more seasons.

metirish Jul 11 2011 09:36 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

Looking at Belran's contract I see this club agreed to not offer arbitration after 2011 season that has an impact in the thought process I would think? http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2004/1 ... -mets.html

Ceetar Jul 11 2011 09:41 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

metirish wrote: Looking at Belran's contract I see this club agreed to not offer arbitration after 2011 season that has an impact in the thought process I would think? http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2004/1 ... -mets.html yeah, thoughts are that it makes it more likely they'll trade him. I'd love it if they could sign Beltran at an affordable rate. doubt it'd happen. Or that you can trust in a player of his age. And a Boras client. Then again, there are a couple of outfield prospects floating around the Mets system, that oculd probably step in and replace Beltran if he did wear down next year. Added snag of the renegotated CBA altering free agent compensation.

TheOldMole Jul 11 2011 10:12 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

I'm chuffed, because it's the Mets!!!

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 11 2011 10:51 AM Re: First Half Met Impressions

Maybe it's the residual effects of last week's fever, but I'm still semi-chuffed. How long has it been since you, apostrophic Met fan, realistically expected a tough at-bat-- much less a cause-advancing hit-- from the 8-hole with two outs? Felt good about the future prospects of multiple Met pitchers under the age of 25-26... and then watched those prospects bear out before your eyes, against live competition? Ached at a loss to the overinflated fuckers across town, NOT because they're just the overinflated fuckers from across town, but because we had a realistic shot of sweeping the damn in-season series... without the four best players on the team? We're getting no draft picks from Beltran, and neither is anybody else (dropping his trade value considerably even IF you eat salary). So trade Frankie-- for peanuts or, if you'd prefer, a more upscale, macadamia-ish nut-- and let it f*cking ride.

metirish Jul 12 2011 01:38 PM Re: First Half Met Impressions

From David Lennon Mets midseason report card 1B/3B DANIEL MURPHY Injuries have forced Murphy to alternate between the corner infield spots, which he's handled adequately. Where Murphy feels comfortable is at the plate. He's miscast in the cleanup spot, but Murphy is hitting .345 with RISP and his .305 BA is second only to Jose Reyes. GRADE: B+ 2B/3B JUSTIN TURNER Probably the only Met who wasn't looking forward to the All-Star break after his four-hit performance on the final day. An unlikely RBI machine after his callup, Turner was the first Met to ever win Rookie of the Month honors. A bruised thumb cooled him off a little. GRADE: B+ SS/2B RUBEN TEJADA An excellent glove, Tejada has made strides offensively, showing better patience and an ability to extend at-bats. At .261, he's a decent No. 8 hitter. GRADE: B- SS JOSE REYES Not much else to say here. Reyes was an MVP candidate before suffering the Grade 1 hamstring strain on July 2 and is one of the most dangerous players in the game. Also looked better defensively, showing more of a skill to make the spectacular play at short. GRADE: A+ LF JASON BAY His season has defied explanation. Bay went a career-high 104 at-bats without a home run, a stretch that lasted 29 games, then hit four in two weeks, including two on July 5 against the Dodgers. Since then, he's in a 1-for-19 skid that dropped him to .237. GRADE: C- CF ANGEL PAGAN Missed nearly five weeks (rib) and struggled as he was moved around the lineup early on. But in Reyes' absence, Pagan has forced himself to be more disciplined in the leadoff spot, and is trying to be just as much of a pest on the basepaths (18 SB). GRADE: B- RF CARLOS BELTRAN His resurgence, made possible by two healthy knees, has been the Mets' biggest surprise. Beltran earned his sixth All-Star appearance by hitting .285 with 13 HRs and 58 RBIs. But playing in 89 of the first 91 games is the most remarkable statistic. Grade: A+ C JOSH THOLE After a poor start, Thole finished the first half hitting .333 (26-for-78) with 10 RBIs in the last 26 games. His defense continues to be an issue, and he's steadily losing playing time to the more experienced Ronny Paulino. GRADE: C C RONNY PAULINO Seemed like a regrettable signing early on after he showed up late to spring training and then missed the first month because of anemia. But Paulino, who is batting .320 in 41 games, has seen spot duty as the cleanup hitter and is the personal catcher for Mike Pelfrey. GRADE: B ROTATION MIKE PELFREY Terry Collins said he did Pelfrey an "injustice" by naming him as the Mets' No. 1 starter, and that's a nice way of saying he's not living up to expectations. Remains inconsistent, and 5-8 with a 4.55 ERA is not exactly "ace" material. GRADE: C JONATHON NIESE When he's on, Niese can be almost unhittable with his looping curveball. At 24, in his second full season, Niese still is learning to pitch, and should be a reliable member of the rotation for years to come. GRADE: B+ R.A. DICKEY The Mets put so much faith in Dickey they gave him his first guaranteed contract (2 years, $7.8 million) at age 36. But knuckleballers can be as erratic as the pitch itself, and Dickey also has been bothered by foot an hip injuries. Still, a 3.61 ERA deserves better than a 4-7 record. GRADE: B CHRIS CAPUANO Unlike Chris Young, the winter's other reclamation project, Capuano has stayed healthy to become the most known quantity in the rotation. Rarely dominant, Capuano's forte is a decent six innings almost every time out. GRADE: B+ DILLON GEE Nudged himself into the All-Star conversation after surging to 7-0 with a 2.86 ERA in his first 13 starts. Since then, Gee has slipped to 1-3 with a 6.35 ERA in his last four outings. Grade: A- RELIEVERS FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ Had a lot to overcome after a tumultuous offseason, but Rodriguez has looked like an elite closer again. With 23 saves, and 34 games finished, K-Rod will remain an intriguing figure after the break. GRADE: A- JASON ISRINGHAUSEN His grip on the set-up job is being challenged by Bobby Parnell, but Isringhausen has proved to be one of Sandy Alderson's biggest offseason bargains. With a 3.14 ERA, and 21 strikeouts in 28.2 innings, Izzy brings more to the bullpen than veteran leadership. GRADE: B+ BENCH SCOTT HAIRSTON He provided one of the first half's best highlights with his tie-breaking homer off the Giants' Brian Wilson. But he's still only 4-for-27 as a pinch hitter and batting .245 with zero HRs against lefthanders. LUCAS DUDA He has cracked the lineup at first base and is batting .296 (16-for-54) with eight RBIs in the last 15 games. WILLIE HARRIS His playing time has nearly dried up completely. GRADE: C THE MISSING IKE DAVIS He was the Mets' most dangerous hitter through 36 games, batting .302 (39-for-129) with seven HRs and 25 RBIs, but he's been on the DL since May 11 with an ankle bone bruise. DAVID WRIGHT His slow start (.226) was explained by a stress fracture of his lower back, and he should get a chance at redemption shortly after the break. Grade: Incomplete MANAGER TERRY COLLINS In his first season, Collins deserves credit for pulling this team out of its 5-13 start -- no easy task with the negativity already building around the Mets because of a recent history of failure and ownership's financial issues. With the losses of Davis and Wright, Collins also has done a great job grooming their young replacements. Collins says he's not thrilled by a 46-45 record at the break. But in the tough NL East, he's kept a beat-up roster on the edge of the wild-card race by fostering a team concept and cutting off potential distractions. Grade: A

TransMonk Jul 12 2011 01:51 PM Re: First Half Met Impressions

He's a little high on Pelfrey, Bay and Frankie. Where are the rest of the relievers? It's a hell of a curve when the lowest grade is a C-.

metirish Jul 12 2011 01:55 PM Re: First Half Met Impressions

TransMonk wrote: He's a little high on Pelfrey, Bay and Frankie. Where are the rest of the relievers? It's a hell of a curve when the lowest grade is a C-. several players missing...too high on Dickey and Pagan to add to your list.

Fman99 Jul 12 2011 03:13 PM Re: First Half Met Impressions

I'm moderately chuff. Or some nutty Irish thing. I don't know. Let's go Mets!

Edgy DC Jul 12 2011 05:35 PM Re: First Half Met Impressions

I don't want Dickey or Pagan traded, but I don't expect they'd go without an accessible plan to replace them in place. OE: But seriously, lads: Root for wins, not trades.

Ashie62 Jul 12 2011 05:52 PM Re: First Half Met Impressions

I'm more like chafed. I just want Wright, Davis, Reyes and Santana back in one piece..Thats it..

Ceetar Jul 12 2011 06:05 PM Re: First Half Met Impressions

Ashie62 wrote: I'm more like chafed. I just want Wright, Davis, Reyes and Santana back in one piece..Thats it.. and everyone to stay in one piece.

Rockin' Doc Jul 12 2011 09:01 PM Re: First Half Met Impressions

The team has been better than I anticipated particularly in view of the injuries (Wright, Davis, and Santana) they have had to overcome. As i whole, i like this team more than recent additions, because they seem to have more heart. This team just never seems to give up. As Art Howe would say, "this team battles."