The Death of the New York Mets

Charlie Klein

Imagine for a minute that Mr. Met is in the ER of a major New York City hospital, lying prostrate on a medical table while a team of frantic doctors attempt to revive him. They have tried injecting a shot of Oliver Perez, Jeff Francouer, all of which failed to wake the dying baseball man. Head surgeon Omar Minaya turns to one of his assistants and asks, "Nurse, Carlos Beltran?" She replies, "No sir, we have no idea when we are going to be getting any shipped." "Jose Reyes?" "Can't run through a ladder sir." "What about Carlos Delgado?" "Sorry sir, we've been out of that since May."

The New York Mets 2009 season is officially over. It's really been over since Carlos Beltran went onto the disabled list June 22, 2009. The Metropolitans have no hitting and no pitching, with Johan Santana, Franklin Rodriguez, and David Wright being the only exceptions. There really has not been a season like this in Mets history since the team came into existence in 1962. Name any player of any import for the Mets this season and that same player will have spent major time on the disabled list. The Amazin's have lost Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, J.J. Putz, Fernando Martinez, Gary Sheffield (who got injured last night), John Maine, and Oliver Perez. It's been so bad that I am surely missing a few names.

It is pure torture to watch a Mets game these days. As a Mets fan it has been like watching a car crash, the images are horrifying but I cannot look away. I will surely watch their game on Sunday Night Baseball versus the Braves, as well as all three of their games versus the Nationals next week. And I am sure that I will become even more disgusted by how the Mets have disentigrated in a way few thought imaginable. They have collapsed at the end of the past two seasons narrowly missing the playoffs and now they will at least spare us the trouble of watching the NL East standings this September.

I do not expect Omar Minaya & Co. to make any big trades at the deadline. That being said, there still remains much work to be done with the roster as it stands. The first thing that needs to happen in the offseason is Omar Minaya being shown the door. Sure, his trade for Johan Santana was a brilliant move, but such a trade is offset by the Oliver Perez contract, not signing Orlando Hudson, Derek Lowe, or the manner in which he handled the firing of Willie Randolph last season. The man is simply reputation over reality.

The Mets also need to find a new hitting coach that can remind David Wright that he has prior to the 2009 season hit around 30 homeruns in each season of his MLB career. The fact that he is not even trying to hit homeruns is a depressing prospect, considering the fact that he is the only threat in the lineup. The Metropolitans have to replace players like Fernando Tatis, Alex Cora, and Luis Castillo who do not do much of anything for the team. Castillo has had a decent year in comparison to his exploits from the 2008 campaign, but that is not saying much. If the Mets can add some defense, speed, and a dependable starting pitcher to their 2010 roster I fully expect them to win the NL East.

When your team is frequently on the Not So Top Ten Plays on Sportscenter, it really means it is not your year. The Mets have hit so few homeruns that even the apple out in centre field at Citi does not work.

"Well at least give me some Johan!" shouts Minaya. "Yes sir right away sir." The injection of Johan keeps Mr. Met alive but sends him into a coma, with doctors unsure of when he will come out of it. Rumours abound in the New York papers that he will be placed on the 60-day DL.