2007 New York Mets Predictions & Season Preview


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The Mets were the class of the National League with 97 victories last year, but Pedro Martinez’s shoulder and calf injuries and a decimated starting rotation contributed to their undoing in October. Even Endy Chavez’s miracle catch in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series couldn’t save them from a disappointing loss to the Cardinals. General Manager Omar Minaya talked trade with Oakland in November, but after considerable speculation, Dan Haren and Rick Harden were still with the A’s and outfielder Lastings Milledge and Aaron Heilman remained with the Mets. Still the organization momentum should continue this season. With a new ballpark, Citi Field, scheduled to open in 2009, ample resources from their regional sports network, SportsNet New York, and young mainstays in David Wright and Jose Reyes ready to lead the way for years to come, the Mets will be a factor for a while. They’ve eclipsed the Braves as the team to beat in the NL East.

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The Mets will have to make do without Martinez until July or even August as he rehabs from rotator-cuff surgery. Tom Glavine, adjusting on the fly at age 40, returns needing 10 victories to join buddy Greg Maddux in the 300 club. John Maine has only eight career wins, Oliver Perez was a Pirates reject, and Orlando Hernandez who is too old to be successful consistently in this league, will take over the rest of the rotation. Things are not looking good for the starting hurlers this season. Fortunately when they do have the lead late in ball games, Billy Wagner is back from his 40 Saves in 45 chances last season as the closer. The Mets’ bullpen ranked second in the majors behind Minnesota with a 3.25 ERA. Don’t look for the starters to go past 6 innings too often before handing the ball over this season.

Paul Lo Duca’s ability to focus served him well in 2006. With reports of gambling problems, marital issues and other off-field distractions, Lo Duca ranked sixth in the NL with a 3.18 average. Hitting in the No. 2 spot behind Reyes and in from of Carlos Beltran, Lo Duca sees plenty of fastballs and is adept to putting the ball in play. He struck out only once for every 14.5 at-bats. With 407 career home runs at age 34, Carlos Delgado is building a Hall of Fame case. Reyes is a formidable blend of power, speed and energy, and has one of the best infield throwing arms in the business. David Wright is so mature, people forget that he’s only 24 years old. Last year Wright his a wall and faded from MVP contention with only 6 homers after the All-Star break. Jose Valentin will get the nod at 2 nd base after the Mets re-signed him in the offseason.

Rather than make a huge investment in Alfonso Soriano, the Mets signed a one year deal and $8 million contract with Moises Alou. He had a .727 slugging percentage in September of last season so his famous bat speed is still there. In right field, Shawn Green has regressed defensively and has trouble driving the ball consistently. Carlos Beltran had a poor September and was a lot better on the road (3.17, 26 homers) than at Shea (.224, 15 homers), but still finished fourth in the MVP race. With Alou and Green a step slower this season, Beltran will be forced to do a lot of running around in centerfield. The Mets should end with the most wins again in the National League and overtake the Braves for a 2 nd straight season.

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