If the Chicago Cubs can be widely accepted as the National League sister team of the Boston Red Sox, it is about time that we recognize the New York Mets as a first cousin. A mere three games out of a playoff berth a week ago, the Metropolitans have doubled their deficit and not only appear primed to end up on the outside looking in, but also have the inside track on last place in the NL East.
To what can we attribute the constant failure of the Mets (let's leave 1986 out of the discussion)? Since the team's 2000 Subway Series loss to the New York Yankees, the Mets have been relegated to also-ran status in the NL East, finishing last in the division in two of the last three years and making a strong run at that distinction again in 2005.
It certainly is not because the Mets are bargain hunters. With the third highest payroll in the league (over $104 million in 2005; behind only, you guessed it, the Yankees and Red Sox), the Shea-ites are supposedly set up to win each and every spring. But upon further examination of said payroll, one can gather some clues to the Mets' continued failure. Mike Pizza has not played more than 130 games since 2002, and his numbers this season - a .263 average with 15 home runs and 56 RBIs - certainly do not warrant his team-leading $16 million-and-change paycheck.
While off-season acquisition Pedro Martinez (remember him?) has largely panned out in 2005 (wait until 2008), the Mets' other big splash move - the signing of Carlos Beltran - has not had the desired impact, although nobody can rule out an Alex Rodriguez-esque Sophomore Breakout Year in 2006. Tom Glavine, number four on the Mets' ledger, has had two consecutive productive years with the Mets; but without any run support, he will likely finish with a sub-.500 record to accompany his sub-4.00 ERA two years running.
It is not just the big purchases that have hurt the Mets this year. Pitcher Steve Trachsel, earning almost $7 million, spent the first five months of the season on the disabled list. Shortstop Kaz Matsui has fallen into a serious sophomore slump, batting .251 in only 80 games and still earning over $7 million. Outfielder Mike Cameron takes in another $7 million-plus for a season cut in half by injury. Braden Looper, the team's "closer," sends Shea fans cowering in fear with a price tag of $5.3 million in 2005. The list goes on.
The Mets are not without hope, though, as young infielders David Wright and Jose Reyes are having breakout seasons at a low price and will likely remain in Mets uniforms for the foreseeable future. But for now, as many Red Sox fans know all too well, the Mets are plagued by the deadly combination of bad luck and even worse decision-making, leaving them uttering the age-old phrase, "Wait 'til next year..."
News and Notes: With the Mets safely tucked away until '06, the NL Wild Card race has four legitimate candidates remaining, with the Washington Nationals likely the next casualty. This is the week the Nats need to make some noise, with a series against - you guessed it - the Mets beginning tomorrow, followed by the NL West-leading San Diego Padres, who are making a drive to win their division with a sub-.500 record.
Today starts what could be the biggest series of the season, as the Florida Marlins and Houston Astros open up a four-game set at Minute Maid Park. Dontrelle Willis, who this week became the first Marlin to win 20 games, will face Brandon Backe in the opener. A sweep could give either team the fast track to the playoffs, but the third-place Philadelphia Phillies should be hoping for a split. The Phillies have plenty of work to do themselves while the Fish and 'Stros battle it out, as they will host the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves before going to Florida for a three-game set with the Marlins this weekend. The biggest question remaining for the Braves is whether or not rookie Jeff Francoeur (batting .332 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI as of Saturday) can win Rookie of the Year honors with under 250 at-bats on the season.
Barry Bonds is expected to be activated by the San Francisco Giants today to make his long-awaited (except not really) debut. With the Giants way behind the Padres in the division, Bonds' return, primarily as a pinch hitter in the beginning, will likely have no effect on the playoff races.
