Met's Search for Power...

The Mets need more power. I have been asking ever since Carlos Delgado left…Where is the beef? From 2005 thru 2009, The NYMets averaged 790 runs and 89.25 wins while finishing 6^th, 4^th, 5^th & 7^th in Home runs. Then from 2009 thru 2012 the Mets averaged 674 runs and 75 wins while finishing 16^th, 13^th, 13^th & 11^th in homeruns. You need about 90 Hr’s from your number 3, 4, and 5 hitters. Wright and Davis should get you 50-60. I think Kelly Shoppach offers power in a platoon role behind the plate. I think inexpensive power can be had with the likes of Jonny Gomes and Scott Hairston. For Center Field I like Chris Young from Oakland for the Mets. He is coming off a down year and has some pop. I don't know what he would cost them. What do you think? 
Here are the team hitting stats by position in the lineup.

Split	G	GS	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	ROE	BAbip	tOPS+	sOPS+
Batting 1st	196	18	748	678	94	175	34	2	9	47	14	9	59	144	.258	.323	.354	.677	240	10	6	4	0	1	10	.316	94	90
Batting 2nd	206	18	724	670	86	194	41	5	4	66	11	5	39	120	.290	.331	.384	.715	257	16	6	2	7	1	10	.344	104	101
Batting 3rd	172	18	710	626	87	179	39	3	20	86	14	9	76	122	.286	.363	.454	.817	284	20	3	0	5	14	5	.325	132	102
Batting 4th	215	18	693	614	92	162	41	0	38	109	8	3	69	155	.264	.338	.516	.854	317	15	3	0	7	3	4	.290	141	108
Batting 5th	207	18	681	616	74	152	29	4	15	79	7	2	59	141	.247	.316	.380	.696	234	11	4	0	2	4	4	.297	98	85
Batting 6th	235	18	660	588	67	127	26	2	22	79	9	5	62	153	.216	.294	.379	.674	223	9	5	1	4	3	10	.252	91	82
Batting 7th	220	18	639	572	56	141	32	3	17	70	7	4	53	130	.247	.315	.402	.717	230	6	5	6	2	1	3	.290	104	102
Batting 8th	232	18	629	563	47	127	23	2	6	51	3	0	53	120	.226	.299	.306	.605	172	19	7	4	2	13	5	.276	74	80
Batting 9th	702	18	607	523	47	100	21	0	8	38	6	1	33	165	.191	.243	.277	.520	145	12	3	47	1	3	6	.262	49	89

Power!

One day after Carlos Beltran's three home run barrage, The New York Mets flexed their collective biceps with a late game come from behind display of power. This has really been the biggest difference in the successful playoff caliber teams of 2006-2008, and the dismal impotent version of the past two years. For the first time in over a year, The Mets were able to overcome a four run deficit, when trailing after the 7th inning. The Mets suddenly have some middle of the order beef with a resurgent Carlos Beltran, David Wright, Ike Davis and if Jason Bay could ever break out, I say watch out NL East!.

Mets No One Trick Pony, Go On Binge To Devour Twinkies!

Johan Santana struggles? So what. The Mets are no longer a team with only one quality starting pitcher. With the maturation of Mike Pelfrey, and now Jonathon Niese, the Mets continue to win series after series and are sending notice to all the pundits that they are a team that will be in it for the long haul. Bring on the dog days of summer. With the Mets offense flexing some muscle, the Mets beat the Twinkies 6-0, behind the arm of Jonathon Niese. Jeff Francoeur, who's streakiness bedevils all batting coaches, got the Mets on the board in the 4th with a two run shot to left field. David Wright and Issac Davis hit back to back HR's in the fifth. Rod Barajas capped the scoring with an rbi single, the Mets fourth straight hit of the inning. The Mets who won series from both the Tigers and Twins on their 4 and 2 homestand improved to 28-12 at Citifield. Not to shabby. Think that doesn't get into a team's head? I beg to differ. Here is hoping they land Cliff Lee which would allow them to put Hisanori Takahashi into the bullpen where his versatility would be an asset.  With Carlos Beltran improving daily during his minor league rehabilitation, The Mets look to be in great shape to make a run this summer.

Mets continue road roll. Double Indians 8-4

The New York Mets continued their May/June tear, with the best record in baseball over the last 22 games going 17-5 since May 22. The offensive struggles on the road seem to be a distant nightmare, as they have scored 34 runs over their last 5 road games and scored at east 5 runs in an inning in their third straight game. Not coincidently, David Wright has 22 rbi in that span. Jonathan Niese improved to 4-2 pitching seven innings of three run ball. Angel Pagan was 3 for 5, with 3 rbi, Wright plated two, and Ike Davis, Jason Bay, and Jeff Francoeur each had 2 hits and an rbi each. The Mets will go for the sweep Thursday night with R.A Dickey facing Jake Westbrook.
Note-The Mets hit seven doubles in a game for the second time this season.

Mets Sweep Birds, Look to Scalp Indians

The New York Mets finally showed some offensive muscle on the road, smashing four homeruns, pounding 18 hits, and scoring eleven runs. Mike Pelfrey was the beneficiary of the onslaught, on a day when he didn't have his best command. Pelfrey improved to 9-1 on the year. David Wright hit two homeruns, and Chris Carter hit his second three run homerun of the weekend series. Jason Bay went 4 for 4 with a homerun and four runs scored. The Mets head to Cleveland for three games before facing the Yankees in Da Bronx.

Mets feast at home. Gorge Marlins 6 to 1.

The New York Mets continued to feast on their opponents at home, turning back the Marlins 6 to 1. Jonathan Niese, in his first start since coming off the DL, pitched a strong 7 innings, giving up only one run while striking out six batters. Ike Davis went 4 for 4 and David Wright drove in three runs, hitting his second homerun of the season at Citi Field and his tenth overall. Rookie Ruben Tejada drove in a run with a double and Jeff Francouer continued to contribute with his 30th run batted in.

Bay Explodes as Mets beat Yankees 6-4!

Jason Bay is on fuego! Smashing homes runs to both left and right center field, Bay is now earning his all star outfielder status. With his average up to .307, it couldn't have come at a better time. With David Wright still struggling with runners on base, The Mets need someone from the middle of the order to get hot. Jose Reyes also seems to be heating up with two hits in three of his last four games. Johan Santana continued his strong pitching by picking up his 4th win of the year. KRod struck out Alex Rodriguez with two runners on to end the game for The Mets. The Mets will play the rival Philadelphia Phillies in a three game set beginning Tuesday night.
Unsung hero of the game-Pedro Feliciano who entered in the 8th to strike out Robinson Cano with the bases juiced.

Mets Survive Maine's early exit, outlast the Washington Nationals 10-7.

Watch John Maine walk off the mound after only one batter. John Maine walked off the mound after only five pitches tonight. The Mets in a precautionary move, decided to pull Maine after noticing diminished velocity in the bullpen before the game. David Wright led the rejuvenated offense with a three run bases clearing double in the top of the first inning. He also added a sacrifice fly and didn't strike out for the first time since a  May 2nd game against the Phillies. Rod Barajas hit a two run home run, his team leading tenth of the year. Jeff Francoeur seems to be heating up, adding a two run single. Jason Bay and Ike Davis each had had three hits, scoring five times. The hero tonight out of the pen was journeyman Raul Valdes, who gave up one run in five innings before tiring and giving up two runs  in the 6th. The Mets are now 20-22, and face the Yankees and Phillies over the next six games. This could be a pivotal stretch of games for manager Jerry Manuel.

Let's not blame Jerry Manuel

As every baseball manager knows, getting fired is part of the territory. Jerry Manuel, who is on every talk radio, print media, and blog hot seat, deserves better. Ever since Endy Chavez made his spectacular catch in the sixth inning of game seven of the 2006 NLCS, the Mets have done nothing but disappoint their fan base. Age, Injuries, and inconsistent play from their young players, have all contributed. When the Mets blew a seven game lead with seventeen to play in 2007, we should have known better. Three fifths of their starting rotation was made up of a pair of 41 year olds (Glavine and El Duque) and a rookie (Mike Pelfrey). You just can't win without a legitimate, in his prime, ace. So Omar traded for one in Johan Santana. Genius! He also tried to upgrade the defense by acquiring good gloves in blossoming OF Ryan Church and Catcher Brian Schneider. We all know what happened. The Mets got off to a slow start, and Manager Willie Randolph was fired. Jerry Manuel took over after 69 games and actually had a 3-1/2 game lead with 17 left to play. This despite closer Billy Wagner blowing out his arm in August. Starting Pitcher John Maine was injured. And the other starters (with the exception of Johan and Pelfrey) couldn't get past the sixth inning. This put pressure on the Wagner less Mets. It was the bullpen collapse of 2008, so Omar Minaya thought he fixed that with a bold winter meeting trade, acquiring former all star closer J.J. Putz, and signing the all time single season record holder for saves, Frankie Rodriguez. Everyone applauded. 2009 would be different. Well, it only got worse! Injuries, injuries, injuries! The Mets just can't get it right the last three and a half years. But in this curious case that is the New York Mets, the blame can be put squarely on the shoulders of the players. Are we suppose to blame Jerry Manuel for David Wright's sudden penchant for swinging at every slider outside the strike zone? How about Jason Bay and his one home run? Jose Reyes, layoff not withstanding, hitting a robust .216? Or how about an Ollie Perez, who once was wildly inconsistent, but is now just plain consistently bad. I don't blame Jerry. On paper, even without Carlos Beltran, the Mets should have enough offense to win with the quality of the pitching they have been getting. Johan Santana could easily have a 6 and 2 record right now. What the Mets have been doing is finding a way to lose tight ballgames and more often than not a lack of offense has been the culprit. Here are some numbers to digest. The Mets have a combined 4 HR's and 33 RBI from the number three and four hitters. COMBINED! Their pinch hitters are hitting a collective .209. The team average with runners in scoring position is .237 and with two outs it drops to .227. The biggest indicator is the team's road average which sits at .217 with a pathetic .281 on base percentage and a disgusting .339 slugging percentage. I guess that explains the 5 and 13 won-loss record on the road. So much for blaming Citifield or the manager.

Mets stun Nationals with late rally.

After getting almost no production from their pinch hitters (4 for 34), The Mets had to make a move. Pinch hitting specialist and Long Island native Frank Catalanotto, was jettisoned after only 25 at bats. The search for instant offense late in a game arrived in the form of an "animal". Chris "the animal" Carter did in one plate appearance what Catalanotto and Gary Mathews Jr. haven't done all year. Pinch hitting in the 8th inning last night, he drove in the go ahead run with a sharp double  to right field, giving the Mets their first come from behind victory (trailing after seven innings) of the year. Down five runs early, these "new" Mets overcame a shaky outing by lefty Jonathan Niese. Jason Bay and David Wright each broke out of their slumps, going a combined 4 for 6 with 2 walks. However, with a chance to break the game open in his second at bat of the 8th inning, Wright did what he's been doing at an alarming rate. Striking out (on pace for 212). Other key contributors were Angel Pagan, Rod Barajas, and Ike Davis, who for the third time this year, made an acrobatic catch of a foul ball over the dugout rail.

Mets don't have the 'Wright' stuff to sweep Giants

With their brooms cocked and ready to finish off a sweep of The SF Giants, The Mets fell just short, losing 6-5 in disappointing fashion. Facing two-time reigning Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, the Mets crawled their way back from a 5-0 deficit, taking a 5-4 lead in the 7th inning, on a sac fly by David Wright. But after a lead off double in the 9th by Jason Bay,  Wright promptly was thrown out of the game by home plate umpire for arguing a called third strike, his 4th k of the game. Ike Davis and Jeff Francoeur also struck out, leaving Bay stranded, and some Met's fans disappointed. The Mets almost overcame another poor start by Oliver Perez, who walked seven batters in 3-1/3 innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned).

Mets show some nuts in big win over SF!

You want heroes tonight? We have them. Mike Pelfrey, who had to cancel his bullpen session before this start pitches into the 8th with a 4-3 lead. The Mets got defensive gems by Ike Davis and Luis Castillo, and a two HR game from both Davis and clutch backstop Rod Barajas, his third multi-HR game game of the year. Even Jason Bay got off the snide with a run scoring double in the 1st inning. Overall, although the team committed three errors, they made plays when they had to, and once again, showed some fight. Even more impressive for Barajas, who did it in front of his still seething, high priced counterpart, the SF backstop Bengie Molina. Frankie K, after blowing the save in the 9th, gets the win for The Metsies.