It is really easy to be discouraged by 2012. Like really easy. Like wanting to go to sleep until 2014 easy.
However, there are some reasons to be excited about 2012, and almost all of them revolve around the youth movement that will start to hit the team this year and through the 2014 season. This all starts with Spring Training this year.
Spring is usually a time when we are filled with hope and optimism, looking at key new additions to the ball club and trying to predict what will happen in the year to come. This season, there really are no key additions to get really excited about during Spring (the closest is our new closer situation, but that isn’t really exciting).
The excitement for Spring this year is centered around the youth of the Minor League system. Primarily:
– Matt Harvey
– Wilmer Flores
– Jesus Familia
– Many More
What we have this year is the unknown we like to have. What do we have in the minor league system? How high are their individual ceilings? Will they make a large enough impact in spring to see a 2012 call up? What will 2013 look like?
This Spring, in a positive view, is really the Spring of discovery for the Mets. The Mets have a farm system that is largely looked down upon, because it looks thin behind the 2012 ETA’ers, which may only include Matt Harvey. The Mets system, in recent history, has been pretty bland so now we have a Spring to look at the multitude of surprising players the Mets may have. It is not only a time to look at potential new pieces, but to look at potential new trading chips, that with a little maturing (2013, 2014) could bring some major pieces to Flushing.
In a nutshell, that is the first reason why I’m excited for 2012. I’m excited to see what players the Mets are ready to develop.
One statement I have always stood by is I rather lose with youth, than lose with veterans. I want to win, but if losing is inevitable, then lets do it with youth, and let’s start to mix in some prospects (when they are ready, no rush jobs this year, please).
Niewenhuis in left, Duda in right, and Torres in center, Davis at 1b, Tejada at ss, Wright at 3b, Bay left/right as either a backup player or a starter depending on if he hits or not, Hairston as a backup right handed hitting outfielder, and Thole as the main catcher but we need a decent right handed catcher too. Nikeas just does not fit that bill. From the roster we have far too many lefthand hitting batsmen. Turner needs to step up because Murphy also bats left handed. Satin is a righty and is also learning how to play the outfield. Havens is left handed and just does not fit in to the Mets lineup unless they move Murphy. It is either trade Havens or Trade Murphy but the need to stock their farm system with more right handed hitters. I know Lagares and Vaughn are righties but they are several years away from the big leagues. I like Murphy but I do not feel he will be able to man second base and not get injured. They should have kept Nick Evans who played a decent first base and could also man right field plus he is right handed. The entire outfield with the exception of Bay and Hairston is left handed. 1l2 of the infield bat lefts handed. What happens when the Mets face right handed pitching? I would strongly suggest the Mets sign Chris Young to a minor league contract because they will need starting pitching help. Young when healthy can pitch. Santana is a question mark as is Pelfrey. Niese, Gee and Dickey should help win some games although Gee will need to learn to utilize other pitches. Let Dickey help him with that one. The bullpen is not half bad so they might save a game or two this year. If all else falters bring Mejia and Harvey up from the minors.