Happy New Year!

Hopefully in 2011 the Mets will be interesting enough for me to say something about them.

Mike Pelfrey Will Be Back And Better Than Ever (Even Though He Never Left)

Mike Pelfrey has apparently spent his offseason keeping his son Chase off the furniture and out of the refrigerator.  But, while he isn't chasing Chase he is preparing to make 2011 the best season of his career.

Pelf definitely seems like he has more confidence than ever before.  He is going to need it.  As much as I love that Mike Pelfrey is going to be the number one starter for the Mets, I really wish this was happening for a better reason.  Nobody could have predicted Johan Santana having so many injuries.  However, I'd rather have Pelf put in this situation now than have it come after 2009 when everybody seemed to be injured and nobody had a good season.  

Last year's 15 win season gives him a reason to be confident.  This will not be an ideal situation for anybody but it also does not come at the absolute worst time for the Mets.  Maybe Pelf will step up and continue to improve.  The only way to find out is to try.  Mike Pelfrey as the Mets #1 pitcher will just be another test in the experiment that is the 2011 season.

Let's Go Mets!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID!

Today, both David Wright and David Cook turn 28 years old.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!

So, Two Years Ago . . .

At this time two years ago I was spamming the comments section of The 'Ropolitans.  Unfortunately those comments are no longer on the blog.

However, I still remember most of my thoughts.

• This is not happening.
• How can this be happening?
• Does Omar Minaya hate me?
• I mean, he has to hate me.  He keeps trading every player I like.
• I MISS HIM ALREADY
• Wait!  I have an idea!
• I'm moving to Cleveland.
• *cries*

Smitty has spent two seasons with the Indians and is signed for a third . . .

At least they want him.

These Are Not The Things I Like To Remember

In some not-really-Mets-related news, the Diamondbacks signed J.J. Putz to a two year deal.  As some of you may remember J.J. Putz spent the 2009 season with the Mets, even though most of the time he was on the disabled list it still counts as spending the season with the Mets.

When I saw the 2-year deal I thought of how the Mets only had him for one year but I didn't remember them only signing him for one year.  It only took a few seconds for me to realize the Mets didn't sign him as a free agent.

I will forever miss Joe Smith.

A Transition Year

This offseason is going to be a bit weird for the Mets.  Of course Sandy Alderson and the rest of the front office are looking for good players at the Winter Meetings and will continue to do the same throughout the offseason, however, the available money is limited and big names aren't going to be signed by the Mets.  Next season is going to be a transition year.  The new front office and coaching staff will be building a team for future success.

Before judging any moves made by the Mets this offseason it is important to remember just that, it is going to be a transition year for the Mets. When hearing names like Taylor Tankersley and Boof Bonser in Mets rumors it's easy to be disappointed.  The Mets may or may not sign Tankersley or Bonser specifically.  If they do sign one of them or other similar players it will not be to long term contracts.  They would be here for a year or two to fill a gap in the roster.

The Mets simply need more time for their minor leaguers to be ready.  The Mets should not be spending money on big free agents this offseason.  They should be looking for ways to give young players such as Ike Davis, Josh Thole and Jon Niese more MLB experience and waiting for Jenrry Mejia, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and others to be ready for the big leagues.

It's hard to watch an offseason unfold knowing your favorite team won't be a big player in it.  But it is simply where the Mets are right now.  As it happens it will not be fun to follow, but when Spring Training starts the same excitement will be there.

It is going to be a long, pretty boring offseason for the Mets and it is only just beginning.

Let's Go Mets!

He's Close To Home

"I'm happy," said Smith. "Guaranteed money is never a bad thing. Cleveland is a good spot. We have a good group of guys who take care of each other. And it's close to home."

Smith is from Cincinnati.

Joe Smith got his contract from the Indians.  Thank goodness.