I need to see more of Angel Pagan and less of Gary Matthews. I appreciate the fact that Matthews is trying hard to prove himself, and I also realize he is a fair Major League baseball player (probably a nice 4th outfielder because he can play any OF position and switch hits) that has above average speed, but at this stage, Pagan is a bit better at everything. He has superior bat speed, runs very well, and has better range and a much better arm. Pagan can bat 1st or 2nd (and would be a better option there than Cora or Castillo) as well as anywhere in the bottom 3rd. More Pagan, less Matthews.
Mike Jacobs is a fascinating player in the sense that he is a traditional one-dimensional slugger. Every time the guy is up I feel like there is a decent chance that he is going to put one into the concession stands in the upper deck behind the Pepsi Porch. On the other hand, more often than not, the guy is going to whiff badly. It's feast or famine ... but I have to admit, there is more excitement when he is at the dish than there is when a guy like Fernando Tatis bats ... even though statistically, Tatis is the more productive hitter. Did you see that foul homerun Jacobs hit that cleared the entire Promenade? Sheesh ...
When Alex Cora and Luis Castillo are manning the middle infield, it feels like any ground ball not hit right at them is a base hit. I saw ground balls that stopped for refreshments on their way to the outfield make it by those guys this series. On the other hand, if they get to it they will certainly catch it. Their throws, pivots and cutoffs are pretty much spot on (which is what you would expect from veteran middle infielders). In conclusion, I think they look better than they actually are in terms of production, because they are smooth and fluid - but they are making a lot of make-able plays look like base hits as a result of their slower first step and lack of range.
The offense really misses Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran. I realize this is about as enlightening as saying the sky is blue ... but I am referring more to the holes in our current lineup than what they are bringing to the table. The Mets desperately need table setters, and desperately need a big left-handed stick in the middle of the order. Right-handed threats are well covered between David Wright and Jason Bay (and you have some decent right-handed slugging options in the lower third with guys like Rod Barajas and Jeff Francoeur).
What the Hell was Francoeur thinking on that fly ball down the right field line that he gave up on last night (the one that dropped in for a ground rule double)?
I like Rod Barajas more than I thought I would. I like how he has a simple approach at the plate, right along the lines of John Daly's "Grip It and Rip It" approach to golf. Barajas doesn't get cheated, and while that all or nothing mentality from a clean-up hitter isn't ideal, it works for a catcher that will usually bat 7th or 8th. He's been sound defensively as well.
Jon Niese is a breath of fresh air. Not so much in that he's a dominant pitcher, but he's young and has upside. You can root for his improvement, and his demeanour is so different than that of Pelfrey, Maine and Perez, all of which seem defensive, scared, and waiting for the other shoe to drop. Niese is nervous, of course, but you can tell he has confidence in his abilities and he just needs to learn how to pitch at this level. He knows it, we know it, and the opposition know it. Pelfrey, Maine and Perez all doubt their own abilities at this point. You can see it every time they pitch. They pitch afraid, they come unglued quickly, and they pitch like they feel any year can be their last. I know this feeling because I feel this way sometimes in my own career - that any day upper management is going to realize that I am overpaid, sporadically effective, and not as hungry as I was when I was younger.
Jason Bay is the goods. A true pro, a threat with the bat, better on the bases and in left field than I thought he was, and a guy I do not worry about getting hurt or having problems with the media. Well done Mets.
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