It’s been a rough week to be a Mets fan. If you’ve been rooting for this team as long as I have, deflating injuries, disappointing performances, and demoralizing losses are not unfamiliar. It wasn’t long ago that we were riding high on the wave of a hot start. It may feel like the wheels are coming off, but here are 10 positive things you can hang your hat on. A few might even turn your frown upside down.
1- Noah Syndergaard is arbitration eligible for three more years after this one. Jacob deGrom has two arb years remaining.
2- Michael Conforto, Steven Matz, Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo all have not even started arbitration yet.
3- 2018 is the last year we pay deferred money to Carlos Beltran.
4- The Yankees owe Jacoby Ellsbury $68 million, assuming a buyout of his 2021 season.
5- The Yankees, Nationals and the rest of the NL East all missed out on Shohei Ohtani.
6- The Marlins won’t be good again for a long time and, at least for now, they’re stuck with that hideous technicolor glockenspiel in centerfield.
7- The Phillies are still paying $12 million in salaries to players no longer on the team.
8- The Braves are paying current Met Adrian Gonzalez and one-time Met Scott Kazmir a combined $34 million this season.
9- Thanks to their former disgraced GM’s meddling with international signings, the Braves had to forfeit 13 signings, and give up international bonus pool money and a third round draft pick in this June’s draft. They also have a stupid looking new mascot.
10- The Nationals reign of terror is almost over. Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy, Gio Gonzalez and Ryan Madson are all free agents after this season. With Anthony Rendon hitting his final and most expensive year of arbitration and huge balloon payments due to Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, keeping this team together won’t be an option. And don’t forget, they traded away their two best pitching prospects to get Adam Eaton.
You forgot that every year, the Mets contribute to the financial well being of Bobby Bonilla and his family.
Why are we still allowing Harvey and Reyes to be on the major league roster and the Braves are far ahead of us in young talent. Our bullpen is getting worked way to much – when you have to use Familia in an 11-0 blowout because one of the roster spots is taken up by a deadbeat, negative attitude, washed up talent like Harvey. Time to use the younger guys and dump the dead wood on the roster.
RE: The Bullpen
Familia needed the work — hadn’t piched in a week — and Sewald, Lugo & Gsellman were all unavailable.
What would you have done that Mickey didn’t?
I just discovered a hidden negative aspect of my personality. I enjoy the pain of items #4 #5 #8 #9 and especially #10!
Pete – that’s known as Schadenfreude.
I’m approaching 60 years of age and have been a Mets fan my entire life.
I no longer get thrills — and most certainly do not find reason to smile — reading about other teams’ (mostly financial) woes.
I’m not getting any younger and 1986 keeps getting further and further in the rearview mirror. The only thing that makes me smile when it comes to the Mets anymore is seeing wins on the field by the boys in Orange and Blue.
Period.
What would I have done if I was the manager? I’d have kept Harvey in so that he could further prove his worthlessness – we could have lost 20-0 and it’s still a loss.
Blevins and Familia are to valuable to waste …..
I became a Mets fan in 1967 – I have been through all the ups and downs (we even had worse owners over the years) over the last 51 years but this year is frustrating because we have the necessary talent to be a serious contender but we waste money (5M) on Harvey (a club house problem) and Reyes (who just can’t hit anymore). When the only one you have on the bench to PH with the game on the line is Reyes – you know you are in trouble..
The Mets had some good pinch hitters in the old days including Rusty Staub and Danny Heep.
Harvey has to go first. His attitude is not good. I’d rather have youngsters get experience rather than have a festering over the hill pitcher who already filed for divorce and will be gone in early October.
A light at the end of the tunnel Mike; Harvey is gone! Now let’s add Reyes and Gonzalez to the list!