With the ceremonial halfway mark of the season tonight (did you know that this is the last year of Yankee Stadium? They really should publicize that), I figured I should hand out my 1st half grades for the team, starting with the pitchers. For the record, the boycott ended last Wednesday and thank goodness, so I can reasonably waste $160 for the team I'm rooting for.
Johan Santana: A- You can't ask much more out of the $137 million man. With the exception of his first home start against Milwaukee and the first post-Willie Era start against the Angels, Santana has put the Mets in position to win his starts, but has often suffered the same lack of run support that hanuted Pedro at his peak. His penchant for legendary 2nd halves have many Met fans extremely opitimistic on top of the current streak. You would be hard pressed to say he hasn't been worth it so far.
Pedro Martinez: C- And that grade might be generous. Pedro has made it to the 6th inning just once in 9 starts and has an ERA of 6.25, a WHIP of 1.63 and opponents are hitting almost .300 against him. Mets fans knew when Martinez signed a 4-year deal back in December 2004 that we weren't getting the greatest pitcher on the planet Pedro of 1998-2000, but a #1 wasn't too much to ask and a good #2 upon the arrival of Santana this season. Coming into this season, we were hoping to get at least the pre-injury 2006 edition of Pedro, but even that is wishful thinking at this point. His fastball barely tops 90 and while his changeup is still what it always has been, he has had to rely mostly on smarts and grit to get by, and while this would be enough 2 or 3 years ago, it now renders him to the latin equivalent of John Burkett. Met fans can only hope for one last blaze of glory to salvage his career here, but having his health should they make it to October would suffice.
John Maine: B Maine didn't quite have the stellar 1st half he had last year, but he and Johan have been the two rocks of the staff of an otherwise unstable staff and season. Maine's knack for winning games when they absolutely have to has continued and if for nothing else, should be the top reason why Omar Minaya or if there's a new administration need to re-sign this coming winter, though I wouldn't put it past any of the parties involved not to, remember, youth isn't a strong point of theirs.
Mike Pelfrey: B+ The transformation of Pelfrey over the last month has been a revelation and proof that Minaya was extremely lucky to keep him out of the Santana deal. Throughout his struggles of the last 2 years, Pelfrey always maintained that he knew he was doing all the right things and that it would eventually lead to success, which was met with a lot of skepticism. Whether it was confidence in his stuff or just finding the right location, Pelfrey has become dependable for the last month and supplied everyone with the confidence that they can win that night. The most noticeable change in Pelfrey recently is that he's been more willing to trust his fastball in the upper 90s and go right after hitters, which sets up his nasty slider which has given him many a double play. If Pelfrey has officially turned the corner and keeps this up, the Mets have a real shot to take over the post in the N.L. East and fend off the Phils.
Oliver Perez: C+ The riddle wrapped in a mystery wrapped in an enigma that is Ollie continues. After having a solid 2007 that ended with a disappointing effort in Game 160, winning an arbitration case thanks to the efforts of Cyborg Boras and free agency looming, many felt this would be the year that Perez finally showed that he is a frontline starter, but instead has gone in circles so far. He continues to be money in big games, but starts like the ones against the Giants and the Mariners leave you going "What the fuck was that?" The inopportune walks and the frustration from him that follows have continued to haunt him. That said, he has shown marked improvement since the ouster of Rick Peterson who he reportedly did not see eye to eye with at all, whether Dan Warthen can finally be the one to harness Ollie's potential is the $6 million question that could help propel this team.
Billy Wagner: B Wagner's propensity for shooting off his mouth has overshadowed what has been a largely successful 1st half. His change to the wind-up has resulted in converting 22 of 28 saves, 3 of the blown saves coming in 4 days, a team leading 2.31 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and an opponent average of .193. With the recent announcement that Francisco Rodriguez will be a free agent, you have to wonder that even with 1 more season remaining on his deal, if this is Wagner's final season in New York.
Pedro Feliciano: B- The Other Pedro isn't the reliever he was in 2006 and occasionally gives you the shakes, but is still a safe bet out of the pen.
Duaner Sanchez: C+ The return of Duaner to the set-up role in 2008 had many Met fans (myself included) and while he went through struggles in May and early June, Sanchez has excelled since Jerry Manuel gave him the main 8th inning specialist. If he regains even 3/4 of his pre-injury 06 form, the bullpen is already upgraded from last year, then again Tug McGraw's corpse > Guillermo Mota.
Scott Schoeneweis: B+ From bullpen pariah last year to being booed at both Opening Days this year to reliable lefty now, Scotty Show has seen every emotional angle in the last 10 months. Whether he had recovered from a non-operable injury from last year or just caught the upside that relievers so often experience from year to year, Schoeneweis has posted an ERA of 2.65 aand an opposing average of .226.
Aaron Heilman: C To his credit, he hasn't whined about starting this season and given that his name is an trade rumor almost every other day, The Furher has handled it about as well as you can ask him. That said, Heilman's troubles against lefties have gotten progessively worse and his recent surge over the past few weeks is the only thing salvaged his grade.
Joe Smith: B Nasty has fit the description of situational reliever perfectly. He has an ERA under three and opponents are hitting near the Mendoza line against him. What Smitty's undoing last year was a poor 2nd half that ultimately sent him back to New Orelans and eventually a culprit of The Collapse, let's see if he learns from his mistakes.
Carlos Muniz: C+ This year's floater could be a key component of the bullpen if given the opportunity. Muniz has been called up 4 different times this season and his pitched mostly mop-up situations, save for a jam against the Dodgers at home in late May which he got out of without damage. He has the stuff and confidence to be a 7th or 8th inning guy, but he needs some experience to make it happen. I hope Manuel will give him the opportunity.
Claudio Vargas: C Grade fits perfect. Average.
Nelson Figueroa and Tony Armas Jr.: D Armas produced little following a solid opening start at St. Louis and Figueroa's most memorable moment came when he bitched out the Nationals for cheering like a Little League team. While he did have a point, it would've been nice had he not held a charity walk-a-thon every time he pitched. Thank you, Nelson, for nothing.
Jorge Sosa and Matt Wise: F In their defense, their other job is being a 2007 re-enactor, so in that sense, they're dedicated to their craft.
Hitters and coaches tomorrow.......
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