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K-Rod is delusional, Phillies are team to beat
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Certainly, the sniping is central to baseball's blood feud du jour, but it's the pennant races that have made it what it is. In each of the last three seasons, the Philles and Mets have occupied the top two spots in the NL East standings. That fact and the proximities involved make for a compelling rivalry. It also brings us back to K-Rod's pronouncement: Are the Mets indeed the team to beat in the East?
Last season, of course, the Phillies won the division by three games and then barged to the second championship in franchise history. Also, if you look at runs scored and runs allowed, the Phillies should've taken the flag by four games. So there was nothing aberrant or fluke-ish about what happened last season. With that said, the winter maneuverings to date must be considered ...
In 2008, the Mets ranked 13th in the 16-team NL in relief ERA, and only the Cardinals blew more save opportunities. By adding Rodriguez, J.J. Putz and Sean Green, the Mets have improved their bullpen. Right?
Let's not forget that they'll be without Billy Wagner, who'll miss all of 2009 after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery; Scott Schoeneweis, who was traded to Arizona; and Joe Smith, who's now an Indian. Those are significant losses, and they're being overlooked in the rush to praise the additions of Rodriguez and Putz. Last season, Wagner, Schoeneweis and Smith combined for 167.0 innings and an ERA of 3.18.
Obviously, the Mets will miss those innings. Sure, they've parted with Aaron Heilman, who, as the Mets' primary setup man last season, posted a grisly ERA of 5.21, and replacing Heilman's innings with Putz's will mean good things for the Mets' bullpen. Still, though, don't forget about the losses of Wagner, Schoeneweis and Smith. Add up all the debits and credits and you've got a bullpen that's improved but not by that much.
As well, there's the loss of Endy Chavez, who was sent to Seattle as part of the Putz swap. It's more significant than you might think. Chavez isn't much with the bat, but he's one of the best defensive outfielders in all of baseball. The Mets' staff, which is somewhat fly-ball inclined, will miss him.
The Phillies, in essence, have swapped out Pat Burrell for Raul Ibanez. Last season, Burrell, who authored a batting line of .250 AVG/.367 OBP/.507 SLG, was a productive hitter for Philadelphia. However, he's less effective against right-handed pitching, and he's a terrible defender. Ibanez, meanwhile, has been a consistent power source over the last half-decade despite playing his home games in pitcher-friendly Safeco Field. He's going to hit right-handers, his numbers will improve — at least superficially — because of the change in environment and he'll be a more tolerable defender than Burrell. Consider this a modest upgrade for the Phillies, at least in the near-term.
So the New York bullpen, given health, will be slightly better in 2009, and the Phillies' will be somewhat improved in left field. Both teams, though, face uncertainties in the rotation. If the season were to open right now, the Mets would trot out a rotation of Johan Santana, John Maine, Mike Pelfry, Jon Niese and probably Brandon Knight. After Maine, it's all uncertainties and unknown quantities.
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| Philly has a pretty nice closer of its own. (Elsa / Getty Images) |
As for the Phillies, their rotation at the moment comprises of Hamels, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer (just re-signed), Joe Blanton and a gathering of mediocrities from which they must find a fifth starter (that gathering includes Chan Ho Park, James Happ, Kyle Kendrick, Carlos Carrasco and Andrew Carpenter — the good news for the Phillies is that fifth starters are almost always medocrities). Santana is the best pitcher on either team, but the Phillies have their own ace in Hamels and much better depth.
The Mets get the narrow edge on offense, but Philly has the better bullpen and team defense (the Phillies, according to Ultimate Zone Rating, had the best defense in the NL last season). Ultimately, the NL East in 2009 may be determined by how well the Mets flesh out their rotation. Specifically, they'll need to add at least one quality starting pitcher to the mix. Over at Baseball Think Factory, Chris Dial advocates re-upping with Oliver Perez, and that's a reasonable solution. Another idea is to go after Derek Lowe, who's more consistent than Perez. Ben Sheets is a gamble, but when healthy, he's among the best pitchers in the game — he's another thought. Even Randy Johnson is an option. The point is that unless the Mets add another useful arm to the rotation, they're certainly not going to overtake the Phillies in '09. And even if they do add that arm, the Phillies will still be the rightful favorites.
The Mets' ballyhooed improvements are mostly illusory, and they still have work to do. That's why, as things stand now, K-Rod was dead wrong: The Phillies are the team to beat in the NL East.
Member Comments
and Philly26, leave these folks alone hahahaha
J.Money2112/26/2008 23:11:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
it doesnt a philly to realize that usually when you win the championship the year before,then the start of the next season that same team is the team to beat, because number one,theyre the only ones wit a bullzeye on their backs and number two,THEY WON THE WORLD SERIES. i hate the team to death but dang it aint rocket science to tell whos the team to beat, its philly,and unless they dont win the world series again next year, then they still the team to beat......period
J.Money2112/26/2008 23:09:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
wow dodgerblue...little bitter?...I mean the phils walked threw the dodgers with no problem....Anyone see the trend here? every team the phils beat their fans are jealous...wow....Fact is Phils have the title people...what happen to the Mets the past two seasons?..Nothing saw us win! Isn't wining the thing you are suppose to do? so since when is wining a title not a big deal?...when someone has a REAL answer to that....then im wrong...Other wise anything a met or a met fan says is BULL and just garbage and dose not matter....You rip the phils not wining anything and here they win...and you just make other excuses....The worst thing for you nitwits is to count the phils out...Every year its mets this mets that...Phils win, we get into playoffs CC that CC this and brewers will win...WRONG phils smoke them,Dodgers this dodgers that and manny this and that...Phils walk right threw hollywood...Oh and yea don't forget about the Rays the team that was destined to win and NO way will the phils beat any team from the AL east...Yea the phils SMOKED the rays and won the title....and now the mets are the team to beat? hahah ....I don't know where some of you guys get your knowledge for sports..but its 110% wrong....Like jimmy said it doesn't take 1 man to win, now that the mets have 3...it still doesn't take 3 men...it takes a team to win...A TEAM!...Until i see the team next year holding the 09 title..there is no team to beat besides the phils...hate it or love it but its the truth and sometimes truth hurts and boy does it show threw all the haters..
Philly2612/26/2008 22:25:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Hey Dayn....Wake Up!!! You are such an idiot!!! Anyone can do your job. Let's just sit on our A##
DodgerBlue077712/26/2008 19:16:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Might be true TUNIS.....<br /><br /><br />If PHILLY26 said it better, I might have agreed with him all the way. He said things in a mean manner. So I do not agree entirely. Just mostly.
ktb888812/26/2008 9:43:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Wow, looking at dorn payroll sheet is only proof that the Mets
tuniss3712/26/2008 7:48:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I think that K Rod is excited. The Phillies are THE team to beat. They are the Champs after all. But the Mets are exciting as well. Great bats, gloves and pitching are all there. The Mets had such a black hole in their relievers the last 2 years, that I am pretty sure others took notice too. He addresses that issue head on, along with putz, that it seems the Mets greatest weakness now becomes a strength. I'd be excited too.
ktb888812/26/2008 6:46:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
ThunderBeast...You couldn't sound like more of a loser....You bring up the braves being a power house but guess what bud?....they had to start somewhere...Dude youre such a joke, We win the WS does not meaning nothing? Well means a hell of a lot more then what your mets did now doesn't it? It means we are the champs you chump! went 11-3 in playoffs..that means we aren't good? LOL.....2. Cole never brought up the mets choking...It was your OWN RADIO GUY HAHA YOU NITWIT HAH...Your own people invite our player on a NY radio station and asked the questions and Laughed..hahah ..HAHA beast of the East haha you guys say it every year dude..GET A CLUE...NYmets fan...why you guys crying for??? awwww what a jerk huh? awww poor baby met fans....Just because a writer told the truth that until you beat out the champs youre not the team to beat you guys take it to heart like a bunch of girls....hey thunderbeast....watchout for what??? we are still waiting man...Beltran said you were the team to beat in 08 and you guys did what again? oh yea phils won the WS...so yea go ahead keep talking the talk...we know the mets can't walk the walk.....NYmet fan you agreeing with thundergirl...shows me that you pretty much know zip about baseball..So i guess them world series titles you guys won back in the day means nothing right?? LOL You guys make me laugh..haha typical mets fans.
Philly2612/25/2008 22:22:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I don't usually like to get into the fray but, DDP keeps repeating his invective against the Phillies and bringing up the twice in XX amount of years thing about the championship. Sounds like you are a sore loser. I have nothing bad to say against the Mets, as they fought hard and fell just a little bit short and, if they win next year, I will congratulate them. In one posting I saw a couple of weeks ago, a Phillies fan brought up an interesting statistic and it was that the overall win-loss percentage for the entire existence of the Mets was .03 percent better than the Phillies so, I would think that you do not have any big bragging rights based on that. I would imagine that some of the vitriol from you aimed at the Phillies may simply be based on retaliation to some baseless attacks that some Phillies fans made after the series to sort of rub it in. I don't agree with the rubbing in, or even bringing anything at all up against the Mets, as the Phils fans should just enjoy their championship and not worry about hitting on the Mets, or any other team. I just think that some of DDP's statements about the whole championship being a fluke and luck is wrong. I sure hope that if you guys win it next year, no one says that about the Mets, and I mean that.
Mikey3812/25/2008 12:30:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
the mets are trying to take the title of biggest chokers in NYC from the $pankee$.<br /><br />To paraphrase "The Departed" " if k-rod knew anything, he would be a PR"<br /><br />or a loudmouth in this case
mjlew12/25/2008 11:47:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
the new mets logo. mr. mut with his hands around his neck... CHOKING like the choke artists you are. say what you want, but you CAN'T say this.... 2008 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS. STILL THE TEAM TO BEAT
2morePBRs12/25/2008 11:05:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Thunderbeast<br />Your not saying anything but the truth<br /><br />The writer is a j-erk and a idiot
NYMets_fan12/24/2008 14:34:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
ive got to agree with ddp25, u philly fans r such losers, just because your team won the WS doesnt make them a powrhouse in baseball. i hate the braves(being a mets fan), but in the nineties they were a powerhouse team for nearly 15 years. So just cause the phils won dont mean nothing. the cracker that wrote this article should be looking for a new job cause he sucks at journalism, kinda like the phils at bball. and i believe that cole camels started this peeing match a few weeks ago about the mets choking, so phils fans look out this coming year for the beast of the east to come out of shoot and blaze a trail of bloodshed and heartache.
ThunderBeast12/24/2008 13:17:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
the idiot mets should be able<br />to put it together for 09
kju101912/24/2008 11:57:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
What a moron. Are you telling me losing Schoenweis is somehow a bad thing for the Mets? And Wagners blown saves? You can get the stats to says almost anything if you analyze them long enough. I'm not saying the Mets are going to win the division, but no doubt - they are improved. Ridding ourselves of Heilman is great, but losing Schoenweis is even better.
giantpower12/24/2008 10:44:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
1 (1) Yankees $209,081,579 $195,229,045 $13,852,534 <br /> 2 (9) Tigers $138,685,197 $95,180,369 $43,504,828 <br /> 3 (3) Mets $138,293,378 $117,915,819 $20,377,559 <br /> 4 (2) Red Sox $133,440,037 $143,526,214 ($10,086,177) <br /> 5 (4) White Sox $121,152,667 $109,680,167 $11,472,500 <br /> 6 (5) Angels $119,216,333 $109,251,333 $9,965,000 <br /> 7 (8) Cubs $118,595,833 $99,937,000 $18,658,833 <br /> 8 (6) Dodgers $118,536,038 $108,704,524 $9,831,514 <br /> 9 (7) Mariners $117,993,982 $106,516,833 $11,477,149 <br /> 10 (13) Braves $102,424,018 $89,492,685 $12,931,333 <br /> 11 (12) Cardinals $100,624,450 $90,286,823 $10,337,627 <br /> 12 (17) Blue Jays $98,641,957 $79,925,600 $18,716,357 <br /> 13 (14) Phillies $98,269,881 $89,368,214 $8,901,667 <br /> 14 (15) Astros $88,930,415 $87,759,500 $1,170,915 <br /> 15 (18) Brewers $81,004,167 $71,986,500 $9,017,667 <br /> 16 (23) Indians $78,970,067 $61,673,267 $17,296,800 <br /> 17 (11) Giants $76,904,500 $90,469,056 ($13,564,556) <br /> 18 (20) Reds $74,277,695 $69,154,980 $5,122,715 <br /> 19 (24) Padres $73,677,617 $58,235,567 $15,442,050 <br /> 20 (25) Rockies $68,655,500 $54,424,000 $14,231,500 <br /> 21 (21) Rangers $68,239,551 $68,818,675 ($579,124) <br /> 22 (10) Orioles $67,196,248 $95,107,807 ($27,911,559) <br /> 23 (26) Diamondbacks $66,202,713 $52,067,546 $14,135,167 <br /> 24 (19) Twins $62,182,767 $71,439,500 ($9,256,733) <br /> 25 (22) Royals $58,245,500 $67,366,500 ($9,121,000) <br /> 26 (28) Nationals $54,961,000 $37,347,500 $17,613,500 <br /> 27 (27) Pirates $49,365,283 $38,604,500 $10,760,783 <br /> 28 (16) A's $47,967,126 $79,938,369 ($31,971,243) <br /> 29 (30) Rays $43,820,598 $24,124,200 $19,696,398 <br /> 30 (29) Marlins $21,836,500 $30,507,000 ($8,670,500) <br /><br /> 1 (1) Yankees $209,081,579 $195,229,045 $13,852,534 <br /> 2 (9) Tigers $138,685,197 $95,180,369 $43,504,828 <br /> 3 (3) Mets $138,293,378 $117,915,819 $20,377,559 <br /> 4 (2) Red Sox $133,440,037 $143,526,214 ($10,086,177) <br /> 5 (4) White Sox $121,152,667 $109,680,167 $11,472,500 <br /> 6 (5) Angels $119,216,333 $109,251,333 $9,965,000 <br /> 7 (8) Cubs $118,595,833 $99,937,000 $18,658,833 <br /> 8 (6) Dodgers $118,536,038 $108,704,524 $9,831,514 <br /> 9 (7) Mariners $117,993,982 $106,516,833 $11,477,149 <br /> 10 (13) Braves $102,424,018 $89,492,685 $12,931,333 <br /> 11 (12) Cardinals $100,624,450 $90,286,823 $10,337,627 <br /> 12 (17) Blue Jays $98,641,957 $79,925,600 $18,716,357 <br /> 13 (14) Phillies $98,269,881 $89,368,214 $8,901,667 <br /> 14 (15) Astros $88,930,415 $87,759,500 $1,170,915 <br /> 15 (18) Brewers $81,004,167 $71,986,500 $9,017,667 <br /> 16 (23) Indians $78,970,067 $61,673,267 $17,296,800 <br /> 17 (11) Giants $76,904,500 $90,469,056 ($13,564,556) <br /> 18 (20) Reds $74,277,695 $69,154,980 $5,122,715 <br /> 19 (24) Padres $73,677,617 $58,235,567 $15,442,050 <br /> 20 (25) Rockies $68,655,500 $54,424,000 $14,231,500 <br /> 21 (21) Rangers $68,239,551 $68,818,675 ($579,124) <br /> 22 (10) Orioles $67,196,248 $95,107,807 ($27,911,559) <br /> 23 (26) Diamondbacks $66,202,713 $52,067,546 $14,135,167 <br /> 24 (19) Twins $62,182,767 $71,439,500 ($9,256,733) <br /> 25 (22) Royals $58,245,500 $67,366,500 ($9,121,000) <br /> 26 (28) Nationals $54,961,000 $37,347,500 $17,613,500 <br /> 27 (27) Pirates $49,365,283 $38,604,500 $10,760,783 <br /> 28 (16) A's $47,967,126 $79,938,369 ($31,971,243) <br /> 29 (30) Rays $43,820,598 $24,124,200 $19,696,398 <br /> 30 (29) Marlins $21,836,500 $30,507,000 ($8,670,500) <br /> 1 (1) Yankees $209,081,579 $195,229,045 $13,852,534 <br /> 2 (9) Tigers $138,685,197 $95,180,369 $43,504,828 <br /> 3 (3) Mets $138,293,378 $117,915,819 $20,377,559 <br /> 4 (2) Red Sox $133,440,037 $143,526,214 ($10,086,177) <br /> 5 (4) White Sox $121,152,667 $109,680,167 $11,472,500 <br /> 6 (5) Angels $119,216,333 $109,251,333 $9,965,000 <br /> 7 (8) Cubs $118,595,833 $99,937,000 $18,658,833 <br /> 8 (6) Dodgers $118,536,038 $108,704,524 $9,831,514 <br /> 9 (7) Mariners $117,993,982 $106,516,833 $11,477,149 <br /> 10 (13) Braves $102,424,018 $89,492,685 $12,931,333 <br /> 11 (12) Cardinals $100,624,450 $90,286,823 $10,337,627 <br /> 12 (17) Blue Jays $98,641,957 $79,925,600 $18,716,357 <br /> 13 (14) Phillies $98,2
dorn12/24/2008 10:39:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I was born in Pennsylvania, but when it came to baseball, we were Yankees fans in our house with the Phillies coming in at a very close 2nd. The only time I didn't root for the Phillies was when they were playing the Yanks. But I gotta say, that after watching the Phillies win the World Series the way they did, I have a newfound and profound respect for them. I have to agree with Kingston. Philly really fought their way to this championship, (although I will admit that there was a REALLY small bit of luck involved). But nobody wanted to give Philly a chance. Almost everyone thought that this would be the year for the Cubs to finally win one, or that the Red Sox would repeat. Once the Cubs were gone, then almost everyone thought that for sure the Dodgers would win it all. As soon as the Phillies took care of the Dodgers. All the attention shifted to the AL. Then, as the Rays finished off Boston, everyone was rooting for Tampa. The only people rooting for Philly were Philly fans. I was rooting for them all the way, and it was very inspiring to see them win. And I will continue to root for them in 2009. Unfortunatly for the Yanks, I have lost my respect for them as an orginization. Now, I know that they don't care if they lose one fan, but I think it is sad for the Yanks, and for some other teams in the league that everything is all about money, and buying the best and biggest players instead of developing a winning plan with the players you have. Now, don't get me wrong. If you have the money to spend, then more power to ya. But the Yanks have been spending so much money trying to put a superstar team together, and the last time they won a World Series was 8 years ago, back in 2000! That's pretty pathetic if you ask me considering all of the money that are spending. Like I said before, if they have the money, great do what you want with it, but don't you think that it's a little tooo much??...Hmph! And the government wants to make us believe that there is a recession...recession my a__!!
El_Cuco2312/24/2008 7:50:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
The question above is an easy one: The Braves will win the NL East. They may not have the players they need to win, but like DDP25 incorporated into his response, LUCK happens, and this year the luck is with the Braves.
tallboy0012/24/2008 3:31:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Hey Kingston, Justin Timberlake? I'm sorry, I didn't know how simpleminded you were. Let me put it this way. Once upon a time in a land far far away (Philadelphia) there lived simple folk who liked little boy bands and used them to prove a meaningless point about winning one time (now you ask for warm milk and cookies). When all of a sudden the big bad big city folk told them about a new fangeled thing called luck. <br /><br />Oh I can't do this anymore, look you keep talking about winning by spending all this money. I guess you only speak about what other people tell you. The Mets never one by spending neither have the Jets, Giants, Yankees to and extent and especially the Knicks. So perhaps you should reevaluate your comments little boy. As I mentioned before this is only baseball, relax and enjoy your hard faught WS Wind. We can discuss this again and the end of next season. WOW I must have really hit a nerve with you.<br /><br />Good Luck.
DDP2512/23/2008 21:16:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Perry, you are delusional if you think that the Mets are just "slightly" better in the bullpen. Say what you want about Schoeneweiss' overall stats from last season but he was 2-6 with 4 blown saves. And in September he was 0-3 with an ERA over 5. And both years before that his ERA was about 5.00. Smith , I will say was pretty good...18 holds in 21 opps...but Sho was AWFUL, Perry. And to replace those 2 guys with 2 ALL STAR closers...come on dude, get a brain..HUGE upgrade.
martyr196812/23/2008 19:38:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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