Is It Too Early or Too Late To Panic?

Four straight losses. A 6-9 record. Five games out of first place - and just 2 1/2 out of last.

Can the Mets be fixed?

As we detailed in today's Record, the Mets continued their freefall by succumbing meekly to a three-game sweep in St. Louis. The problem is pitching and maybe that's no surprise.

When the Mets were nearing the end of camp, I asked our readers here what worried them and we got plenty of answers - almost all of them eerily on the money. The No. 1 concern was the starting pitching behind Johan Santana and that has quickly come true in the worst way. Four starters with ERA's over 7.00 isn't about to carry the Mets to a title.

The real problem is what to do. While there is some speculation that the Mets could demote Mike Pelfrey or Oliver Perez that seems a last resort. Pelfrey has battled some injuries and frankly, the truth is that there is no one in the minors who seems anywhere near ready to take a major league spot.

There was some contention in the organization that Dillon Gee could take the fifth spot in the rotation out of camp, but that contingent was overruled with the belief that it is far too soon. Statistics can be deceptive, but he's 0-2 with a 4.80 ERA for Buffalo, so maybe a quick call isn't in line.

Perez might need the work, but really, he's just as likely to throw a no-hitter as give up seven runs next time out. And he is very unlikely to change his colors no matter where you try to work with him.

So the likely solution is to wait and hope that the pitchers turn it around.

In the meantime, maybe a little extra hustle and fire from the position players wouldn't hurt.

The question now is, what worries you today? Is it just the starting pitching? Do you believe that Daniel Murphy will grow into an outfielder? And is it time to invite Pedro Martinez back?

 

Comments

[limetfan]

no interest in Pedro. People forget Figgy pitched fine in Pelfs absence so really just 3 bad starts.Maine needs time to right himself and Ollie is Ollie. The Mets last year hovered around .500 for half the season. No reason to panic. Like to see Sheff contributeif he is going to play and Murphy just needs to relax.

[devilsfan 92]

i don't think this is such a minor concern. Unless we plan to finish april 15 games under 500. I would certainly bring up Niese from the minors and give him a shot. Maybe we can give santana some run support tonight for a change.

[Jason]

Niese is off to a horrible start in AAA. Don't expect to see him anytime soon.

Good news is that Fernando Martinez is off to a very good start. Doubles machine so far.

The offense needs to take the heat off the starters and put up some big numbers on this homestand. Time for Wright to get going already. Hopefully, that rbi single to rightfield (remember when he would go opposite field with power all the time)and being in the 5 spot will get him going.

[MJ]

Yes, it is BIG time to worry. After Johan, the starting pitching on this team is atrocious. All they have to do is pitch 5 decent innings and just get to the bullpen. They can'e even do that. This is Met management fault for being cheap and signing Ollie (who they should have let take a walk) instead of the better options that were out there. They made this bed now they gotta sleep in it.

[Ravi]

The Mets may be 2.5 from last place, and 5 games out of first, but aside from the Marlins (who are falling back to Earth), the whole division is separated by 3 games...Of course while all is not lost, we could easily look back on any one of these losses as the difference between making the postseason, and not.

Unfortunately, there really isn't much that the Mets can do at the moment to bring in other talent. Pedro is not the answer, Sheets is still 2 months out, and no top pitchers will be dealt just yet. Looking toward the minors, the there are reinforcements in Garcia and Redding, but will they be the answer? Who knows. Given the circumstances, all the Mets really can do is just ride it out for the moment. If Pelf is able to come back strong, that will be a big plus, and perhaps getting two straight strong starts from Johan and Pelf will kick start the rotation.

[number15]

i don't think it's time to push the red button yet but i think there are a lot of worries with this team. regarding the middle three in the rotation, i think some met fans have had a higher opinion of them than the reality. pelf has had one solid year and now is in line for the verducci effect, while maine and perez have never been consistent year-to-year. the outfield right now is a mess with 4 guys competing for 2 spots. jerry is not managing it well in my opinion, and i think it may be time to cut ties with sheff. it was a low risk move that i was in favor of, but there was a reason why detroit agreed to may him 14 mil to leave. at this point, he is muddling the outfield picture and taking ab's away from guys that need and deserve them

[lets go devils]

I don't think sheffield has been doing so bad. He has been hitting the ball hard for the most part, he's just had bad luck. Plus, just because Tatis had one good year doesn't mean he is automatically going to be good and is only struggling because of sheffield. another suggestion, if murphy is out put church in the two hole, because he needs to get going. does anyone know if pelfry is expected to pitch on saturday?

[number15]

lgd- the reason i disagree with you is because sheff is coming off a year batting .225, while seemed to get every possible clutch hit last year and hit .297

[number15]

*while tatis semmed

[Steve Popper]

I'm off today - but to answer your question (Lets Go Devils) - yes, Pelfrey is scheduled to start Saturday. He threw bullpen sessions Tuesday and Thursday and said he felt great.

[Jason W.]

There are plenty of ??? to start the season, but we will have to wait until after this stretch of 13 games against division opponents over the next 2 weeks.

You cant panic too soon, but cant wait too long. but 16 games into a season is too short to panic.

Im not happy but we have to remember we have 146 games remaining this season. the starters will come around, the hitters will find their groove.