Close But No Cigar

The Mets did what they had to, they took one of the three games from the Braves. As I had previously mentioned, they could have even gotten swept and still been in decent shape for the rest of the season. The Mets showed in game two just what they are capable of and the Braves left 3.5 games behind, with the Mets having an easier schedule from here on out.

So, why do I feel so frustrated and let down by the Mets? Is it because Atlanta continues to show dominance over the Mets, as they have done for the past decade (except for last year)? Perhaps! Is it because the Braves have taken two out of three every time they have played this year, with the Braves ALWAYS winning the rubber game of the set? Quite Possibly! Is it because the Mets came so close to coming back yesterday and fell short (Close but no cigar), just could not get the job done? Probably!

Still, there is another factor here. Since the All-Star break neither John Maine nor Oliver Perez has looked nearly as dominating as they did before the break. I believe they are both adequate to good pitchers, but I also believe they were both pitching over their heads. Both pitchers were “throw ins” in deals surrounding other players. Forget how it worked out, Maine was a throw in, in the deal that brought Jorge Julio to New York, the main guy the Mets wanted in that deal and Maine’s AAA numbers were not that great. No scouts saw him becoming a dominant pitcher in the big leagues. Of course things do not always work out the way they were projected. No scout saw Ron Guidry becoming a lights out pitcher and scouts highly touted Mets prospects Paul Wilson, Bill Pulsipher and Jason Isringhausen (as a starter).

Oliver Perez came over in the deal that brought Roberto Hernandez back to New York, following the cab injury to Dauner Sanchez. Perez had been good a one time, but basically became a pitcher that everyone gave up on. I saw this deal and Omar Minaya insisting on someone in addition to Hernandez because he knew Roberto would only be a one year loan. Pirates GM looked to get off as cheap as possible and used Ollie as the throw in.

Again, both could come back strong, but since the break, neither has looked dominant. As we continue to march towards October baseball, that scares me. Yes, you can only pick up a pitcher that is on the market (or if not on the market, one that another team is willing to trade if you offer the right package). Yes, you do not want to mortgage your farm system, or future (think Scott Kazmir). Still, I would be so much more optimistic right now if the Mets has picked up another quality arm before the trading deadline ended.

Let's Go Mets!