As promised, we've gone down the list of Mets that needed to perform well this year for a successful New York Mets campaign and a few others that made an impact and we like what we see. Of course we do! This is Mets Kool-Aid! With that, let's see who's moving to the head of the class:Jason Bay: C+
Being a Mets Kool-Aid post, we have to get the semi-low points out of the way early so we can end on a good note. That said, I think we all had really high expectations out of the main piece the Mets brought in during the offseason. I mean, he did lead the AL in RBI last year. We keep hearing how streaky of a hitter Bay can be, but the offensive upswings haven't been as great as his down ones in the first half. That said, we've seen some unexpected speed and defensive play from Bay reflecting his adjustment to Citi Field. Also, even though he's pricier, this team wouldn't be where it is with a Tatis/He also ended the first half with a nice run of RBIs. This makes me believe that his second half could be explosive and he could get his grade up. I also think Jason has the most to gain from Beltran being back in the lineup.
Francisco Rodriguez: B
I was talking to my friend the other day, who was bashing K-Rod, and asked if he thought the Mets would ever have a closer that anyone trusted. He said he didn't know. From a feeling standpoint, I can't give K-Rod an A, but I also look at the stats and see 21 saves, a 2.45 ERA and 4 blown saves (2 of which turned into wins for the Mets). All in all, that's not too bad. I also realize that while I always heard of K-Rod when he was in Anaheim, I never really saw him play consistently to see him be a shut down closer. He hasn't wowed me like a Mariano or a Papelbon do, but maybe that's not the way he goes. He's posting the best K/BB ratio and BB/9inn since before he started closing, he's on pace for over 40 saves which is his average if you don't count the record-breaking season, he's high energy, and if you look at it closely, he gets the job done. I don't think we can ask for much more except giving us that safe feeling going into the 9th - he does that in the second half and he would definitely earn an A.
Jose Reyes: B+
On one hand, after being out for the greater part of last season, high expectations out of someone that predominantly uses speed and agility would be unreasonable expectations. On the other hand, Jose is required to be the spark plug for a New York team that wins most of the games where he scores a run. When Jose was on in the first half, so was the team. A strained oblique has everyone worried at this point, but the book is not yet written on Jose's second half. If he can continue to bounce back like he did in the first half and get on base, this is a lineup that will knock him in.
Johan Santana: B+
Speaking of high expectations, I think only Johan Santana could post a sub-3 ERA in the first half and have it be considered a bit of a down year for him. That said, aside from a shaky June and one bad start in Philly, Santana has been as dominant as he has been since joining the Mets. People look at wins are get discouraged, but only twice in Johan's career has he won more than 16 games. Furthermore, if the Mets have a great second half, there's no reason he can't win 18-20 games building on the 7 he has now. Especially since his last few starts have been lights out. Johan has been as shaky as a legend can be, but that seems to be behind him at this point.
Mike Pelfrey: A
I really wanted to give Mike Pelfrey an A+ for his first half, but it's one of those situations where he hasn't been terribly consistent in the past and finished on a sour note which makes you nervous for the future. With that said, Mike Pelfrey was one of the best surprises of the first half. Having essentially a breakout year with his 10 wins leading the team. Also, a 3.58 ERA doesn't even reflect how he shut down so many teams earlier in the season. For a stretch there, he was definitely the ace of the team and was very close to being named an all-star. Most of all, it's been his composure and command that have had everyone talking and this is what gets you excited for the future with Pelf. With a dominant Johan and Pelf at the top of the rotation, this team not only will be a playoff contender, but a team that can win IN the playoffs. Let's just hope the few days off does Mike some good and that the second half goes just as well as the first half started.
David Wright: A
David Wright's first half could essentially be turned into a sports movie real easily. The season starts great with a home run, strikeouts and doubters pop up after a season of struggles last year, people start to question whether he'll be the player everyone expected, and BOOM!. The guy hit over .400 in June, looks better than he ever did even when he was dominating, is leading the league in RBIs, and is in line for heavy consideration for first half NL MVP let alone team MVP. David Wright is a prototypical franchise player and this season he's cementing that notion by playing up to his potential. The return of Beltran can only help in keeping that going. All the issues with Citi Field, the team, and all the other distractions are in the past and David has fallen into a groove he should keep up in the second half. Definite A+ if not for the early K's and struggles.
RA Dickey: A+
Speaking of sports movies, here's one that actually would be a great one. Former top prospect flame-out reinvents himself as a knuckleballer that no one can touch all of the sudden. I'd watch that movie - and I'd enjoy it just as much as I've enjoyed watching Dickey pitch this season. Literally, he's been almost flawless. Posting a 6-2 record and 2.77 ERA, he went from someone that I was waiting for to implode, to a trustworthy pitcher on this staff that I'd trust in any game. Not only that, but in my opinion, he's one of the top reasons the Mets' record is what it is right now - but more on that in just a second...
Ike Davis: A+
When I look at the main reasons the Mets' record is as good as it is right now, I see a few reasons. Of course, David Wright playing well, Mike Pelfrey's breakout, Jon Niese turning out consistent, Reyes returning, and many others are reasons. However, before the season started, these are things that were in the plan. This team was built hoping for and even expecting some of these things to happen in order for the Mets to contend. RA Dickey as mentioned above and even more so, Ike Davis' emergence were too unexpected things. And, it is successes like this that separates a team that can win if things go right to a team that should win. The 11 HR and 40 RBIs put Ike in line to be a ROY candidate (even though it will probably go to Heyward or Strasburg), but I think what's most important is the role he played. On top of not being expected to arrive, he filled in at the cleanup spot - something both Wright and Bay weren't able to do very successfully this season. Most top prospects come in batting 6th or 7th. He's also made some great plays in the field. Think of how different this team would be if we had a Chris Carter/Fernando Tatis/Frank Cattalanotto platoon at first instead.
So there you go. Not everyone was covered and there's a lot of others who have contributed this year. Angel Pagan, Rod Barajas and Jon Niese are just two who come to mind. Either way, I think this team has exceeded our expectations for the first half and the second half looks like it may be even better. We are out of the basement and contending for a playoff spot. Overall, I give this first half an A...for Amazin'. See you in the second half and keep on drinking the kool-aid!
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