Trading an MVP

I'm not sure if it's ever been done before. Has an MVP candidate been traded mid-season and then gone on to win the award?

The Mets have a chance to make history if it hasn't happened. Jose Reyes should be in the discussion mix as an early contender for MVP. If he remains healthy and stays on his current hitting course, Reyes could very well lead the league in hits, triples, stolen bases, runs scored and be in the top 10 in batting average. On a contender, Reyes would be an ideal candidate for MVP, but on the Mets will he get the consideration he deserves?

I realize it's a bit early to talk end of season awards, but the Reyes trade rumors and discussions make it a relevant topic. Would you trade an MVP in mid-season? The irony is if there was ever a person you'd want to sign wouldn't it be someone who's potentially the leagues' MVP? Wouldn't that be a sound investment?

With the salaries of Perez, Beltran, KRod, Castillo and a number of other players coming off the books this year, it really shouldn't be a financial issue for the Mets to sign Reyes. It should be a question of whether his talents can help this team into the future. I think Reyes is showing you that his talent is unquestionable.

With all its faults, Citi Field was built for Jose Reyes. Why wouldn't you keep this player who is finally becoming the best shortstop in New York that we had predicted he would be just 4 years too soon.

Don't Trade Jose Reyes. Trading an MVP is unprecedented, but so are the decisions the Mets seem to make.

Jose Reyes Is Making a Run for MVP

It's only the middle of August and a lot could happen between now and October 1st, but I'm here to tell you that you should be enjoying the season Jose Reyes is having. For some reason, we're all caught up in the BLOWpen or the resurgance of Carlos Delgado or the surprising young studs to appreciate what Jose Reyes is doing.

Jose Reyes is quietly having an MVP season.

Now it's always hard to consider leadoff hitters in MVP talk because historically the "MVP categories" are home runs, RBI, slugging and the like. But Jose Reyes is putting up offensive numbers that any team would covet. Reyes is currently leading the league in hits, runs, and triples. He's 10th in the league in batting and doubles, and Reyes is second in stolen bases. Plus Reyes is posting higher than career average numbers in batting average, OBP, slugging percentange, and OPS. Reyes is also on track to hit 17-20 home runs and drive in over 70 RBI.

On top of all that he's playing a gold glove shortstop and has more impact on his team's record than arguably any player in baseball. And this guy wasn't considered an All Star?

So be sure to take notice of Jose Reyes and appreciate the performance he's putting on. I pray that he can keep up this offensive production because if he does it puts the Mets in much better position for October.

Hanging On

The Mets are hanging on for dear life. With nine games left and a game and a half lead over the Fightin’ Phils, the Mets need to hang on just a little longer. And it’s not getting any easier. On the heels of the news of Billy Wagner’s back spasms, Carlos Beltran goes down with a knee injury, and is listed as “day to day” which in Metsworld is more like a week; proving the old adage that, when it rains, it pours.

The Mets need to find a way to stave off this charge by the Phillies, who, let’s be honest, deserve a lot of credit for fighting their way back in to this thing. Granted, the Mets have played poorly, but the Phillies have shown remarkable resiliency led by probable MVP, Jimmy Rollins, who has been carrying his club down the stretch. And when you have guys like Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and a rejuvenated Pat Burrell in the lineup, you have one potent offense; the best in the NL.

The Mets, with their backs against the wall, and the Phillies breathing down their neck, have been in first place since the middle of May. I don’t want to hear about who needs to play what record with these remaining games; Mets play .500, Phils go 6-2…Whatever. All of that stuff goes right out the window if the Mets lose a game in the standings tonight. All they need to do is take one game at a time, and hold on to first place for one more week.

Time When Legends are Made or Pretenders Fade

So here we are again; time for that proverbial gut check, time to find out who’s going to rise up to the occasion and carry this team in to the post season. This is the time of year where legends are made or pretenders fade. It’s pressure-packed baseball for the next 13 games. What is it going to be for this 2007 Mets team? How will they write their history?

Will Jose Reyes remain a non-factor like he has been for most of the second half? Will David Wright warrant all of the MVP talk that surrounded him just four days ago? Will a starting pitcher dominate their next two or three starts and minimize the use of this team’s Achilles heel; the bull pen? And will Willie Randolph stop making bad decisions (a double switch with LoDuca in the 6^th inning – huh)?

These questions and many others will be answered over the next 12 days. We’ll find out one way or the other if this team has the guts, the resolve to win this thing once and for all. If not, it’s going to be a cold, dark winter and they will have no one to blame but themselves.

David + Wright = MVP

David Wright showed yet again why he should be the NL MVP this year coming through with a much needed 2-run home run yesterday which turned out to be the deciding runs of the game.

I was at the game and there's really nothing better than being part of Shea crowd that holds its collective breath while the ball keeps sailing and finally lands over the left field wall. The crowd then erupts with jubilation and immediately begins to chant M-V-P. We wanted a curtain call, but David Wright is too much of a gentleman to do that in the middle of a tight contest.

Oliver Perez could have had a disappointing night if not for Wright's home run. Perez pitched a fantastic game up until the 7th inning when he made one bad pitch to Brian McCann. With the count 3-2 and 2 outs, the Shea crowd stood on its feet and started to get Perez pumped up. That's when he dug deep and fired his fastest fastball of the night. The only problem was he threw it right down the middle and McCann sent that ball out to right in a hurry.

But Wright's home run was enough to keep the Mets on top on this night. Even Heilman and Wagner pitched an uneventful 8th and 9th, except for Beltran's fantastic grab to end the game.

I want a sweep of the Braves so badly. If the weather holds, we'll see how El Duque does on his return to night.

David Wright to be NL MVP?

Via Metsblog.com, I came across this blurb from ESPN.com's Rob Neyer as he discusses the MVP race in both leagues:

" P.S. By all measures I can find -- both numbers and media buzz -- if the Mets finish in first place, David Wright is a lock in the National League. Book it."

I'm shocked to hear a national baseball analyst make this remark. It could be just me but for the most part you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who is complimentary of the Mets outside of Jose Reyes.

I'm surprised by this also because if you compare Wright's numbers this year to Beltran's last year, I think Beltran was a better MVP candidate. But I'm not going to complain about this. David Wright deserves to be considered for MVP. If you base the MVP race solely on where the team would be without that player, Wright is the hands down MVP.

No one is more valuable to the success of the ballclub than David Wright. He's also without question the best hitter in the NL since the All Star break, and those who vote for awards like to see a surge down the stretch.

Sure I'm biased as a Mets fan, but I think the numbers speak for themselves. I'd love for Wright to be the MVP, but right now I just want him to keep leading this team to the playoffs.

And I know that's what David Wright wants more than anything too.