Mets Fans Have a Right to be Negative

Have you ever been to a restaurant and really enjoyed your food, the ambiance, etc.? Then you go back a few times and still really like it. But then there's a few times where they just really let you down. The food was bad, you waited too long, or maybe you got sick afterward. You still go back there because it's one of your favorite places, but then it seems like every time you go you're disappointed. Bad food, bad service, the place isn't as clean as it used to.

So you stop going. You complain about the place to management, to your friends and colleagues. You complain about it more than  you normally would because this used to be a great place to hang out and enjoy yourself. Now it's a dump.

We all can agree that you have a right to complain about a restaurant, but there are a number of Mets fans out there who are getting all uppity (yes, uppity) about Mets fans being negative about the 2010 Mets team.

With what has happened since the 206 season, we have every right to have a negative outlook. We're still fans, but until this team proves their on the right track we're going to complain so that our voices are heard and things can head in the right direction. Just like you wouldn't go back to that restaurant unless you heard it was under new management or hired a new chef.

The last few weeks I can feel my attitude changing. Call it spring fever if you want but I'm excited about baseball again.However, I'm not going to bicker about Mets fans who aren't excited yet or don't have a positive outlook. They have every right to be negative if they're paying $400 for a family of four to go enjoy a ball game and have to suffer through an Oliver Perez start, and Alex Cora as the starting shortstop.

The negativity should be allowed for a while. If it becomes all that a Mets fan talks about they're probably not a real fan, but let the people get their frustration out. Perhaps this team will surprise us and be competitive for a while. Who knows? But the whining about the whining is getting annoying.

The Jose Reyes Question Mark

With all the drama, or lack thereof, this off season Jose Reyes has been pretty much overlooked as far as his progress and effect on this upcoming baseball season.

You can make the argument that Jose Reyes has a greater impact on the success or failure of the Mets over the last four seasons than any other Mets player.As soon as Reyes went down last year so did the Mets. Now the Mets probably would have fallen regardless of Reyes' injury, but his absence all season has set an uncomfortable tone throughout Mets nation that has people wondering what Reyes will be seen in 2010.

Mets fans have been sent back in time to those early Reyes years when he seemed to be a fragile player who was often injured. Are we getting sent back to that Reyes or is this just a freak injury that he has fully recovered from?

Reyes claims he is at 100% but the abomination in the front office has taken the limelight away from Reyes' return. If Reyes truly is healthy and returns to form, the Mets will be able to survive in the NL East or at least be somewhat competitive. However, if Reyes takes a step backward the Mets are in a world of hurt (pardon the pun).

Reyes's game is contingent on his speed. As soon as he loses that, he quickly becomes just an average baseball player at the top of the lineup. Reyes can't fall back on his plate discipline or opposite field power or any other skill set that slower players rely on to succeed. Reyes is all speed and without that his bat isn't much of an asset.

Not like Mets fans needed something else to worry about this early in the year, but Reyes could be the linchpin for the Mets to even be competitive in 2010.

In One Series, Mets Do And Don't Disappoint

Losing three out of four games to the Braves is disappointing. Having two of those games be total blowouts is disappointing. Losing Fernando Nieve after one inning is very disappointing. Watching Saturday's phenomenal game only to have Sunday's utter and total debacle follow it is disappointing.
Knowing for certain that the 2009 season is over is not.

I requested that the Mets do me the favor of not dragging out this season and they have obliged. Face it folks the 2009 season is over.

Quit calling WFAN talking about the moves the Mets need to make. Quit telling me we don't need starting pitching because we can't score runs. Quit talking about injuries.

Let's focus on 2010.

This season is now all about next season. What guys can the Mets rely on in the future? What are the holes we need plugged? What's it going to take to get Roy Halladay? These are the important questions. No moves need to be made to help this team here and now, but every move should focus on the following year.

I know it's the middle of July, but this organization would be better off letting this season just play out. Sit down with Johan Santana and David Wright and let them know. Apologize to the fans for the mistakes that were made in the offseason and promise us something to look forward to next year. Put Mets Lifers on notice that you know you screwed up and now it's time to improve.

Let's see what we have with Daniel Murphy at first base. Let's have Jon Niese pitch half a season with zero pressure and zero expectations. Let's find out if Nick Evans can become a serviceable every day player.

It's time for the kids to play. It's time to make some changes. It's time to let 2009 go.

For three straight years, either Bryan and I have written a post with this same picture of a white flag. The last two have been in September. This year it's just a little earlier than we thought.