Keeping Wright Healthy for 2014 Critical to Mets

'Remarkably durable over his last seven seasons, Wright has averaged 123 games per year since 2011.'

Mets.com's Anthony DiComo writes in his recent take on the projected corner infielders for the Mets.

We need close to a full season from David Wright if the Mets are to become serious contenders for 2014.

Without Wright in the lineup, the Mets offense becomes very weak and not so intimidating. That said Ike Davis, the projected starting first baseman, needs a breakout season in the worst way to provide much-needed protection for Wright.

Wright on the DL, Six-Man Rotation On-Hold, and Wilmer Flores

Listening to Terry Collins' post-game last night, he was obviously distraught. Perhaps feeling guilty that he didn't address David Wright's ailment sooner. Or maybe the real reason for his abrupt comments after the game stemmed from the fact that his 6-man rotation experiment was thwarted once again. When asked, "Who's pitching tom'row?" (meaning Saturday), Collins snapped, "Hefner."

As for Wilmer Flores, he doesn't have an exact position on defense and as one tweeter suggested, the Mets may want to keep his trade value high by leaving him down on the farm where he has excelled offensively. Right now he's a solid prospect, exposing him too soon to the majors where he could falter in a short stint may move teams to write him off as a bonafide big leaguer much quicker.

Are Wright's Current Strike Outs A Concern?

Mets fans are well aware of David Wright's propensity to strike out. Back in 2010, Wright collected a career-high 161 punch outs. For the most part this season, he has been able to keep that aspect of his game in check.

On last night's podcast, I had mentioned that David Wright went 0-for-10 this past weekend with five strikeouts. Furthermore, for the month of July, Wright struck out 27 times in 25 games. Looking back on the previous months of the season, April, May, and June, the Mets third baseman accumulated just 14, 16, and 11 strike outs, respectively, in about the same number of games.

SNY's Keith Hernandez has suggested that Wright's swing involves a little more of an uppercut that what Mets fans are used to seeing. From my standpoint, I've noticed that his plate coverage has diminished. Pitchers have been able to exploit the outside of the plate causing Wright to swing and miss.

Could this be a case of the dog days of summer taking its toll on the Mets slugger or are Mets fans in for more of Wright's strike outs in the coming days?

Just Another Loss That Could've Been Averted

On last night's 4-1 loss to the Giants....

It seems as if the Mets defense falters at inopportune times and I have to say that it's right up there with their shaky BP...last night's lineup w/Turner at third and no DWright, VSpin leading off (keep Tejada in the top spot! stop shuffling around your lineup!)...this is why I'm still not sold on Collins (plus, not sure of inning, VSpin on first no outs, Mets down 2-1, have Tejada bunt him over, instead, let's him hit, DP)

Also, why does Collins choose last night's game to give Wright a day off, the Mets were gaining some momentum with the two wins, plus you have Harvey out there who's still green. I would think it would be beneficial to have your marquee guy in Wright out there...plenty of time to rest in the off-season

Don't Think Chris Young Is the Answer

The Mets lost last night, 6-3, pushing them further and further from a possible post-season berth. However, if Dickey is able to get back on track on Sunday and earn his 14th victory of the season, the Mets can at least be happy with themselves for gaining a split of the four-game series with the D-Backs.

Below is a comment that I left on Mets Today which is in reference to Saturday's 14th loss in 16 games for the Mets.

Don't forget Tejada's web gem nominee in foul territory, when he had to avoid a lounging DWright to make a nice sliding catch...tonight's game was entertaining even though it ended with a loss...I agree with you on Young, maybe it's me, but I'm not getting it, I know he just came off of major shoulder surgery but he looks incomplete out on the mound and why would a ball club continue to send him out there every fifth day in that state, the Mets need wins not reclamation projects...maybe it's Alderson's way of feeling nostalgic, for his time on the West coast, particularly when he was with the Padres organization, help me on this, they release Batista without a care in the world, why not do the same with regards to Chris Young?

Mets Lose, Niese Regresses, I'm Pissed

Even though David Wright's 3-run homer brought the Mets within one run and got them back in the game in the top of the 3rd, Niese's throwing error in the 2nd was the worst play I've seen so far this season by a Met...what the hell was Niese thinking on that play, he should have to pay a fine or something!

that was a terrible decision, it just shows that this Mets team still has a lot of growing pains to overcome by fielding a roster of predominantly young players

thanks, Jon, Harvey pitches a great debut and you go out there and lay a big fat stinking EGG!

Mets Are At Five Hundred And I'm Fine With That

After Saturday's 8-5 loss to the Dodgers, I've decided not to think of the Mets as a playoff contending team. Prior to the All-Star Break, they were a legitimate ball club with a legitimate shot at the post-season. Now, losers of nine out of their last eleven games, I'm unable to move forward as a Mets fan with the notion that they will be contending for a playoff spot. So something has to give - no more playoff talk, trade deadline talk, or second Wild Card talk.

To help keep my sanity, keep me from hurting myself and others, and just allow myself to enjoy a baseball game without anxiety, nausea, or utter despair, I've opted to look only for the bright spots, David Wright's MVP-caliber season, Ruben Tejada's maturation at the plate, RA Dickey's pursuit of a 20-win season, to name a few. From here on out, I will expect nothing more than a season of ups-and-downs, day-in-and-day-out. Will you join me?

Has David Wright Worn Out His Welcome?

With trade talks surrounding the Mets ball club shifting from - will Jose Reyes be traded at the deadline to - how can the Mets swap out some other player to afford Reyes' new contract, with that someone else being David Wright, the question arose in my mind that perhaps Wright's style of play doesn't fit well with what Sandy Alderson has planned for this Mets franchise.

Having Ruben Tejada at second, Justin Turner at third, and Daniel Murphy at first, made me question if a strikeout hitter like Wright with little offensive production would be able to gel with a bunch of scrappy, disciplined hitters who make at the very least, contact.

Something to consider.

A Hit Here Or A Pitch There Who Knows

David Wright had a look of "get me out of here" on his face in the Mets clubhouse after the game last night speaking to reporters. Mimicking his manager, Terry Collins, Wright was sure that a timely hit here or a well-executed pitch there was all that was needed to change the team's losing ways.

Perhaps David's right, no pun intended. If Collins had opted to intentionally walk Troy Tulowitzki in the top of the fifth inning, the reality of another disappointing loss, 6 out of their last 7, may not have materialized. Tulo smacked a 3-run shot off starter Jon Niese that sneaked inside the right field foul pole putting the Rockies up 4-3.

I don't think I have to spell it out for you. The Mets never recovered and in the words of their manager, looked deflated in the dugout.

So Far So Good For Some

With tonight's game postponed due to the bad weather, here are some Mets stats to ponder compliments of Mets.com.

Jose Reyes SS: 10 games, 16/47 (.340), 23 total bases, 2 triples last night, 3 stolen bases, on-base percentage, .354

David Wright 3B: .325 BA with 3 doubles, 2 home runs, 12 strike outs, ouch! .378 OBP

Ike Davis 1B: 13/37 .351 BA with 11 RBI, 3 2B, 4 walks, 8 SO

Chris Young RHP: 2 starts, 1-0 W-L record, 1.46 earned run average, 6 hits, 2 runs, both earned in 12.1 innings pitched, with 12 strike outs

R.A. Dickey RHP: 2 starts, 1-1, 2.45 ERA, 8 K

Pedro Beato RHP: 4 appearances, 6.0 IP, 0.00 ERA

Somethin’ Not Wright with Beltran

Manager Jerry Manuel made his intentions known on August 2nd that Carlos Beltran would be batting exclusively for him in the third spot of the Mets starting lineup from that day forward.

Since that decision was made, the veteran centerfielder has contributed very little offensively by going 3-for-22 registering seven strikeouts. Initially made to protect clean-up hitter David Wright while batting fifth, Beltran struggles have created a trickle-down effect (he is currently batting .195) when stationed within the top third of the Mets lineup.

Having Beltran in the three-hole, David Wright has gone 2-for-19 with seven strikeouts during the same 6-game span. Coincidence? I think not. Perhaps it’s time for Jerry to re-evaluate his decision.

It’s A Perfect Time for the Mets to Start Taking Things Seriously

Now that the Ollie Perez fiasco has been placed up on the shelf, the Mets can start concentrating on more important things like winning baseball games. Since June 1st, the Mets have won seven of nine with their two losses coming against the San Diego Padres.

Aside from their left-fielder, Jason Bay, the Mets’ offense has shown more consistency of late and has managed to drive runners in when in scoring position. In David Wright’s last six games, he has hit 10-for-20. Jose Reyes has followed suit as well by going 8-for-17 in his last four games. Angel Pagan has been a pleasant surprise by hitting safely in seven of his last eleven games. And Jeff Francoeur has raised his average from its lowest point of .212 back on May 17th to a reasonable .266.

However, it’s been the pitching that has seemingly guided this Mets team back on the right track. After undergoing major restructuring, Mets starters have been able to give their teammates at least a fighting chance by producing strong and dependable outings over the previous two weeks.

In the last two nights alone, rookie left-hander Jon Niese and veteran knuckleballer R.A. Dickey have outlasted their counterparts earning themselves two much-deserved victories. In Thursday night’s game, the southpaw pitched a one-hit complete game shutout while the elder Dickey completed seven very strong innings that saw eight Orioles batters go down on strikes. The right-hander upped his record to 4-0 and lowered his earned run average to 2.78.

Looking at the glass half-empty though, the Mets still have not won a series on the road, cross your fingers; the Orioles are not very good. Their ace, Johan Santana, still has not found that much-needed run support, and the bullpen, well, let’s just say, Mets fans could take it or leave it.

If Mets fans were feeling any doubt that the current situation surrounding this team was not on the up-and-up, just refer to their manager. Jerry Manuel was asked if he had anything new to add regarding the return of his Gold Glove centerfield, Carlos Beltran.

“I think if this trip would have maybe come a week later, I think we could have possibly DH’d him,” Manuel said.

Do or Die for David

Is it me, or does David Wright seem to be forming some bad habits these days? It’s no surprise to anyone that his 18 strikeouts-and-counting have guaranteed that he’s right where he left off last year. To his credit, Wright does lead the major leagues in walks with nineteen. Plus, with more protection from Jason Bay hitting behind him in the lineup, the pressures incurred by Wright in 2009 seem non-existent this time around. Nonetheless, he still looks like he is pressing at the plate.

Defensively, Wright has always been considered above average at his position. However, in just 14 games this year, his performance at third base has been up-and-down. Of late, he seems to be falling in love with his backhand. On several occasions this season, Wright has been slow to get in front of the ball, opting to take a backhand swipe at a short hop in the hole. The result, more so than not, has been to the hitters’ favor. Wright currently has two errors this season.

David Wright, Meet Ike Davis

Back in 2004, a then 22-year-old David Wright was promoted to the big leagues after just 114 at-bats in Triple-A. At the time, having such a small sample size, Wright was thrust into the New York scene under enemy fire.

Now, with a little more than two weeks into this season, another twenty-something could be asked to expose himself under the same conditions. Ike Davis, the most talked about Mets prospect since David Wright, has been mentioned as a possibility to be the team’s newest member.

According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, the Mets have designated Mike Jacobs for assignment to make room for a fresh arm in the bullpen, right-hander Tobi Stoner. By week’s end or once the Mets bullpen is fully rested, Rubin and his sources have confirmed that Davis will be brought up to the big leagues as the starting first baseman. And why not, Davis currently has a seven-game hitting streak with Buffalo and is hitting .364 with two homers and four RBIs in 33 at-bats.

With Daniel Murphy’s return from the DL uncertain, I see nothing wrong with bringing Davis up, even though his professional experience is lacking. Looking at the offensive numbers of the other Mets first basemen this season, it’s hard not to give the young left-handed hitting Davis a chance.