In the largest market in America in a sport without a salary cap, you hate to give up on a season little more than halfway through a year, but the New York Mets would severely hurt themselves in the long-run by making a big trade during this season.
One name mentioned in trade rumors is Roy Halladay. But honestly, while the pitching has been far from superb, it isn't the pressing issue for this team.
The real problem is offense, and the popular name being thrown out is Matt Holliday of the Oakland A's. Sure, a very nice player, but there are two big issues with him:
- In his only season away from the hitter-friendly confinds of Coors Field, Holliday has been pretty average, really. He is hitting .276 with 9 HRs. Still, his 45 RBIs would be a nice upgrade in the Mets lineup, but he isn't worth dishing over the entire farm system for.
- His contract expires at the end of this season. He would essentially be a rent-a-player for this season.
The Mets are done this season, that's what's wrong with that.
The Phillies look to be running away with the division, so the most realistic goal is the wild-card. Unfortunately though, that goal seems pretty unrealistic in itself.
Below are the 8 past NL Wild Card teams with their year-end win totals:
- 2008 Brewers (90 wins)
- 2007 Rockies (90 wins)
- 2006 Dodgers (88 wins)
- 2005 Astros (89 wins)
- 2004 Astros (92 wins)
- 2003 Marlins (91 wins)
- 2002 Giants (95 wins)
- 2001 Cardinals (93 wins)
Let's go optimistic, though. Right now, the San Francisco Giants are on pace to win the NL Wild Card with 89 wins. So let's make that our goal for the point of this argument.
The Mets' current record is 42-47. Again, let's be optimistic and say they close out the Braves today (They're currently leading 2-1 in the botton of the 8th). So that puts their record at 43-47. That means there are 72 games left in the season.
According to our very optimistic goal of 89 wins, the Mets would have to win 46 of their last 72 games. This would be a staggering record of 46-26 and a winning percentage of .639. Right now, the L.A. Dodgers have the best winning percentage in the MLB at .622.
Conclusion: In order for the Mets to make the playoffs, they will have to play better than the Dodgers have been playing up to this point. Did I mention the Dodgers are on pace to win 101 games this season, the highest total in the N.L. in 5 years?
With the Mets lineup the way it is, is there any way on earth that that happens? With Matt Holliday in the lineup, is there any way that happens? With Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado healthy AND with Matt Holliday in the lineup, is there any way that happens?
If the Mets sell their farm system for a bat in the lineup, it would be like the guy going through a midlife crisis who buys a new sportscar. Yeah, his confidence may be a little higher, but it doesn't reverse the fact that his hair is gone.
Mets fans, I hate to break it to you, but you're bald and that sportscar is a lost cause.
