"So this year, to Jimmy Rollins, we are the team to beat." - Carlos Beltran
"He's just trying to pull a Jimmy, when you can't have a sequel. Sequels are always terrible." - Brett Myers
Sequels can be bad. I mentioned a couple bad ones in today's story about the Phillies' reaction to Beltran's boast. Caddyshack II and Teen Wolf Too immediately came to mind. Terrible, terrible movies.
But some sequels are good.
Aliens.
Empire Strikes Back.
(At least in my opinion.)
The Mets hope to be better than that.
At least this back and forth between the Phillies and Mets makes life more interesting this season. Rivalries make for great drama. If it takes some trash talk to get it started, fine. I like that. And while I know some players shrug off the talk, they can't ignore the energy in the stadiums in Philadelphia and New York, which absolutely feels different than the energy in Atlanta or Florida or Washington or anywhere else for that matter. These games are bigger. They mean more.
Beltran's boast just adds to it.
"Different guys have different ways to pump up their team," Mets third baseman David Wright told Mets reporters. "Personally, I don't feel the need to declare anything, because talk is cheap, especially in February."
"I thought what David Wright said was interesting," centerfielder Shane Victorino said. "Talk is cheap in February."
It might be cheap, but it'll last for the next eight months.
And that's a good thing.
*
The folks at Baseball Prospectus would agree with Beltran: the Mets are the team to beat in the National League East. Its PECOTA projected 2008 standings has the Phillies finishing a distant third in the NL East at 84-78, behind the Mets (96-66) and Braves (86-76).
Baseball Prospectus has nailed the 1-2 spots in the NL East the past two seasons, so the projections can't be completely dismissed. PECOTA simply thinks the Phillies pitching staff is going to continue to struggle. The projected Phillies' rotation looks like this: Cole Hamels (14-8, 3.45 ERA last season), Brett Myers (11-7, 3.83), Kyle Kendrick (11-14, 5.35), Jamie Moyer (8-7, 4.25), and Adam Eaton (7-8, 5.18). Compare that to the projected Mets' rotation: Johan Santana (17-8, 2.94), Pedro Martinez (9-6, 3.37), John Maine (10-9, 4.03), Oliver Perez (9-8, 4.22), and Orlando Hernandez (6-6, 4.08).
But who trusts computers anyway, right?
*
Jim Salisbury talks with J.C. Romero, who was a big reason why the Phillies overcame the Mets last September.
Comments (17)
Santana will be a bust, just like Schmidt and Zito. The Mets buy high and sell low. Thats what an unlimited budget gets you. Its easy to support a team like that. All of their mistakes are washed away by the ocean of money they play with. They should be ashamed that a team with a limited payroll took the division from them. 7 games up, 17 to play. To add to the joke, Randolph didn't get fired.
I just don't get why anyone would support the Met's way of doing business. There is nothing noble or respectable about it. No intelligence or baseball knowledge needed, just buy everything. Something will work itself out. Just hire some monkeys and put a monkey shit bullseye in the cage with FA names on the target. It'll be cheaper than paying a GM.
Posted by Joe | February 18, 2008 8:09 AM
Posted on February 18, 2008 08:09
limited payroll? yeah obviously the phils are a low payroll working class team. I know for a fact that the no player on the phils cares about money at all. Its refreshing, really.
Get over it dude. Im a mets fan. Am I lucky that i root for a team that by and large is willing to spend a large chunk of money? Yeah,no question. But I think id rather root for a team thats willing to overspend than pinch every penny while being awash in cash. Besides it doesnt mean its gonna guarantee victories. See 07 mets,worst team money can buy,and probably a handful of other teams that didnt do squat.
Posted by rob | February 18, 2008 8:23 AM
Posted on February 18, 2008 08:23
Don't write off the Braves just yet. They are probably enjoying this "Phillies/Mets" back and forth. Smoltz-Hudson-Glavine is a solid rotation and Teixeira will have a monster season. Bobby Cox will have several Lefty Pitchers lined-up to face Rollins-Utley-Howard. The Braves always bring up good players from their farm system who are fundamentally sound. Overall, the NL East is a tougher division this year, winning the division won't be easy.
Posted by Case | February 18, 2008 8:23 AM
Posted on February 18, 2008 08:23
Get over what? You being a Mets fan? You can root for any team you want, I'm just supporting my team. You'd rather root for a team awash in cash and I prefer a team that beats that team on a budget.
Its pure Philadelphia. Rocky vs Apollo Creed.
Posted by Joe | February 18, 2008 8:35 AM
Posted on February 18, 2008 08:35
I look forward to a real pennent race this year just like last year. I hate baseball when teams are eliminated from the race by June/July. It would be nice to see a three team race in the NL East all the way to a Phillies Division Title that should carry them all the way to the World Series just like the Rockies, Padres, and D'backs last year.
Posted by dre | February 18, 2008 8:36 AM
Posted on February 18, 2008 08:36
I think April is the key. The Phillies can't have another terrible start. It is extremely unlikely the Mets will repeat their historic collapse and the Braves and better than last year too. An early season lead would definitely make it easier to win the division...
A key pitching injury to the Mets and Braves either. Not that I'm wishing for a torn rotator cuff for Martinez, Santana, Smoltz or Glavine... or am I :-)
Posted by Josh M | February 18, 2008 8:44 AM
Posted on February 18, 2008 08:44
I think it's great that Beltran and the Mets feel they have to talk smack. That says it all. Until proven otherwise, the Phillies are the National League East Champs, and everyone else is chasing them!
Feels good.
Posted by bobby | February 18, 2008 10:07 AM
Posted on February 18, 2008 10:07
Todd, you left out the greatest sequel of all time: Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan.
Rollins, Beltran and anybody else for that matter can spout whatever predictions they want during the offseason. Last season the Phils backed up J-Roll's words; this time I'm hoping they prove Beltran wrong.
As always, the play on the field will decide who's the best.
Posted by Sean | February 18, 2008 10:14 AM
Posted on February 18, 2008 10:14
Beltran is as soft as a pillow! He shouldnt open his mouth. I hope the Mets go down in flames AGAIN!!!!!
Posted by clinton, nj | February 18, 2008 11:29 AM
Posted on February 18, 2008 11:29
The rivalry is heating up. This should lead to many nationally televised games.
Hopefully, the Philadelphia faithful don't embarass themselves and conduct themselves with grace and CLASS...
I know it will be hard but try.
Posted by Truth | February 18, 2008 12:21 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 12:21
Joe, I think you meant Apollo Greed......
Posted by Mark Johnson | February 18, 2008 12:34 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 12:34
You forgot Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo and Jungle 2 Jungle 2
Posted by Anonymous | February 18, 2008 4:57 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 16:57
Clinton nj....how old are you?
Posted by The Wiz | February 18, 2008 5:48 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 17:48
why?
Posted by clinton, nj | February 18, 2008 11:30 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 23:30
It will definitely be a close one between the Mets and Phillies. While I like PECOTA, I have to disagree with their projections. The Phillies will hit either the high-80's in wins again, or will scratch their way into the low-90's.
I don't see the Mets getting any higher than maybe 91 or 92, either.
The Braves will also be in it to the bitter end, but I see 85 or 86 wins as their max.
The Mets' rotation will be worse than it's projected to be, and the Phillies' rotation will be better than it's projected to be.
The NL East will be decided by no more than three games...
Posted by Bill B. | February 19, 2008 1:30 AM
Posted on February 19, 2008 01:30
Because many of you comments seem childish.
Posted by The Wiz | February 19, 2008 3:27 AM
Posted on February 19, 2008 03:27
What does anyone's age have to do with expressing opinion's? I certainly don't think clinton, nj's comment on this topic was childish.
Posted by Norma | February 19, 2008 9:00 PM
Posted on February 19, 2008 21:00