Mets' Alderson cautiously optimistic
New York Mets third baseman David Wright dives to stop a grounder hit by Atlanta Braves' Eric Hinske during the second inning. (Feb. 27, 2011) Credit: AP
MIAMI -- On the eve of Opening Night for the Mets, new general manager Sandy Alderson chose to tread lightly on the topic of spring forecasts. When asked to define a "successful season" for this team, Alderson stayed cool in the baking heat of Sun Life Stadium.
"I could say winning the World Series and anything less would be unsuccessful," Alderson said Thursday. "But somewhere between . . . "
And that's when Alderson paused for a few moments, realizing he should choose his next words very carefully. He added, " . . . where we were last year and winning the World Series."
Fortunately, Alderson was able to sidestep any statements that might haunt him deeper into the season, much like Fred Wilpon's "meaningful games in September" remark in 2004. Those Mets finished 71-91, meaningful enough for fourth place (25 games behind the Braves).
Alderson's jumping-off point is last year's modest 79-win total, but there also are opening handicaps. The Mets already knew they would be without Johan Santana. But the rib-cage injury to Jason Bay was a last-minute twist to their preparation, and manager Terry Collins must hope that this reshuffled roster comes together quickly.
"We're in a situation where we need to build confidence on this club that we can compete, which I do believe it's here," Collins said. "I thought we had a very, very good spring and I know these guys feel they can play with anybody. I just think a lot of times the wins in April sometimes can be ignored and they're very important as wins are in September -- for us to build up some confidence and get our fans back on board."
It starts Friday night against the Marlins, a nemesis who ended the Mets' playoff chances on the final weekends of the 2007 and '08 seasons. With Santana sidelined, Mike Pelfrey gets the first Opening Day start of his career against Florida ace Josh Johnson, a matchup with Pelfrey as a considerable underdog, a role the Mets have been cast in for 2011.
"The people making the predictions and the expectations, most of them don't spend any time in the clubhouse," David Wright said. "The expectations within the clubhouse are pretty high and there's a lot of confidence surrounding a lot of people in this clubhouse, and hopefully that carries over into the regular season."
It will be the first opener in the majors for a handful of Mets. Brad Emaus claimed the second-base job during the last two weeks of spring training. Ike Davis began last year at Triple-A Buffalo but became a fixture at first base after being called up April 19. Josh Thole took over as the Mets' regular catcher during the final two months last year, and now must handle a staff with seven new pitchers.
Even some of the old faces, such as Carlos Beltran, barely made it back for the opener. Just a week earlier, Beltran was iffy to start the season because of slow progress after developing tendinitis in his left knee. There remains the question of how quickly Beltran can adjust to rightfield -- and how often his knees allow him to remain in the lineup. But for now, the Mets are a better team with him, and they're not looking too far ahead from tonight.
"I'm still sore in my legs a little bit," Beltran said, "but that's a soreness that the only way it's going to go away is by playing the field."
