Projections: The Met lineup
AP Photo
Now that the first half is officially in the books, let’s take a look at some full season projections for some of the Met regulars:
DAVID WRIGHT:
161 games, 96 R, 189 H, 26 HR, 120 RBI, .314 AVG, .392 OBP
With 14 home runs and 65 RBIs at the break, Wright has proved that last season’s 10 home runs and 72 RBIs were a mere aberration. Wright’s return to All-Star form has coincided with the Mets return to playoff contender.
ROD BARAJAS:
142 games, 61 R, 113 H, 23 HR, 67 RBI, .238 AVG, .276 OBP
Remember when the Mets were close to signing Bengie Molina in the offseason before negotiations fell apart after Molina insisting on adding another year to the deal? At $500,000 Barajas has been a more than sufficient Plan B. The low average and OBP were expected. His production and ability to handle the staff, however, has surpassed expectations. Molina’s projected stats you ask? 142 games, 40 R, 117 H, 6 HR, 36 RBI, .249 AVG, .305 OBP. He is also making $4.5 million this season and was already traded from the Giants to the Rangers. This isn’t suggesting that Barajas is the long-term option, it just shows that sometimes the best deal is the one you don’t make.
IKE DAVIS:
149 games, 85 R, 141 H, 22 HR, 79 RBI, .258 AVG, .377 OBP
It may be inappropriate to say that bringing Davis up from the minors led to the Mets’ turnaround earlier this season, but it sure hasn’t hurt. The rookie has been a tremendous upgrade over Daniel Murphy and brings a similar added excitement of a budding homegrown talent. He also leads the league in the flipping over the dugout fence to make a catch category.
JEFF FRANCOEUR:
160 games, 63 R, 138 H, 15 HR, 78 RBI, .253 AVG, .302 OBP
Frenchy got off to a rare hot start but has cooled considerably, culminating with his .152 average in the month of July. His inconsistent play could alter his projections should he find himself on the bench with Carlos Beltran’s return.
ANGEL PAGAN:
154 games, 89 R, 181 H, 12 HR, 77 RBI, .315 AVG, .372 OBP
The reason Francoeur may find himself on the bench is because of the play of Pagan. With Beltran and Bay in the outfield, that leaves one man the odd man out. Odds are in won’t be Pagan, who is also on pace to steal 37 bases.
JASON BAY:
159 games, 86 R, 153 H, 11 HR, 82 RBI, .265 AVG, .355 OBP
After hitting 20 home runs in the first half last season and 37 overall, Bay has homered in just four of his first 85 games played this season, granted two were multi-homer games. It may be an understatement to say that he has not been the player the Mets thought they were getting. Should Beltran return healthy and Bay regain his stroke from last season it will be like adding two star players at the deadline.
JOSE REYES:
151 games, 102 R, 175 H, 12 HR, 65 RBI, .275 AVG, .317 OBP
Reye’s hot June - in which he hit .314 with five home runs, 11 RBIs, and seven stolen bases - landed him a spot on the All-Star team. Along with the rejuvenation of Wright and the debut of Davis, Reyes return to the lead-off spot has been instrumental in the Mets turnaround. Let’s hope this mysterious right oblique injury doesn’t derail his and the Mets’ second half.
Coming later today: "Projections: The Met pitching staff"
