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January 19, 2006
Top 10 Mets Batter Seasons: 1-5
Be sure to check out Top 10 Mets Batter Seasons: 6-10. #5: Gary Carter, C | Season: 1985 | Win Shares: 33| OPS+: 139Season Capsule: Not to spoil the rest of this list, but only one catcher season cracked the top ten Mets offensive seasons and this was it. For all of the big seasons and memorable homeruns that Mike Piazza has delivered for the Mets, Gary Carter’s 1985 campaign marked the highest Win Share total ever for a Mets’ backstop. Unaffenctionately known as “The Kid”, Carter came to New York from the Expos in December of 1984 in a trade for Hubie Brooks, among others. Carter was brought in to help solidify a lineup that already featured the strong offensive players like Darryl Strawberry and Keith Hernandez. The Numbers: The biggest reason Carter is on this list and Piazza is not is the simple fact that Gary Carter played more games per season than Mikey. Win Shares rewards players who produce, but it also rewards players who play. Piazza has never played more than 141 games in a season with the Mets, whereas Carter regularly played in over 140 games and even played as many as 159 games in 1984 with the Expos. He worked his way into 149 games in 1985, including six games at first base and one game in the outfield. Carter smacked a career-high 32 homeruns that year and hit .281/.365/.488. His 33 Win Shares represent approximately eleven of the team’s 98 wins that season, trailing only Pedro Guerrero (35), Tim Raines (36) and Willie McGee (36, MVP). Carter finished 6th in MVP voting in 1985. Other Seasons: 1985 was Carter’s best year with the Mets, but he had several other great seasons, all with the Expos. In 1984 Carter hit .294/.366/.487 with 30 Win Shares. In 1982 he hit .293/.381/.510 with 31 Win Shares, and in 1977 he hit .284/.356/.525 and collected 25 Win Shares. #4: Keith Hernandez, 1B | Season: 1984 | Win Shares: 33 | OPS+: 143Season Capsule: Long before his days as a sitcom actor, a derisive broadcaster and a hair color pitchman, Keith Hernandez was ripping doubles down the line and snagging liners at first base as the Mets’ first baseman in the mid-eighties. Hernandez was one of the greatest all-around ballplayers ever to don a Mets uniform, and 1984 was his best season in New York. He came to the Mets from the Cardinals in 1983 in exchange for RHPs Neil Allen and Rick Ownbey, another brilliant trade by then-GM Frank Cashen. Hernandez had won the MVP of the National League in 1979 (actually he shared it with Willie Stargell) and was still just 28 years old at the time of the trade. The Numbers: Hernandez batted .311/.409/.449 that year, leading the team in batting average and on-base percentage and trailing only Darryl Strawberry’s .467 in slugging percentage. His .409 OBP was good for third in the National League that year and his .859 OPS ranked sixth in the league, a mark that would have placed him 26th in the NL in 2005, just behind Cliff Floyd. He also won his seventh consecutive gold glove award at first base, continuing a streak that would eventually stretch to eleven. Hernandez’ 33 Win Shares represent approximately 11 of the team’s 90 victories, trailing only MVP Ryne Sandberg (38) and Tony Gwynn (35). Hernandez placed a distant second in the MVP voting, garnering just a single first-place vote. As a footnote to 1984, that Mets team went 90-72 despite scoring fewer runs than they allowed (652-676), outperforming their Pythagorean W-L by 12 wins (78-84). Other Seasons: The aforementioned 1979 MVP season was his best by quite a bit, batting .344/.417/.513 but collecting just 29 Win Shares. His 1986 was also very strong, as he batted .310/.413/.446 with 29 Win Shares. In fact, his 1984 and 1986 batting lines are almost identical. He wound up with four more Win Shares in 1984 because the 1986 team had much better pitching, leaving fewer wins to be distributed amongst the batting and fielding. #3: John Olerud, 1B | Season: 1998 | Win Shares: 34 | OPS+: 163Season Capsule: In a year in which the Mets acquired Mike Piazza, it was the previous season’s big acquisition that had the biggest year. I have already spent entire articles extolling the accomplishments of John Olerud. His three-year stint with the Mets was arguably the best three-year span of any player in the history of the franchise, and 1998 was the best of the best. The Mets went 88-74 for the second consecutive season, but 1998 represented another building block in a plan that led the Mets to the NLCS in 1999 and the World Series in 2000. The Numbers: Olerud’s 1998 obviously compares favorably with other historical Mets seasons else it wouldn’t be appearing on this list. His .354/.447/.551 batting line and his AVG and OBP still stand as the best single-season marks in Mets history. His .998 OPS was good for fifth in the National League; it would have ranked third in 2005, behind only Derrek Lee (1.080) and Albert Pujols (1.039). Olerud’s 34 Win Shares represent around 11 of the Mets’ 88 wins, or around 13%. Only MVP winner Sammy Sosa (35), Craig Biggio (35), Barry Bonds (34) and MVP-shaftee Mark McGwire (41!) had better seasons according to Win Shares. He finished 12th in the MVP voting. Other Seasons: Olerud batted .363/.473/.599 in 1993 with the Blue Jays, leading the league in AVG, OBP, OPS, doubles, OPS+, Runs Created and intentional walks, finishing third in the MVP race behind winner Frank Thomas and Paul Molitor. Olerud was terrific with the Mets in both 1997 (.294/.400/.489) and 1999 (.298/.427/.463) and was also quite good in 2001 (.302/.401/.472) and 2002 (.300/.403/.490) with the Mariners. #2: Edgardo Alfonzo, 2B | Season: 2000 | Win Shares: 36 | OPS+: 150Season Capsule: Alfonzo came up through the Mets’ farm system as a shortstop but was moved to second base and then to third base in the early part of his big league career before shifting back to second in 1999 with the arrival of Robin Ventura. In 2000 the Mets went all the way to the World Series on the strength of a very well-rounded team. Their pitching was anchored by the southpaw duo of Mike Hampton and Al Leiter, and the offense was fueled by Mike Piazza and Alfonzo. “Fonzie” was homegrown, he was a budding superstar, and he was the best player on the most successful Mets’ team since 1986. The Numbers: Fonzie batted .324/.425/.542, leading the team in batting average and on-base percentage. He led the team in extra-base hits (67), walks (95) and doubles (40), and trailed only Mike Piazza in slugging, OPS and OPS+. Piazza falls short of this list because he only played 136 games that year. Alfonzo’s 36 Win Shares, representing 12 of the team’s 94 wins, trailed only MVP Jeff Kent’s 37 in the National League. He finished just 15th in the MVP voting, largely because his 25 homeruns didn’t compare well to Bonds’ 49, Piazza’s 38 or even Kent’s 33. Other Seasons: 2000 was far and away Fonzie’s best season, though he batted a healthy .304/.385/.502 in 1999 and, after a miserable 2001, bounced back to hit .309/.391/.459. 2001 would be his last season with the Mets, and arguably his last season as an above-average big league hitter. Back problems (and possibly an older-than-reported birthday) have completely sapped his power and he hasn’t been the same since leaving New York. #1: Howard Johnson, 3B | Season: 1989 | Win Shares: 38 | OPS+: 169Season Capsule: After a so-so year in 1988, the switch-hitting Johnson put it all together in 1989. In a year where mid-eighties Mets staples Keith Hernandez and Gary Carter combined to play in only 125 games and Darryl Strawberry turned in an off-year, “HoJo” was easily the Mets biggest offensive weapon. Johnson came to the Mets from the Tigers on December 7, 1984 in exchange for mediocre RHP Walt Terrell in — yep, you guessed it — another Frank Cashen-led deal. The Numbers: Johnson’s 169 OPS+ is the best full-season mark in the history of the franchise. The 80 extra-base hits (36 HR, 41 2B, 3 3B) are also a team record. HoJo batted .287/.369/.559 in 1989 which is diminutive by comparison to some of today’s marks. At the time it was 69% better than the National League average line of .248/.315/.370. The average NL hitter in 2005 batted .267/.338/.426. Johnson also swiped 41 bases (in 49 attempts) in 1989, good for fourth in the league. He finished fifth in the MVP voting, four spots behind winner and former Met Kevin Mitchell. His 38 Win Shares tied him with Mitchell and trailed only Will Clark (44!) among National Leaguers. Other Seasons: Johnson never came very close to duplicating his 1989 performance, but he was quite good in two other seasons: in 1987 when he hit .265/.364/.504 with 32 SB and in 1991 when he hit .259/.342/.535 with 30 SB. He is easily the best offensive third baseman the Mets have ever had, though I have a feeling he will be passing the baton after a few more seasons by you-know-who. 53 Responses to “Top 10 Mets Batter Seasons: 1-5”Leave a ReplyYou must be logged in to post a comment. |
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Who will have the most win shares for the Mets in 2006. Delgado? Wright? maybe Beltran?
I say David Wright officially takes over the Mets as his team this season. He’s gonna turn it up another notch from last season.
Super T
By “Top 10 batter seasons”, you mean “Top 10 Win Shares seasons”, right? I mean, Piazza’s franchise-record 1.012 2000 OPS would certainly put him in the top 10 by a more general measure.
If I remember right, Win Shares factor in defense. So maybe that’s another reason Piazza’s not showing up here…
WHO CARES. Can we PLEASE bring Fonzie back?
I’m not big on the whole bring-back-the-veteran-to-finish-his-career thing… but comeon, its Fonzie. Its different. Some of those occurrences are ugly or awkward… sure.
But Edgardo Alfonzo was awesome. Consummate professional. Worked the count. I am SO happy tbat this top ten list featured him so prominently. Can you imagine how many times pitchers would have to burn 12+ pitches to get through a 2-3 of Alfonzo and Wright??!?!?!?
Lets bring him back. I know I’m a bad Met fan, but I’d rather see the 2006 Mets with Fonzie at second base than with anyone else anywhere. Lets trade Beltran’s albatross contract. He’d be the perfect #2 hitter too. Get on it, Omar. He can be had for a song.
Seriously, I just got goosebumpy while thinking of Alfonzo and Wright at 2-3. The pitcher would be horribly fatigued for the Beltran-Delgado-Floyd section of the lineup every freakin’ time. I dare anyone who saw the 2000 season to disagree =D
I mean, even when the guy was slumping, he was working deep counts. Even as a Giant (and I watched from time to time) and as a shadow of his former self, he knew how to get an 0-2 count to 3-2 and then slap the ball somewhere or take a walk. It would almost be cruel to whoever is on the mound.
JRRM, I’d love to see Fonzie too (and our current 2B options could almost justify it), but those .334, .350, .327 OBPs the last 3 years tell me it wouldn’t be the guy we remember. Plus, he’s not the world’s most limber 32-year-old and hasn’t played 2B since 2001.
I’m just hoping he wins a starting job with the Angels and can get a chance at a ring with them.
I’d absolutely love my second baseman to have a .350 OBP and strike out less than once per ten at bats… not to mention have a BB-K ratio greater than 1. No reason not to do it. Send them Woodward or something. Uh… or Zambrano. Send Matsui and eat the money.
Here’s the Mets Top 10 Pitchers in ERA+:
1. 1985 Dwight Gooden - 226
4. 1998 Al Leiter - 170
6. 1969 Jerry Koosman - 161
7. 1994 Bret Saberhagen - 152
8. 1974 Jon Matlack - 149
9. 2005 Pedro Martinez - 148
And, of course, all the other spots on the list are filled by one guy:
2. 1971 Tom Seaver - 193
3. 1973 Tom Seaver - 175
5. 1969 Tom Seaver - 166
10. 1969 Tom Seaver - 145
Interestingly enough, the career Mets’ ERA+ leader list reads:
1. Tom Seaver
2. Jesse Orosco
3. John Franco
4. Bret Saberhagen
5. Al Leiter
6. Dwight Gooden
7. Jon Matlack
8. Rick Reed
9. Jerry Koosman
10. Tug McGraw
So let that be a lesson to all you Leiter- and Franco-bashers.
Alright Argon, lesson taken; I think my bitterness toward them is from there last lingering years , it seemed to drag; but I’ll take it as a lesson learned. Valuable reminder they were awesome for a while before they turned into hens squaking in Wilpon’s ear.
JRRM, they could’ve done Matsui for Fonz in SF but chose not to. I guess they figured w his back he’d be more of a spectator than player. That’d have been funny though, trading one guy who wouldn’t dive or backhand a ball for a guy who couldn’t layout or backhand a ball….
Off-topic, but here’s something I was sad to see. From an article on the Mets site:
“Opponents . . . were more apt to run when Piazza caught than when Castro was behind the plate.
“Then again, with Lo Duca catching, the Marlins’ opponents attempted more stolen bases per nine innings than Mets opponents attempted with Piazza catching.”
*sigh*
yeah it’s an unhearlded weakness of LoDuca’s - he’s TERRIBLE at throwing out baserunners (i think his % was basically equal to Piazza)
I can’t believe that Doug Flynn didn’t make the top ten list.
Must be an oversite…
Nah.
2005 Piazza - 13 for 95 (13.7%)
2005 LoDuca - 29 for 118 (24.6%)
(Not sure if these include pitcher pick-offs or not.)
Sorry, but 11 of 88 is 1/8, or 12.5% of the total.
Wait why didnt Piazza at least make the top 10
I’ve heard some people say the Marlin’s pitchers contributed to LoDuca’s poor numbers. He should do a little better here…at the least it won’t be a feeding frenzy on the bases.
Whoops! I have updated the stats.
Unrelated post but I thought it was interesting
Just saw Tom Glavine on local tv out of Atlanta talking about a charity event he holds at turner field. The last five minutes of the interview he talked about baseball and retirement. He says he still plays because he loves the game, loves his teammates and would like another championship. Talked about getting to 300 and the hall of fame. Talked about helping the Mets win a championship and how it would be the icing on the cake to his career. Feels he has 3 more years in his arm. Talked about how he considers Chipper, John Smoltz and andruw Jones some of his best friends for life. Wants to coach hockey when he retires.
WOW Loduca threw out 10% more baserunners! we’re in for a lot of the same this year, let’s just hope Brooklyn born LoDuca can reach second w/o the piazza two-bounce toss
Fonzie was the man. no doubt. I love him. but once those backs go….it’s ovah. It’d be too painful to see him at shea performing as a shell of himself. I love him as a ballplayer, but I hope he makes his money elsewhere, so I can have fond memories.
I just dont get it. What is this obsession with throwing baserunners out that determines whether a catcher is good defensively. All I care about is how they call a game and if they block pitches in the dirt. Throwing baserunners out is a bonus. Mike Piazza called a good game and what I’ve seen from Lo Duca is he calls a good game. I will take a catcher who is in sync with my pitchers over a catcher who just throws real nice. By the way, Lo Duca’s problems throwing out baserunners has nothing to do with quickness or throwing strength, he’s throws seem to sail on him.
his not he’s
Isn’t that worse, if his throws do sail? I didn’t mind Mike’s rag arm, because his offense and other defensive skills more than made up for it, but I hated more than anything when he had no shot of making the play, threw anyway, and it sailed into center field allowing the runner to take 3rd.
Not preventing the steal is bad, but allowing an extra base is completely unacceptable.
Edgardo was easily one of my favorite Mets too, but I have seen him ALOT since he’s been with the Giants and believe me, you would NOT want him clogging up the two spot.(except last year, when we probably had the worst batting 2-hole in all of baseball) He doesn’t work the count like he used to because he has NO power and pitchers don’t fear him. If he’s seeing pitches it’s because he’s merely fouling them off while trying to hang on. Bad backs are a bitch I tell you…
Easy to forget how good HOJO really was for a few seasons, and how little respect he got around the league as they seemed to grab his bat to check for ‘corking’ everytime the guy hit one out. Wonder if he had any flaxseed oil in his locker…
I just dont get it. What is this obsession with throwing baserunners out that determines whether a catcher is good defensively.
You are correct. However, Piazza was pretty good at blocking balls, calling a game, and doing the other things that catchers do. He couldn’t throw out baserunners. Other than that, he was good. So all things being equal and if LoDuca can do the other things just as well as Piazza like blocking, calling games, etc. (I have no idea if he does, he may be worse or better, I really have not seen him play besides against the Mets), they are essentially the same catcher. LoDuca is more durable, will play more games, and throw out guys at a better clip, but still bad at throwing people out. Despite throwing out more guys though, guys run on him more. They have run on him more than any other major league in the last three or four years including Piazza. If you weren’t upgrading with some offensive juggernaut at the catching spot, they should have aimed higher for defense. Simply said, LoDuca will need to come out in close and late situations because people are always a threat to steal and they will steal. For me, that’s not ideal and why he is not good for this team. I just don’t see his intangibles being enough to justify getting him and not going with Castro with presented with the choice between the two. I’m not a fan of his at this point. Hopefully he changes my mind. I would have rather seen his money pumped back into starting pitching or getting a big name reliever to add into the pen.
Indeed, and his positive influence on the Mets continues. It’ll be cool, hopefully, this spring while Acta is managing the DR if Hojo coaches 3rd for the Mets to see him on the field for the Mets again by the 3rd base bag. How many 30/30 season did he have in all?
I like this essay alot although the mentioning of MVP voting I think does nothing for me, personally. MVP voting is like saying someone was prom king, its a popularity contest at best, imho.
That was 1984. Great article, it is fun reliving some of the past memories!
I am not so sure it it fair to use WS to judge the top ten “batter’s” seasons b/c (correct me if I am wrong) WS take into account defense. Your list is “batters” not “all around players.”
I mean, to say that Piazza’s 1999 and 2000 seasons are not among the best offensive seasons for a Mets hitter is really somewhat unfair. Granted, he had a smaller impact in terms of games played, but he had a MUCH, MUCH bigger impact in the games he was in. I mean, reflect on these numbers:
2000 - .324/.398/.614 - a .614 slugging!! - an OPS of 1.012 and an OPS+ of 159.
Piazza’s runs created in 2000 were 117 (112 in 1999). To compare this (which I think is one of the best pure offensive measures) with some of your “top seasons” is telling:
Olerud 1998 - 138 runs created (that is unreal!)
Fonzie 2000 - 125 runs created
Hojo 1989 - 119 runs created
Carter 1985 - 98 runs created
I was too lazy to look up RCAA to see how each of these guys did compared to the average hitter from their respective positions. I would imagine that doing that would launch Piazza and Carter to the top of the list.
For the record - Piazz’s 2000 slugging % is 31 points higher than the next (Straw - 1987) highest Met. He also is #3 and 4 on the top slugging seasons list.
For those interested in a list devoid of fielding content, the top Mets seasons according to RCAA instead of Win Shares:
1. Olerud, 1998, 69
2. HoJo, 1989, 63
3. Strawberry, 1987, 59
4. Fonzie, 2000, 55
5. Strawberry, 1988, 53
6. Gilkey, 1996, 51
7. Piazza, 2000, 47
8. Piazza, 1998, 46
9. Cleon, 1969, 45
10. McReynolds, 1988, Hernandez, 1986, Mazzilli, 1979, 42
Comparing by postion (RCAP) the list changes a little:
1. HoJo, 1989, 61
2. Fonzie, 2000, 56
3. Olerud, 1998, 55
4. Piazza, 2000, 53
4. Piazza, 1998, 53
6. Straw, 1988, 49
6. Straw, 1987, 49
6. Piazza, 2001, 49
9. Mazzilli, 1979, 43
10. Hundley, 1996, Fonzie, 1999, Gilkey, 1996, Carter 1985, 40
Nice list Alex,
I guess that puts to bed any argument I might have had that Piazza’s 2000 or 1999 belonged at the top! I always new HoJo had some good years, but I never realized just HOW GOOD he was in 1989!
does anyone know if fonzies contract is up next season. I would love to have him here and would definetly send a matsui or zambrano but thats gonna happen and he probably is done with his career.maybe nextyear he will come and coach. I htink he would make a great hitting coach in norfolk and evenually on the team
Enough with “Bring Back Fonzie”. I loved the guy, but seriously, his back is gone. The problem we had a 2nd (among other things) was a lack of range (which is only increased with Delgado at first). So how would brining in Fonzie help? Besides, we all know that Beltran should bat 2nd, if only Willie would stop trying to make him a 3rd spot hitter. Now bringing Fonzie back as a coach might have its merits, should he be interested. He can work with his brother.
has anyone seen my hat
Alex, thanks for posting this list. I have read this blog with great intrest and really enjoyed it. I think your list adds a lot to the discussion. I am a huge fan of Bill James, but I just can’t see how his WS lists can leave off every Piazza season. Sometimes you have to trust your eyes, having seen in person about 30 games per year from 1985 to 2000, I KNOW that Piazza had to have had some of the most valuable offensive seasons by any Met. I also know that despite the caught stealings that hurt Straw, he was a more valuable offensive player in 1988 than McReynolds. Nice to see Hundley’s 1996 season recognized as well. Any idea where Agee’s 1970 season rates? For a few years, he was a great one. What about Ashburn or Frank Thomas from 1962?
Now if only we can end the “bring back Fonzie” comments. Face it, he is done. Give the 2B job to the guy at triple A.
Neither one is close. Agee’s only created 10 runs above the average player in 1970 and only 2 above the average centerfielder. He was actually better in 1969 due to depressed offense (21 RCAA).
Frank Thomas was actually an average right fielder despite his homers in 1962, and Richie Ashburn was very good (17 RCAA) but ultimately wasn’t good enough and didn’t get enough playing time (only 389 AB).
As for why Piazza seems undervalued, consider the following things: catchers play less than the average player, and Win Shares are very dependent on playing time. I think if you used something that compared the Win Shares Piazza compiled and compared it to an expected replacement level (like THT’s WSAB), he’d jump closer to the top of the list. Unfortunately that data ain’t really easily available.
Alex,
Thanks for the response. I think I was actually thinking of Agee’s 1969 season anyway (the one w/ 26Hrs). Pretty good season for CF’ers. Mays, Wynn, Tolan, Flood, and Agee.
WHAT?!?!?!?! Ed and Stephen, shame on you. Bringing back Alfonzo would be a great idea.
I can’t really attest to Alfonzo’s defensive prowess anymore, but I think it would be a low-rish, high-reward proposition if we were to pursue it. Of course, we never would. But if Matsui falls through and we don’t think either of the kids are ready for the Show, why not?
We can acquire him for basically nothing. He’s a great former Met. He gets on base. All I have access to is Range Factor (cuz I’m lazy) but he’s had an above average RF each of the last three years at third base. If he could bounce back, post a .350 OBP, and challenge some pitchers, why wouldn’t you like it?
I respectfully agree w you, just not for this year. Give him 3 years and I think he’ll be a great guy for the Mets to add. After all, just look at last year’s numbers:
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Edgar%20Alfonzo&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=449061
Alfonzo in 08 or 09!!
Fire Willie, I hope that was sarcasm the guy was talking about Edgardo Alfonzo, not Edgar that you mentioned. Though I do agree with you that in 08 or 09 that his nephew would be very good. (I think it is his nephew)
Hey Brian, its interseting to see you rant about Alfonzo; it gives me perspective on when I rant about Willie, although I think some people would agree more w my position than bringing another DH to Shea. (I mean that respectfully of course; perspective is a good thing.) It does seem like (bc tone is impossible to read sometimes) that you are joking though, right? Or are you being for real? If you were for real it seems like a joke, if you were joking, you can let it go, it wasn’t funny to begin with, with all due respect, of course.
It is his nephew. I thought he was joking too, I knew heant the old man, but he’s kidding too.
86, I’d have to be pretty stupid to think he was talking about promoting a lefty that hasn’t been higher than Hagerstown, no? Goes to show how hard it is, if you were unsure, how to translate sarcasm online, not even sarcasm, good natured pun if that.
From my readings I thought the guy was serious, I knew you wwere throwing out sarcasm there, I figured I would let you know he was being serious, this guy is a big Alfonzo fan, so I am pretty sure he really means it.
Thats cool, I guess. I recall the Mets got Floyd w the same money Alfonzo was wanting. I couldn’t believe SF gave him that money. We all love the guy, but bring him back? I thought that was an exaggeration in attempt for a cheap laugh. My bad…
Some people are obviously making the “bring back Fonzie” argument seriously:
Doesn’t sound so bad put that way.
Of course, Range Factor is a worthless stat, 3B is not 2B, bouncing back at age 32 is unlikely, and a guy who watched Edgardo in San Fran says he doesn’t battle pitchers that well anymore…
I really enjoy this top ten batter seasons. Its fun to look at and see/debate who did and didn’t make the list. But maybe its time to open a new blog, a Bring Back Your Favorite Met list.
We could start with Olerud or Tony Clark to back up Delgado, Fonzie as a back up infielder, Teddy Martinez at SS, and who else? Is Mike Hampton available?
Magadan and Mitchell > Franco and Valentin.
I guess the unbridled enthusiasm that I was showing for the topic was sarcastic.. but no, I don’t think that bringing back Alfonzo would be the worst move we’ve made this offseason. I mean let’s remember, this guy is younger than Cliff Floyd, who bounced back in a big way last year.
He’s not the answer at second base, they also WONT bring him back, so this has all been an exercise in futility. I know. He’s a shell of his former self, I also know that. But even as this reduced player, he’s still making a positive contribution, and he still would have been an upgrade over what we’ve had at second base from 2003-2005.
I think he’s got one good season left in him somewhere. It might not be 2006, and it definitely won’t be with the Mets, but I doubt he’s done. He’ll help someone win.
Good article. Though I agree the headline should read “Top 10 Win Share…” or something because there’s no way Piazza should be off this list. The guy owns the top 4 out of 5 single season slugging percentages of Mets all time. It’s too bad Win Share doesn’t take into account the reality that catchers need to rest every now and then.
It’s also interesting to me that RBI has become such a dormant stat, not one of these Top 10 Win Share batters is in the top 10 single season RBI for the Mets.
I love Fonzie for what he was when he was here. Personally I don’t see any reason to bring the guy back now or in the future.
For all you Fonzie fanatics, as much as I loved Fonzie - he was one of the few players the Mets had at the right time and gave up at the right time. Met history is filled with players we gave uo too early (Dykstra, Mitchell, Kent), had too late (Alomar, Vaughn, Saberhagen, Hershisher) or had too long (Franco).
What the #$%^& ??
Mets trade Benson to the O’s for Julio & Maine.
Super T
Damn! Omar just can’t leave well enough alone. This trade sucks! Adding mopup players to the bullpen for the teams #3 SP. He must have really been down on Benson.
Super T