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Joel Sherman The future of the Mets is the real story Jun 16, 2003
These days, if you are a Met fan, you should be watching the games and reading the boxscores in a different manner. It is not "what have you done for me lately?" It is "what can you do for me in the future?"
So the more big performances here the better. Burnitz's power surge since coming off the DL and his willingness to at least try center field can make him appealing to clubs desperate for some lefty oomph. Since his April horror, Benitez has been among the majors' best closers. Lloyd has really been good in both short and lengthy relief stints. Weathers is durable and often capable. Leiter has been enigmatic, is signed through next season and has shown no inclination to waive his rights and permit a trade. Alomar has been dreadful, with only his old reputation as a star making him alluring at all. Reyes represents the youngsters already present. Just 20, he has the most tools of any player in the Met organization. In addition, his enthusiasm is a needed entity. Every success and sign of growth, comfort and confidence by Reyes, Jason Phillips, Ty Wigginton, Vance Wilson, Jeremy Griffiths and Jae Seo brings greater meaning to this Met season. It is a much greater meaning now than if the Mets actually win or lose the games. LINE DRIVES  It is interesting that the Yankees followed such a low point, being no-hit by Houston, with a four-game winning streak. But it is just as interesting that as the Yankees were sweeping the Cardinals over the weekend that the Red Sox were sweeping the Astros and staying just a half game behind the Yankees. And the Blue Jays took two of three from the Cubs, and hung two games back.And it is interesting that the Yankees seem to have hit a bullpen formula that Joe Torre is comfortable and confident with finally, Sterling Hitchcock for long innings when the Yankees are close, and Antonio Osuna and Chris Hammond as Mariano Rivera's main set-up men. But just as interesting is that the Red Sox bullpen, so derided most of the season, seems to have straightened out, as well. Boston relief delivered eight shutout innings Sunday to key a 14-inning Red Sox triumph. And the Red Sox seem as likely to land Benitez or Ugueth Urbina as any team.For what it is worth, Jason Giambi is now on pace for a 41-homer, 112-RBI season.When spring training began, you had Jae Seo as the Mets' All-Star representative in your office pool, right? Rick Neuheisel had Seo, for what it is worth.Edgardo Alfonzo is hitting .220 with a .332 slugging percentage. So the Mets haven't done everything wrong.Woody Williams, one of the best control pitchers in the majors, walked six against the Yankees in 5 1-3 innings on Sunday. David Wells has walked four batters in 91 2-3 innings this year.Vance Wilson certainly is doing a lot to convince the baseball world that he is a starting catcher. |
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