Practically all the fans who responded agree that the Mets are having a bad season (and some used colorful adjectives in getting their points across). Among some of the other things they agree on: Bobby Valentine has worn out his welcome; The Mets did not invest wisely this past offseason; And the team can't buy a clutch hit. Here are some edited responses:
Absolutely no clutch hitting
Rey Ordonez' lack of offense is often attacked in the media. His .256 average with runners on, while very poor, still tops those of (Joe) McEwing, (Jay) Payton, (Lenny) Harris, and (Darryl) Hamilton, not to mention (Robin) Ventura and (Edgardo) Alfonzo.
Eli Corin
Anchorage, Alaska
Piazza can't do it alone
I just wanted to say the Mets knew what they had coming to them by not signing a guy to hit behind Mike (Piazza). They had lots of chances and money. What happened to the money they wanted to sign Alex (Rodriguez) and re-sign (Mike) Hampton? I am an angry, die-hard Mets fan and I feel they could of given us a better shot to win!
Ramon
Hoboken N.J.
The future looks dim
I think the Mets are absolutely terrible. Not only did they become the bottom dwellers of the NL East, but the future is not so rosy. One top prospect is waiting in the wings in Alex Escobar, but you cannot expect any other of the farmhands to be stars. The Mets have somehow botched it up this season, mirred in a season-long slump, and now it may look like the Titanic waiting to happen.
Rich Schuman
East Rockaway, N.Y.
Phillips made bad decisions
It is a lot easier to build a winner than to maintain one. You need lots of money like (Steve) Phillips had. He just spent it foolishly. This team is a result of a GM going for it all within 2-3 years. He traded away kids, didn't re-sign key players, and didn't sustain a good minor league with prospects.
Vinny
Hartsdale, N.Y.
Bobby V. must go
Fire Bobby Valentine and the batting coach. Period.
SLC
West Haven, Conn.
Big bats need to come through
The Mets are the biggest disappointment in either league, and surprisingly it's not their pitching ... . The Mets outfield hitting has been even worse than it was last year. The only difference is that last year, they had a healthy Edgardo Alfonzo and a shortstop who could hit over .220. Losing Hampton was not the problem, missing out on (Gary) Sheffield, A-Rod, Manny (Ramirez), Juan-Gon(zalez) and (John) Vander Wal was the nail in the coffin for this year's Metropolitans.
Scott
Short Hills, N.J.
Brights spots few and far between
It is embarassing to be a fan of the Mets this year. The only bright spots this year have been the play of (Rick) Reed, (Todd) Zeile, (Ty) Shinjo, and (Desi) Relaford. The rest of the team stinks right now. There must be some reason they couldn't sign anybody in the offseason. Could it be Bobby V.? Has he finally worn out his welcome? The only hope for this year is to be able to trade a bunch of the non-producers (Trachsel, Kevin Appier, Ordonez, etc.) for some talent for the future. With (Al) Leiter, Piazza, Ventura, and Edgardo all underachieving, there will be no way to save this season.
Rich
Ansley, Neb.
Mets just aren't clutch
It's hard to believe that the Mets simply can't hit in the clutch. What's that all about? Can somebody please explain how the whole team can all suck at the same time? Watching them play is like having a root canal....very painful. It's sad and frustrating to play second fiddle to the damn Yankees every year. I hope they don't rebuild, but somehow reload to make a run next year. It would help if they signed worthwhile free agents and not let last offseason happen again.
Tony Komotar
Tenafly, N.J.
Where did the clutch hitting go?
Last year and the year before, the Mets relied on clutch hitting to lead to wins. The Mets don't have the speed to break up double plays (killing rallies when men or on base) or steal bases. Injuries are a factor, but every team gets injuries. It's tough to see former players doing fine after they were dealt. Alex Ochoa (the last 5-tools player in the Mets farm system) is now hitting .297 and OBA .341. Ochoa also has 12 stolen bases. That's much better than Timo Perez's BA of .253, OBA of .302 and three stolen bases. Melvin Mora doesn't have a great batting average, but he's getting on base with a .360 average.
Bill B.
Metuchen, N.J.
Simply ugly!
They have been god awful. The season has been an absolute disaster from Day 1. Injuries can be the explanation for only so long. It's time to unload some of that high-priced "talent" that has been taking up space on the field. Ship Zeile, Ordonez, and everyone in the outfield except Payton elsewhere. The problem with shipping Ordonez though is, who in their right mind would take him? All National League teams should avoid him like the plague. You're guaranteed two outs at the bottom of the order. Unload salary now, let some of the kids play (they can't be any worse) and sign some big ticket free agents during the offseason. Also, unload Trachsel for a bag of balls and some resin.
Matt Messiaen
Boston
Bonds, Giambi at Shea?
I am hoping we can lure a Chan Ho Park and (Jason) Giambi or (Barry) Bonds to N.Y. in the offseason. If no one else can back up Piazza then its over. Fonzie hit over .300 last year with what 27 HRs, Zeile about 25 HRs, Payton/Agbayani had about 18 HRs each. Those guys are having a poor year. You can't win a game 0-0. The season is about over, I would try to trade off some of the older guys now.
Nick Alberga
Howard Beach, N.Y.
Five steps to recovery
A team that's about five moves away from being contenders. They need to move Piazza to first base (to secure not cutting his career short); send Ordonez on his way; move Relaford to shortstop for the time being; get an outfielder, who could hit a home run; and some starting pitching.
Mike Ryan
Copiague, N.Y.
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