Mets and Padres

What’s up with the New York Mets and the San Diego Padres? They are playing like they are 20 games out and it’s mid-September and can’t wait for the season to end. Are they going to straighten it out? I doubt it. Both teams narrowly missed the playoffs last year when they coughed up leads that seemed insurmountable. These two teams appear to be falling apart this season too, but for different reasons.

The Metropolitans had the biggest meltdown in professional baseball history as they lost a 7 game lead with 17 to play. They went out and traded for the best pitcher in baseball (giving up practically nothing) to give them the stud starter and rotation depth they didn’t have last year. But the Mets are not inspired by Willie Randolph and looked lifeless during the 4-game sweep in Atlanta. Look for Randolph to be unemployed within a month.

The Pads are floundering, but for a different reason. They too should have made the post season in 2007, but failed to seal the deal in the end. So they went out and acquired Randy Wolf and Mark Prior, two injury-riddled pitchers who sometimes perform at a high level. The offense is anemic and the injury bug has bitten a team with little depth. Bud Black will probably see the end of the season on the Pads’ bench, but it is GM Kevin Towers who put the team in this predicament.

So what does all this mean to your fantasy team? Johan Santana and John Maine, Jake Peavy and Chris Young will probably give you decent ratios, but fewer wins in 2008 than expected. Overall offensive numbers will also dip a bit. Also, look for Carlos Delgado (traded to anyone who will take him or released) and Brian Giles (traded to a contender) to finish 2008 in another uni.

I’m not saying you should dump all your Padres and Mets, but you should temper your expectations for the for the remainder of 2008.