Yes We Hope We Can

Combining a catch-word and a slogan of the wildly successful Obama campaign seems to be the approach to addressing concerns about the Mets bullpen this off-season.  An article in today’s New York Times, entitled “That Awful Mets Bullpen May Return Intact”, reveals that–because of contract technicalities and a reliever trade market that has dried up–the Mets fans will likely see the same parade of so-called relievers coming in late in games, trying not to undo the starter’s previous work.

I am sympathetic to the plight that Omar Minaya is in.  I also understand that relievers are a strange breed:  a reliever can do really well one year or with one team, not so well the next or in a diffrent environment.  I also understand the rationale that it can be difficult to assess a reliever’s merits, considering the different ways he might be employed by any one manager and the different scenarios he might come in to.

That said, I find this admission on Minaya’s part dispiriting.  I’m not sure the power of positive thinking is going to get us to the post-season.

I don’t think–after two seasons of watching the late-inning fiascos that have occured at the hands of these characters–that the fans are going to have much patience or understanding either.  Another season of walking off the mound to vociferous boos could not be helpful to Aaron Heilman and his compadres finding their good stuff again (if they have it at all.)

Maybe Omar will work his magic and make K-Rod or some other closer a Met, but the team will still be sorely in need of a set-up guy.

I know that, for all the reasons enumerated in the article, and the monetary consideration, of course, this might be the best we fans can hope for.

Making a change just for change itself is not always the best idea.  “The best trades are the ones you don’t make,” is the quote I often hear.

But, borrowing from Barack again, as this frustrated Mets fan anticipates the 2009 season at Citi Field, I am just asking for some kind of change I can believe in.