After all the ink spilled in the New York papers over Citi Field the past few weeks, my question is: Why? Obviously, it's an expensive, taxpayer-funded (in more ways than one) field in the world's biggest media market, but it's not replacing an icon, as the other new ballpark in town is, doesn't aim to revitalize a neighborhood as many parks built in the past 15 years have (leaving aside the debate about whether stadiums can actually lead urban revitalization), and doesn't come with a critically lauded look, as, say, Camden Yards has. Stories on the financing, higher ticket prices, new look, new corporate-sponsored amenities, and the effect on how the game is played, etc, are certainly warranted, but the Times had about three stories per day in the week leading up to the season. How about some coverage of the Mets?
The players have been overshadowed by their new home, so, from 210 miles away, it's hard to evaluate the team's chances this year. Of course, I'm optimistic. The pitching rotation is far above average: Johan Santana is one of the game's best and Mike Pelfrey, Oliver Perez and John Maine are all better than the typical options in the two through four slots. Perez had a bad spring and worse debut, which prompted my uncle to send a funny e-mail, but I've always liked him. Perhaps I remember his 2006 playoffs performance too fondly. Francisco Rodriguez isn't a great fit -- he vainly refuses to pitch more than an inning an outing, when the Mets need a closer who can get five outs occasionally so they can bypass the rest of the bullpen -- but they signed him at a recession discount.
The lineup is the concern. Beyond Reyes, Wright, Beltran and Delgado, there is little there, particuarly if they decide to play Gary Sheffield over Ryan Church in right field. Signing Sheffield was perhaps the most curious thing management could've done a week before the season started. "Hey, a pouty, mercurial 40-year-old slugger who can't play the field but wants to play the field is available. Should we sign him? I can't think of a reason not to!" Thankfully, Church is 8 for15 in the first four games.
If the Mets don't make the playoffs this year, it raises the serious question of whether the above quartet should be split. Delgado will leave soon because of his age, but trading Reyes, Wright or Beltran would be very difficult. They're all faces of the franchise (two of them easily promoted, very cute faces) and in the midst of expensive long-term contracts. Nonethlees, should the Mets enter their patented mid-August swoon, that would make four years and only one playoff appearance with this talented core, suggesting the team's composition just isn't right. Something to think about through the season.
Really, though, the Mets and Citi should try to turn the fact that the government owns the field into an advantage. Enough with the teasing about "Taxpayer Field" or "Bailout Field." How about collateralized debt obligations bobblehead dolls? Or the Structured Investment Vehicles Concourse and Derivatives Disco Night? I'm just getting started here. Tell Geithner to issue an RFP and he'll get plenty more ideas from me. I won't be able to render judgment on the field until Roger Angell weighs in and I actually see a game there.
Update: My uncle had the funniest idea yet: Renaming the tarp that covers the infield during rain delays "TARP tarp."
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