2008 New York Mets season

2008 New York Mets
Major League affiliations
Location
  • New York (since 1962)
Other information
Owner(s) Fred Wilpon
General manager(s) Omar Minaya
Manager(s) Willie Randolph
Jerry Manuel
Local television SportsNet New York
WPIX (CW 11)
Local radio WFAN
WADO (Spanish)
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The 2008 New York Mets season was the franchise's 47th season. The Mets finished the season with an 89–73 record, second place in the National League East, three games behind the Philadelphia Phillies, and one game worse than the wild card winners, the Milwaukee Brewers. The Mets were eliminated from postseason play on their last day of the regular season by the Florida Marlins for the second straight year.

2008 was the Mets' 45th and final year at Shea Stadium. They moved to Citi Field in 2009.

Offseason

After dropping 12 out of their final 17 games of the 2007 season to lose the National League East to the Philadelphia Phillies on their last day of the regular season, the Mets front office was expected to make big moves in the offseason to give hope for the next season.[1]

Needing to make a decision within five days after the Mets' last game, Tom Glavine declined his $13 million player option. He eventually signed with his former team, the Atlanta Braves, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $8 million on November 18.[2]

On October 31, the Mets took care of two of their own potential free agents. Left fielder Moisés Alou's option year on his contract was picked up for $7.5 million despite Alou only playing in 87 games due to a left quadriceps injury.[1] He did, however, lead the Mets with a .341 batting average and seven outfield assists. Alou also set a franchise record with a 30-game hitting streak after he came off the disabled list. Utility player Damion Easley was re-signed for one year at $950,000. He was on the disabled list two separate times due to a left quadriceps strain on May 11 and a left ankle sprain which ended his season on August 18.[3]

When the free agency period began, the Mets first looked to catcher Yorvit Torrealba to replace 2007 starter Paul Lo Duca. After agreeing to the structure of a three-year contract worth $14.4 million with Torrealba, the Mets suddenly changed their minds on November 17 and retracted the offer, seemingly because of Torrealba's sore shoulder, as the Mets only needed to see the results of Torrealba's physical to officially complete the deal.[4] Lo Duca never appeared to be the first choice for the Mets, so they continued their search for a starter from another team rather than re-sign Lo Duca,[5] who went on to sign with the Nationals.

After the Torrealba deal fell through, the Mets focused on one of their own free agents. On November 18, second baseman Luis Castillo agree to a four-year $25 million contract. The Mets explored the possibility of signing David Eckstein to start at second base, but determined his contract demands were too lofty.[2]

On November 20, the Mets traded relief pitcher Guillermo Mota away to the Milwaukee Brewers for catcher Johnny Estrada. This trade ended up just being a salary dump, as Estrada, who was arbitration-eligible, was not offered a new contract, therefore becoming a free agent.[6] The Mets wanted to be rid of Mota and his $3.2 million salary because he pitched to a 5.72 ERA in 2007 after being suspended for 50 games for steroid use.[7]

In response to the Mets' need for a starting catcher, General Manager Omar Minaya made his first significant trade of the offseason on December 1, acquiring catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church from the Nationals for outfielder Lastings Milledge. Once considered the Mets top prospect, Milledge had fallen out of favor with players and management due to his on- and off-field antics. Minaya made the trade to acquire two players who, in his mind, would be starters for the Mets.[8]

The Mets made a small move on January 5, 2008 to shore up their outfield depth, acquiring Ángel Pagán from the Chicago Cubs for two minor-league players, outfielder Corey Coles and pitcher Ryan Meyers. Pagán was a fourth-round draft pick by the Mets in 1999, and he was sent to the Cubs on January 25, 2006 for cash.[9]

The Mets' biggest trade of the offseason would come on January 29, when they agreed to a trade for two-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins. Minaya agreed to trade outfielder Carlos Gómez and pitchers Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra to the Twins.[10] Three days later, to complete the trade, Santana agreed to a contract extension worth $137.5 million over the course of six years, with an option worth an extra $19.5 million for 2014, which can be triggered by performance. This contract is a record amount for a Major League Baseball pitcher.[11]

Starting pitcher Óliver Pérez's arbitration case was settled on February 22 and scored a win for Pérez, as the Mets found out they would have to pay him $6.5 million for the 2008 season. This gave Pérez a raise of over $4 million and was $1.775 million more than the Mets offered to pay him.[12]

Another player signed during the offseason was relief pitcher Duaner Sánchez. Sánchez missed all of 2007 due to a broken bone in his left shoulder suffered during a taxi accident in 2006, but the Mets hoped he could still return to be an important part of the bullpen, signing him to a one-year deal at $850,000.[13]

Players who made it to the Mets in 2008 after being signed to minor-league contracts include pitcher Tony Armas, Jr.,[14] catcher Robinson Cancel,[13] and utility player Fernando Tatís.[13]

Spring training

The Mets entered spring training with questions about their pitching staff due to injury and age. Duaner Sánchez was still recovering from his shoulder injury, and older starters Pedro Martínez and Orlando Hernández were coming off of seasons when they missed significant time due to injury. Martínez made it to Opening Day healthy, but Sánchez and Hernández opened the regular season on the disabled list.

During spring training, the team suffered several injuries to players that they had pegged to play with the Mets when the season opened on March 31. On March 1, Ryan Church collided with Marlon Anderson while trying to catch a fly ball, leaving Church with a concussion and Anderson with a bruised sternum.[15] Ramón Castro aggravated his right hamstring injury on March 16, ending up with a sprain. It was more severe than first thought, keeping Castro out of play through the beginning of the season.[16][17] Carlos Beltrán and Luis Castillo were late to start playing because they were both still recovering from offseason knee surgery, while Moisés Alou was held out of action because of hernia surgery.[18] Other players suffered minor injuries that held them out of many exhibition games, but they returned before the first game that counted.

John Maine had the strongest spring training performance from the pitching staff, leading all National League pitchers with a 1.53 ERA.[19] Maine went 3–1 over 29⅓ innings, with 33 strikeouts and five walks.[20] Ángel Pagán was a surprising force on offense, batting .329 to win the starting left field competition that was open due to Alou's injury.[21]

Scott Schoeneweis

Coming out of spring training, the Mets set their starting rotation with Johan Santana, Martínez, Maine, Óliver Pérez, and Mike Pelfrey in place of Hernández. The bullpen consisted of Billy Wagner, Aaron Heilman, Pedro Feliciano, Scott Schoeneweis, Matt Wise, and Joe Smith, who beat Brian Stokes for a spot on the roster. Brian Schneider, Carlos Delgado, Castillo, José Reyes, David Wright, Pagán, Beltrán, and Church started in the field.[22]

Anderson, Damion Easley, and Endy Chávez were set as the bench players, joined by Brady Clark and Raul Casanova due to Alou's and Castro's injuries.[23] These decisions caused Rubén Gotay to lose his spot on the roster after playing in 98 games in 2007, so the Mets placed him on waivers, where he was claimed by the Atlanta Braves on March 28.[24]

Regular season

September 27: Fans staying after conclusion of the second-to-last game ever at Shea Stadium (and last Mets win), taking pictures and one last look.

Bullpen problems

The weakest part of the Mets team was their bullpen, which struggled throughout the season.[25] If all the games played by the Mets ended after the 8th inning the team would have won the NL East by 12 games.

Roster changes

Season standings

NL East W L Pct. GB Home Road
Philadelphia Phillies 92 70 0.568 — 48–33 44–37
New York Mets 89 73 0.549 3 48–33 41–40
Florida Marlins 84 77 0.522 7½ 45–36 39–41
Atlanta Braves 72 90 0.444 20 43–38 29–52
Washington Nationals 59 102 0.366 32½ 34–46 25–56

Record vs. opponents

2008 National League Records

Source:
Team ARI ATL CHC CIN COL FLA HOU LAD MIL NYM PHI PIT SD SF STL WSH AL
Arizona – 3–5 2–4 2–4 15–3 2–7 4–2 8–10 2–5 3–3 3–4 4–3 10–8 11–7 3–4 4–2 6–9
Atlanta 5–3 – 0–6 3–3 4–3 10–8 3–3 4–2 3–6 11–7 4–14 2–5 5–1 2–5 2–5 6–12 8–7
Chicago 4–2 6–0 – 8–7 5–1 4–3 8–9 5–2 9–7 4–2 3–4 14–4 5–2 4–3 9–6 3–3 6–9
Cincinnati 4–2 3–3 7–8 – 1–5 6–2 3–12 1–7 10–8 3–4 3–5 6–9 4–3 5–1 5–10 4–3 9–6
Colorado 3–15 3–4 1–5 5–1 – 5–3 3–3 8–10 4–3 3–6 0–5 5–2 9–9 11–7 3–4 4–3 7–8
Florida 7–2 8–10 3–4 2–6 3–5 – 4–2 3–4 5–1 8–10 10–8 3–2 4–2 3–3 2–5 14–3 5–10
Houston 2–4 3–3 9–8 12–3 3–3 2–4 – 4–3 7–8 5–2 3–4 8–8 3–3 7–1 7–8 4–2 7–11
Los Angeles 10–8 2–4 2–5 7–1 10–8 4–3 3–4 – 4–2 3–4 4–4 5–2 11–7 9–9 2–4 3–3 5–10
Milwaukee 5–2 6–3 7–9 8–10 3–4 1–5 8–7 2–4 – 2–4 1–5 14–1 4–3 6–0 10–5 6–2 7–8
New York 3–3 7–11 2–4 4–3 6–3 10–8 2–5 4–3 4–2 – 11–7 4–3 2–5 5–1 4–3 12–6 9–6
Philadelphia 4–3 14–4 4–3 5–3 5–0 8–10 4–3 4–4 5–1 7–11 – 4–2 4–2 3–3 5–4 12–6 4–11
Pittsburgh 3–4 5–2 4–14 9–6 2–5 2–3 8–8 2–5 1–14 3–4 2–4 – 3–4 4–2 10–7 3–4 6–9
San Diego 8–10 1–5 2–5 3–4 9–9 2–4 3–3 7–11 3–4 5–2 2–4 4–3 – 5–13 1–6 5–1 3–15
San Francisco 7–11 5–2 3–4 1–5 7–11 3–3 1–7 9–9 0–6 1–5 3–3 2–4 13–5 – 4–3 7–0 6–12
St. Louis 4–3 5–2 6–9 10–5 4–3 5–2 8–7 4–2 5–10 3–4 4–5 7–10 6–1 3–4 – 5–1 7–8
Washington 2–4 12–6 3–3 3–4 3–4 3–14 2–4 3–3 2–6 6–12 6–12 4–3 1–5 0–7 1–5 – 8–10

Roster

2008 New York Mets
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

 Outfielders

Other batters

 Manager

Coaches

Game log

{| align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" style="border:1px solid #aaa"

|- ! colspan="3" | Legend |- ! style="background:#bfb;"| Mets Win ! style="background:#fbb;"| Mets Loss ! style="background:#bbb;"| Game Postponed |}

2008 Game Log

Player stats

Batting

Player G AB H BA OBP HR RBI R SB
Aguila, ChrisChris Aguila 8 12 2 .167 .286 0 0 0 0
Alou, MoisésMoisés Alou 15 49 17 .347 .389 0 9 4 1
Anderson, MarlonMarlon Anderson 87 138 29 .210 .255 1 10 16 2
Armas, Jr., TonyTony Armas, Jr. 3 3 0 .000 .000 0 0 0 0
Beltrán, CarlosCarlos Beltrán 161 606 172 .284 .376 27 112 116 25
Cancel, RobinsonRobinson Cancel 27 49 12 .245 .288 1 5 5 1
Casanova, RaulRaul Casanova 20 55 15 .273 .344 1 6 5 0
Castillo, LuisLuis Castillo 87 298 73 .245 .355 3 28 46 17
Castro, RamónRamón Castro 52 143 35 .245 .312 7 24 15 0
Chávez, EndyEndy Chávez 133 270 72 .267 .308 1 12 30 6
Church, RyanRyan Church 90 319 88 .276 .346 12 49 54 2
Clark, BradyBrady Clark 7 8 2 .250 .400 0 1 0 1
Delgado, CarlosCarlos Delgado 159 598 162 .271 .353 38 115 96 1
Easley, DamionDamion Easley 113 316 85 .269 .322 6 44 33 0
Evans, NickNick Evans 50 109 28 .257 .303 2 9 18 0
Figueroa, NelsonNelson Figueroa 16 12 1 .083 .214 0 0 0 0
Heilman, AaronAaron Heilman 75 1 0 .000 .000 0 0 0 0
Knight, BrandonBrandon Knight 4 3 0 .000 .000 0 0 0 0
Maine, JohnJohn Maine 26 46 5 .109 .212 0 3 3 0
Martínez, PedroPedro Martínez 20 39 6 .154 .154 0 4 3 0
Martínez, RamónRamón Martínez 7 16 4 .250 .333 0 0 3 0
Molina, GustavoGustavo Molina 2 7 1 .143 .250 0 0 0 0
Murphy, DanielDaniel Murphy 49 131 41 .313 .397 2 17 24 0
Niese, JonJon Niese 3 6 1 .167 .167 0 0 0 0
Nixon, TrotTrot Nixon 11 35 6 .171 .293 1 1 2 1
Núñez, AbrahamAbraham Núñez 2 2 0 .000 .000 0 0 0 0
Pagán, ÁngelÁngel Pagán 31 91 25 .275 .346 0 13 12 4
Pelfrey, MikeMike Pelfrey 30 59 5 .085 .156 0 2 4 0
Pérez, ÓliverÓliver Pérez 32 56 6 .107 .167 0 3 2 1
Phillips, AndyAndy Phillips 4 5 1 .200 .200 0 0 1 0
Reyes, ArgenisArgenis Reyes 49 110 24 .218 .259 1 3 13 2
Reyes, JoséJosé Reyes 159 688 204 .297 .358 16 68 113 56
Santana, JohanJohan Santana 32 78 11 .141 .173 0 1 5 0
Schneider, BrianBrian Schneider 110 335 86 .257 .339 9 38 30 0
Schoeneweis, ScottScott Schoeneweis 71 1 0 .000 .000 0 0 0 0
Smith, JoeJoe Smith 82 1 0 .000 .000 0 0 0 0
Sosa, JorgeJorge Sosa 20 1 0 .000 .500 0 0 0 0
Stokes, BrianBrian Stokes 24 3 2 .667 .667 0 0 0 0
Tatís, FernandoFernando Tatís 92 273 81 .297 .369 11 47 33 3
Vargas, ClaudioClaudio Vargas 10 8 0 .000 .000 0 0 1 0
Wright, DavidDavid Wright 160 626 189 .302 .390 33 124 115 15

Legend: G = games played; AB = at-bats; H = hits; BA = batting average; OBP = on-base percentage; HR = home runs; RBI = runs batted in; R = runs scored; SB = stolen bases; bold = league leader

Pitching

Player G GS IP W L S ERA H SO BB
Ayala, LuisLuis Ayala 19 0 18 1 2 9 5.50 23 14 2
Armas, Jr., TonyTony Armas, Jr. 3 1 8 ⅓ 1 0 0 7.56 11 6 1
Feliciano, PedroPedro Feliciano 86 0 53 ⅓ 3 4 2 4.05 57 50 26
Figueroa, NelsonNelson Figueroa 16 6 45 ⅓ 3 3 0 4.57 48 36 26
Heilman, AaronAaron Heilman 78 0 76 3 8 3 5.21 75 80 46
Knight, BrandonBrandon Knight 4 2 12 1 0 0 5.25 14 10 7
Kunz, EddieEddie Kunz 4 0 2 ⅔ 0 0 0 13.50 5 1 1
Maine, JohnJohn Maine 25 25 140 10 8 0 4.18 122 122 67
Martínez, PedroPedro Martínez 20 20 109 5 6 0 5.61 127 87 44
Muñiz, CarlosCarlos Muñiz 18 0 23 ⅓ 1 1 0 5.40 24 16 7
Niese, JonJon Niese 3 3 14 1 1 0 7.07 20 11 8
Parnell, BobbyBobby Parnell 6 0 5 0 0 0 5.40 3 3 2
Pelfrey, MikeMike Pelfrey 32 32 200 ⅔ 13 11 0 3.72 209 110 64
Pérez, ÓliverÓliver Pérez 34 34 194 10 7 0 4.22 167 180 105
Rincón, RicardoRicardo Rincón 8 0 4 0 0 0 4.50 4 3 1
Sánchez, DuanerDuaner Sánchez 66 0 58 ⅓ 5 1 0 4.32 54 44 23
Santana, JohanJohan Santana 34 34 234 ⅓ 16 7 0 2.53 206 206 53
Schoeneweis, ScottScott Schoeneweis 73 0 56 ⅔ 2 6 1 3.34 55 34 23
Smith, JoeJoe Smith 82 0 63 ⅓ 6 3 0 3.55 51 52 31
Sosa, JorgeJorge Sosa 20 0 21 ⅔ 4 1 0 7.06 30 12 11
Stokes, BrianBrian Stokes 24 1 33 ⅓ 1 0 1 3.51 35 26 8
Vargas, ClaudioClaudio Vargas 11 4 37 3 2 0 4.62 33 20 11
Wagner, BillyBilly Wagner 45 0 47 0 1 27 2.30 32 52 10
Wise, MattMatt Wise 8 0 7 0 1 0 6.43 10 6 3

Legend: G = games pitched; GS = games started; IP = innings pitched; W = wins; L = losses; ERA = earned run average; H = hits allowed; SO = strikeouts; BB = walks; S = saves; bold = league leader

Farm system

Level Team League Manager
AAA New Orleans Zephyrs Pacific Coast League Ken Oberkfell and Marty Scott
AA Binghamton Mets Eastern League Mako Oliveras
A St. Lucie Mets Florida State League Tim Teufel
A Savannah Sand Gnats South Atlantic League Donovan Mitchell
A-Short Season Brooklyn Cyclones New York–Penn League Edgar Alfonzo
Rookie Kingsport Mets Appalachian League Nick Leyva and Pedro López
Rookie GCL Mets Gulf Coast League Juan López

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Mets pick up Alou's option, re-sign Easley". Associated Press. October 31, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  2. 1 2 Rubin, Adam (November 19, 2007). "Mets, Luis Castillo agree; Tom Glavine returns to Atlanta Braves". Daily News. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Mets pick up option on outfielder Moises Alou; Re-sign Damion Easley" (Press release). New York Mets. October 31, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  4. ↑ Shpigel, Ben (November 18, 2007). "Torrealba Out of Mets' Picture". The New York Times. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  5. ↑ Rubin, Adam (November 17, 2007). "Mets' deal with Yorvit Torrealba is dead". Daily News. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  6. ↑ Ladson, Bill (January 29, 2008). "Nationals to sign catcher Estrada". MLB.com. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  7. ↑ Puma, Mike (November 21, 2007). "Mota Motive". New York Post. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  8. ↑ Rubin, Roger (December 1, 2007). "Mets trade Lastings Milledge for Brian Schneider, Ryan Church". Daily News. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  9. ↑ "Mets get Pagan from Cubs, send OF Coles and P Meyers". Associated Press. January 5, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  10. ↑ Nightengale, Bob (January 29, 2008). "Talks start as Mets try to nail down Santana". USA Today. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  11. ↑ Rubin, Roger; Madden, Bill; Rubin, Adam (February 2, 2008). "Mets, Johan Santana agree to record seven-year, $151 million contract". Daily News. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  12. ↑ "Perez wins arbitration with Mets, gets $4 million-plus raise". Associated Press. February 22, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  13. 1 2 3 "Mets secure bullpen help, sign Sanchez to one-year deal". Associated Press. January 7, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  14. ↑ "Mets sign right-handed pitcher Tony Armas Jr." (Press release). New York Mets. February 11, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  15. ↑ Rubin, Adam (March 1, 2008). "Marlon Anderson, Ryan Church collide; Carlos Delgado sent home". Daily News. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  16. ↑ Rubin, Adam (March 17, 2008). "Broken bat makes mess of Carlos Delgado". Daily News. Archived from the original on July 26, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  17. ↑ Rubin, Adam (March 26, 2008). "Raul Casanova ready to catch on". Daily News. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  18. ↑ Hubbuch, Bart (March 12, 2008). "Alou Who?". New York Post. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  19. ↑ Willis, George (April 6, 2008). "Spring In Maine's Step Is Gone". New York Post. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  20. ↑ Bontemps, Tim (April 4, 2008). "Mets, Braves In Maine Event". New York Post. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  21. ↑ Hale, Mark (April 11, 2008). "Pagan Enjoying An Amazin' Start". New York Post. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  22. ↑ Noble, Marty (March 28, 2008). "Mets Opening Day outlook". MLB.com. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  23. ↑ Noble, Marty (March 30, 2008). "Mets finalize Opening Day roster". MLB.com. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  24. ↑ "Braves claim infielder Ruben Gotay off waivers" (Press release). Atlanta Braves. March 28, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  25. ↑ Donovan, John (September 22, 2008). "Daily Windup: Mets and their struggling bullpen limp to finish". SI.com. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
  26. ↑ "Mets name Manuel interim manager". Archived from the original on July 2, 2008. Retrieved July 3, 2008.

References

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Preceded by
2007		 New York Mets seasons
2008 		Succeeded by
2009
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