Why the New York Mets will win the NL East

It pains me to say this, being a die-hard Yankee fan, but it must be said:

The New York Mets are going to be champions of the National League East.

No, I haven't drank or smoked anything funny, and no I wasn't recently dropped on my head. The way the Mets have played recently, being eight games over the .500 mark and .5 games out of first place, has proven to me that these are not the same Mets as last season. After two collapses in a row in 2007 & 2008, the 2009 Mets were a disaster. Injuries left and right, running into bad luck, and scrubs taking the place of super stars. This season however, many analysts, including myself, predicted that the Mets would finish in the cellar of the NL East. The way they've played recently though has made us all look foolish.

The Mets entered this season with low expectations, a questionable rotation, and unknowing when two major components, Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran, would return or if they would return. Reyes came back earlier than expected, but it seemed to have no effect. With a pitching rotation coming undone with poor starts and injuries by John Maine and Oliver Perez it seemed as though the 2010 Mets would just be another repeat of the '09 disaster. However, not all hope was lost, thanks to the emergence of Mike Pelfrey and rookie phenoms first baseman Ike Davis and RHP Jenrry Mejia.

Since the beginning of the season, Pelfrey has proven to be the Mets' best pitcher. Compiling a 9-1 record with a 2.39 ERA to this point of the season, Pelfrey has proven he is the Mets' big game pitcher. After ending 2009 with a 10-12 record and an ERA of 5.03, Pelfrey seeked redemption going into this year. Many wondered if he would even make it as the Mets' fifth starter due to his poor spring training. To this point of the season, Pelfrey has made each who thought this face-palm themselves.

Then there was the emergence of Ike Davis. The Mets' top prospect made his debut on April 19, and provided a spark plug for this Mets' team. The young first baseman is currently batting .253 with 8 home runs while currently adjusting to major league pitching. Many argued that Davis should have opened the season with the club, to which Jerry Manuel agreed after he was called up. All Davis has done since his call-up is provide the Mets with acrobatic plays and a towering walk off home run. You can't help but think that he will be in the Rookie of the Year discussion. But there's more...

Enter Jenrry Mejia. The Mets' top pitching prospect who skipped AAA, and went straight to the pros. Oh, by the way, he's only 20. He's pitched to an eye-popping 3.04 ERA out of the bullpen for the Mets, who figure him to be a starter down the road. With all the youth on this team, the future looks bright for these Mets.

And then there are the afterthoughts who've stepped up: Angel Pagan, Jon Niese, Rod Barajas, and R.A. Dickey. Pagan, who enjoyed a nice season last year, is currently filling in for Carlos Beltran. However, due to recent setbacks, Pagan may be more than just a fill-in. He's hitting a surprising .281 in a full time role with 4 dingers on the year while playing outstanding defense. Jon Niese, who was always a Mets top prospect and on their radar has really stepped it up this season, pitching to a 3-2 record with a 3.61 ERA while battling some hamstring issues. Then there's Rod Barajas, who the Mets signed to a minor league contract in spring training. He's slugging at a .257 mark with 11, yes 11, home runs on the year. Getting that production out of a minor league signing is a steal. But wait, what about R.A. Dickey, a journeyman who was called up on May 19 to make a spot start? The knuckle baller is 4-0, (4-0!!!) with a 2.78 ERA. In his career, Dickey's lowest ERA was 4.62! What's more impressive? He's pitching better than Red Sox pitcher John Lackey, who Met fans begged ownership to sign. Feels good saving money right? His emergence in the Mets rotation has been a good luck charm for the Mets. Not so much afterthoughts anymore.

Perhaps the most amazing part of the 2010 Mets' season: 36.2 scoreless innings pitched. For a team with a questionable rotation coming into 2010, that's pretty darn amazing. It all started when they swept the Phillies from May 25-27 without allowing the Phillies to score in all 3 games. Remember, these are the Phillies we're talking about here, the 2009 NL Champions, and they got shut out by...the Mets?! However, this streak game to an end in the 9th inning against the Brewers when Corey Hart hit a walk off home run to beat the Mets. Then there was the 20 inning game against the St. Louis Cardinals, which the Mets won in the 20th inning. If there's one thing to say about these 2010 Mets, it is that they grind out at-bats, have great starting pitching and have great team chemistry this year.

No matter how good these Mets have been this year, they are far from a perfect team. Jason Bay isn't hitting at all. The power bat that the Mets signed for $66 million in the off season has hit just 4, that's right 4, home runs this year after hitting 36 for the Red Sox last year. One could argue that spacious Citi Field could be playing into effect, but that hasn't stopped Rod Barajas and David Wright from hitting 11 and 12 home runs respectively. Obviously there is something wrong with Bay's swing. Jose Reyes has not been the same Jose Reyes from 2008. Then there is the uncertainty of Francisco Rodriguez. While the season save record holder has pitched to a 2-1 record with a 2.36 ERA and 14 saves, he has made Mets fans all but confident when the 9th inning comes around. This year, we've seen him give up runs in the 9th allowing other teams to either win or tie a game. Most prominently, we've seen K-Rod give up the long ball, 3 to be exact to go along with 12 walks. Not what you want from a closer. There's also John Maine, the owner of a 6.13 ERA and who's suffered various shoulder setbacks this season. He's already been bumped from the rotation, and will probably remain in the bullpen when he returns. Daniel Murphy, who tore his MCL is done for the season. And do I really have to even mention Oliver Perez? He's been just dreadful and the Mets put him on the DL just to get him off the team. Sheesh.

There's been many bright spots for this Mets team this year. Chemisty, youth, and good pitching has put the Mets at a 36-28 record.

But even with all these good signs that have pointed to the Mets success this season, there's still one more component that can make this team even better, and not only NL East champions, but a World Series contender as well...
The Mets will trade for an elite starting pitcher.

Both Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt, two of baseball's elite pitchers, are available in trade for the price of who-can-give-the-best prospects. Don't think for a second that the Mets haven't already touched base with the Mariners and Astros.

With the Yankees' recent World Championship, the Mets had been an afterthought in New York City, acting the role of the forgotten team. You can imagine that acquiring Lee or Oswalt would take the spot light off the World Champs and put it on the team in Queens. With the Phillies sliding and the Mets only .5 games behind the Braves for first place, acquiring either of the pitchers to go along with a rotation that would include Johan Santana and Pelfrey would make for the best rotation in the NL East. Not just the NL East, but probably it'd be the best rotation in the National League. The Mets have reportedly touched base with both teams and have been discussing a deal with both sides. Roy Oswalt recently said that he would accept a trade to the Mets due to their strong play lately and chance to contend. Personally, as I've stated before, I think Oswalt would be the best fit for the Mets. Acquiring either would make the Mets a powerhouse team and a force to be reckoned with.

Whether it's Lee or Oswalt, one thing is for sure:

It will get done, and you can bet on it, no matter the cost.

The Mets are already a good team, and adding Lee/Oswalt would only make them a better team. It'd make the Mets true World Series contenders. Adding Lee/Oswalt to a core that already includes Jose Reyes, David Wright, Johan Santana, Ike Davis and Mike Pelfrey would make for a truly outstanding team with great potential. We've seen the Amazin's like never before this year, but be prepared because it's only going to get better.

Get ready baseball fans, introducing your 2010 NL East champs:

The New York Mets.

This is no fluke, this is a comeback.

That is why the New York Mets will win the NL East in 2010.