Bad Luck

One of the things you notice when looking at the history of the franchise that is the New York Metropolitans is that their prospecting and drafting history is littered with disappointments. There was the colossal disappointment of Steve Chilcott, followed by the eventual disappointments that were Doc Gooden and Darryl Strawberry. There was the not-so-ready-for-game-time Gregg Jefferies. Then there was Generation K, with Paul Wilson and Bill Pulsipher having insurmountable injury issues and Isringhausen being dealt for the absolutely dreadful Billy Taylor. And then in recent history, players like the utterly unsuccessful Neal Musser, Grant Roberts, Jason Tyner, Alex Escobar, and, up until last year, Aaron Heilman. The talent of 2004's third overall pick, Philip Humber, has also been called into question, as he struggled in A-Ball before going down with a season-ending injury. Let it be noted that he was drafted by Jim Duquette, who traded for Kris Benson twice in a span of a year and a half.
With this bad luck came the occasional gem, like Tom Seaver, Gooden and Straw during their glory days and now, Jose Reyes and David Wright. According to Baseball America, the Mets also had a top draft pick named Scott Kazmir, who, based on my exhaustive search, is most likely out of baseball.
And now, after Omar Minaya's concerted effort to purge the farm of talented prospects while building on youth (if you can explain that one, drop me an email), the Mets are left with two studs. Lastings "Firstings" Milledge and Mike Pelfrey. To all outside observers, Firstings is a bona fide star. Despite allegations of sexual misconduct, which, according to MLB rules and some laws, does not make a player or General Manager (stevie and isiah, can you hear me?) any cooler, the outfielder has proved to be everything hoped of him. He posted a line of .337/.392/.487 in AA at age 20. The kid can play. But, with obvious depth issues in this system, Firstings would have to be part of any trade to land any of the pieces Omar Minaya salivates over, including Manny Ramirez and Barry Zito.
So, now, it's up to big Mike "Bats in the" Pelfrey to save this franchise. He's got dominant stuff, pristine college numbers and a Major League contract and signing bonus. That means he must be really good, doesn't it? I mean, why would you give the kid all that money if he had any sort of problem? Of course we know that's not how Mets management thinks. Or have you forgotten that Bobby Bonilla's getting paychecks until 2030something?
Hopefully Mike Pelfrey can reverse this curse and be exactly what these Mets need-- maybe it will be sooner than you think.