New York Mets 2006 Season and Off Season

The New York Mets 2006 season saw them reach the playoffs for the first time since 2000. It also saw them take over the National League East from the Atlanta Braves. Only one thing would have made the season better, a World Series title.

In 2006, the Mets finished the year with a 97 win and 65 lose season. The Mets offense was outstanding. The team batted .264 and scored 864 runs during the regular season. The pitching staff held up its end. The team era was 4.14.

In his second season with the Mets, Carlos Beltran had the season that was expected of him when he signed his contract in the winter of 2004. Beltran hit .275, 41 home runs, 116 runs batted in, and stole 18 bases. It only took him one season to adjust to playing under the spotlight in New York. A lot of players have not been able to handle the pressure of playing in New York. David Wright continued to show that he is one of the best third baseman in the game today. At the age of 23, Wright hit .311, 26 home runs, 116 runs batted in, and stole 20 bases. It was just his second full year in the majors. In his first year as a Met, Carlos Delgado pounded out 38 home runs while driving in 114 runs. The Mets have the best young shortstop in the game in Jose Reyes. At the age of 23, Reyes set highs in runs scored, doubles, home runs, runs batted in, and stolen bases. Reyes hit .300, 30 doubles, 17 triples, 19 home runs, 81 runs batted in, and stole 64 bases. Jose is going to be a good player for a long time to come.

Paul Lo Duca replaced Mike Piazza as catcher. Lo Duca added a consistent bat and good defense to the team. Jose Valentin came off a horrible 2005 season that saw him play in just 56 games and hit only .170. Valentin hit a very respectable .271 with 18 home runs and 62 runs batted in.

The pitching staff was anchored down by Tom Glavine. Glavine went 15 and 7 with an era of 3.82. Orlando Hernandez came over from the Arizona Diamondbacks and started 20 games for the Mets. Hernandez went 9 and 7 with an era of 4.09 for New York. Pedro Martinez had injuries problems starting only 23 games. Pedro went 9 and 8 with an era of 4.48 in 116.2 innings. Steve Trachsel had a high era of 4.97 but added a consistent starter for the whole season. John Maine made 15 starts and was pretty good in those starts.

The bullpen in 2006 saw the addition of flame throwing closer Billy Wagner. Wagner saved 40 games and posted an era of 2.24 in his first year as a Met. Pedro Feliciano had an outstanding season as he finished the season with an era of 2.09 and 7 and 2 record in 64 games. Chad Bradford and Aaron Heilman also had great seasons out of the bullpen.

During the off season the Mets signed outfielder Moises Alou to a one-year deal with an option for a second. They re-signed Jose Valentin, Guillermo Mota, and Orlando Hernandez. They declined the option on Tom Glavine and worked out a new contract with him. The Mets did not add any other big names during the off season.

In 2007 the Mets should be able to repeat and win the National League East again. On paper they have the best team in their division. As the pitchers in the starting rotation continue to age the Mets will have to keep them healthy all year if they hope to repeat.