April Heroes and Goats

The Mets finished April with a 14-12 record, and currently lie one half game behind the Florida Marlins for first place in the NL East.  So, what's the theme for April?  It could have been worse.

Fortunately for the Mets, every other team in the NL East has been inconsistent and/or mediocre.  Even though they looked like the worst team in the history of baseball against the Pirates to close out the month, they are still in it.  But they are going to have to get better if they want to be serious contenders.  Even if they make the playoffs, it's doubtful they could go very far playing the way they are now.

With that said, here are the Heroes and Goats of the month of April:

Goats

Carlos Delgado - Generally speaking, it's too early to give up on a player after one month of the season.  But in light of his performance last year, and his continued decline, it's finally time to declare Delgado's career a wrap.  He can't hit any pitch faster than 85 MPH anymore (his two home runs the other day came off a change and a hanging curve), he can't field his position, and he simply doesn't seem to care anymore.  His performance is draining the Mets and their fans of any positive energy they might have taken into this season.  If he proves me wrong, terrific.  But I don't see how that can happen.

Aaron Heilman - He's shown signs of improvement after a dreadful start.  He still has great stuff, and lots of past success, so he'll probably be fine.  But that 5.51 ERA and 4 home runs allowed sure look ugly.

Jorge Sosa - He's done everything the Mets have asked of him without complaint, but he's getting lit up like San Diego County.  ERA: 7.02.  Somehow he's managed to win three games

Carlos Beltran - After a hot start, he's only hitting .211 with 13 RBI.  It's possible he still hasn't built up enough strength in his legs following knee surgery.

Oliver Perez - The Mets needed him badly in the wake of Pedro Martinez's injury.  But he's been his usual flaky self.  Even in his best games this month, he has not been able to get out of the sixth inning.

Heroes

Billy Wagner - Not only has he saved six games while allowing no earned runs on three hits, but he has been the lone voice of reason in the clubhouse.  He called out his teammates after they sleepwalked through a 13-1 defeat on 4/30.  He specifically criticized Oliver Perez for apparently leaving his brain in the dugout before he went to the mound.  It's time to remove the kid gloves.  Somebody has to light a fire under these Alfred E. Newman Mets.

Ryan Church - The only other guy who shows up every day.  He's batting .319 with 19 RBI.  He plays the game the right way, and that is refreshing in this day and age, especially in Queens.

David Wright - He finished the month on a down note, but centerpiece of the franchise provided more good moments than bad for the Mets in April.

Duaner Sanchez - Kudos to Duaner for coming back after missing a year and a half of baseball and pitching beyond expectation.  He and his 1.17 ERA have gone a long way toward stablilizing the Mets bullpen.

Johan Santana - Despite the annoying habit of giving up one or two solo home runs per game, he has been the rock-like, innings eating ace the Mets expected him to be.  And he's also been one of the Mets most reliable bats, which pretty much sums up the month of April.