The New York Mets: Halfway Through 2011

If there's one thing the 2011 New York Mets have done consistently, it's confuse us and entertain us. Truth be told, this team has been as fun to watch as they've been frustrating. At times they've looked like they could break through and make a run, while at other times they look like they don't have enough talent to win a game.

I've complained for the past year about how much less I care about this specific incarnation of the Mets because I know going into the season that they wouldn't make a run and that many of the players I care about are only playing out their times with this team. The truth is, though, that I've had as much fun watching this team as I've had watching any Mets team over the past 10 years, with the exception of 2006.

What this team lacks in talent they make up for in pure guts and determination. If you ignore the high payroll, this team really exemplifies the young, misfit, scrappy teams you see the movies. Guys like Justin Turner and Daniel Murphy have provided more than you could possibly have considered before the year began. Without David Wright, Johan Santana, Ike Davis and Jose Reyes for a decent amount of the season, this team has remained over .500, which many people didn't think was possible even without considering injuries.

But the most infuriating thing about this team is that, as fun as they are to watch and even with the idea of "anything is possible" in sports, we won't get a chance to see this team make a serious run. The Mets are in one of the two toughest divisions in baseball (the other being the AL East). As improbable as this ride has been, the Mets will not make it to the promised land. That's not negativity about the team, because for once I love the way they're playing. But right now the Phillies are untouchable (from our standpoint). The Braves are on pace for around 90 wins, and as fun as the Mets have been to watch it's not fair to think this team can win 90 games. I think this team can peak at about 84 wins, which will not be enough the way the two top NL teams are playing, which is a shame.

This Mets team reminds me a lot of the 2005 squad. They hung around a lot longer than anybody thought possible, and until September they barely hung around, giving everyone hope that they could sneak into the playoffs. That team was also fun to watch, and until the Cameron/Beltran collision they seemed like they could contend. Unfortunately, that team fell short but finished above .500 (83-78) and led the way for the return of the team.

I definitely do not think next year will be another 2006, even though I could dream. But I do love the direction this team has taken. Their attitude displays urgency. They have shown that they care and they will fight for Terry Collins. Collins and Alderson have done a fantastic job of changing the dynamic and atmosphere around this franchise amid terrible circumstances with the Wilpons in their financial problems. With all the problems this team has faced it's amazing how impressive they've been this year.

Maybe if Wright, Reyes, and Santana return healthy and the Mets can secure them all for next year the team can begin to build towards a potential solid team that can use its scrappy attitude to put together an improbable playoff berth. It's so hard to ever get a solid read on this team, but all I hope that the Wilpons do not get in the way of where this team looks to be heading, because the Mets are actually enjoyable, albeit frustrating, again.