Some "bold" predictions concerning the Mets

Posted on April 1, 2009

Joe Posnanski of SI.com had an article today that contained his "semi-bold" predictions for 2009. Two of the nine very interesting predictions involved Mets players.

6. Carlos Beltran wins the MVP Award.
Another Kansas City pick: I'm an unabashed Carlos Beltran groupie. I have been watching the guy play since he was rookie, and I honestly believe he is the most well-rounded player of this generation: a switch-hitter who gets on base and hits home runs, the best percentage base stealer ever and five-star Gold Glove defense in center field. He is a big star, of course, but I can't help but feel he should be an even bigger star. That's the curse.

Now, I don't think Beltran will be the best player in the National League in 2009. That is always Albert Pujols. And Manny will be Manny. And Beltran's teammate David Wright has put up MVP numbers the last couple of years. But Beltran is the guy who can change the game when you least expect it. I will always remember a game in Kansas City when he battled hard for a walk, stole second, stole third and scored on a short sacrifice fly that barely drifted beyond the infield. After the game, then-Royals general manager Allard Baird gushed: "He can do anything he wants." I think he wants to win the MVP in 2009

Very interesting because you barely hear about Carlos Beltran as the MVP, let alone the Mets MVP. You keep hearing names like David Wright and even Jose Reyes filling in one of those holes. I agree with Joe. Carlos has the potential to be one of the best player this decade in terms of overall skills. Good.

8. Johan Santana throws the Mets' first no-hitter ever.
I will keep sticking with this prediction until it comes true. And it has to come true one of these years. This bit remains one of the most preposterous bits of trivia in sports: The New York Mets -- the team that had Nolan Ryan, Dwight Gooden, Tom Seaver and so on -- have NEVER had a no hitter. It has to happen. And Santana, the best pitcher in baseball, is just the guy to throw it.

Now this is an eye-opener. We all know that Johan has the stuff to throw a no-hitter, and I'm 100% sure he'll get very close to one, maybe even throwing one. We all know the Mets never had anyone throw a no-hitter, and with a pitcher like Johan on the team and a new ballpark, the Mets are due for one.