2008 New York Mets season

MLB yearly infobox
name = New York Mets
season = 2008
misc =

current league = National League
y1 = 1962
division = Eastern Division
y2 = 1969
Uniform
ballpark = Shea Stadium
y4 = 1964
city = New York, New York
y5 = 1962
owners = Fred Wilpon
managers = Willie Randolph and Jerry Manuel
television = SportsNet New York
WPIX (CW 11)
radio = WFAN
WADO (Spanish)

The 2008 New York Mets season was the franchise's 47th season. The Mets finished the season with an 89–73 record, second place in the National League East, three games behind the Philadelphia Phillies, and one game worse than the wild card winners, the Milwaukee Brewers. The Mets were eliminated from postseason play on their last day of the regular season for the second straight year.

2008 was the Mets' 45th and final year at Shea Stadium. They will move to Citi Field in 2009, which is being completed behind Shea Stadium.

Offseason

After dropping 12 out of their final 17 games of the 2007 season to lose the National League East to the Philadelphia Phillies on their last day of the regular season, the Mets front office was expected to make big moves in the offseason to give hope for the next season.cite news| url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3088805 | title=Mets pick up Alou's option, re-sign Easley | publisher=Associated Press | date=2007-10-31 | accessdate=2008-07-11]

Needing to make a decision within five days after the Mets' last game, Tom Glavine declined his $13 million player option. He eventually signed with his former team, the Atlanta Braves, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $8 million on November 18.cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2007/11/19/2007-11-19_mets_luis_castillo_agree_tom_glavine_ret.html | title=Mets, Luis Castillo agree; Tom Glavine returns to Atlanta Braves | publisher="Daily News" | last=Rubin | first=Adam | date=2007-11-19 | accessdate=2008-07-11]

On October 31, the Mets took care of two of their own potential free agents. Left fielder Moisés Alou's option year on his contract was picked up for $7.5 million despite Alou only playing in 87 games due to a left quadriceps injury. He did, however, lead the Mets with a .341 batting average and seven outfield assists. Alou also set a franchise record with a 30-game hitting streak after he came off the disabled list. Utility player Damion Easley was re-signed for one year at $950,000. He was on the disabled list two separate times due to a left quadriceps strain on May 11 and a left ankle sprain which ended his season on August 18. [cite press release| url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071031&content_id=2289744 | title=Mets pick up option on outfielder Moises Alou; Re-sign Damion Easley | publisher=New York Mets | date=2007-10-31 | accessdate=2008-07-11]

When the free agency period began, the Mets first looked to catcher Yorvit Torrealba to replace 2007 starter Paul Lo Duca. After agreeing to the structure of a three-year contract worth $14.4 million with Torrealba, the Mets suddenly changed their minds on November 17 and retracted the offer, seemingly because of Torrealba's sore shoulder, as the Mets only needed to see the results of Torrealba's physical to officially complete the deal. [cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/sports/baseball/18mets.html?ex=1353042000&en=5262aabf994c0484&ei=5088 | title=Torrealba Out of Mets’ Picture | publisher="The New York Times" | last=Shpigel | first=Ben | date=2007-11-18 | accessdate=2008-07-11] Lo Duca never appeared to be the first choice for the Mets, so they continued their search for a starter from another team rather than re-sign Lo Duca, [cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2007/11/17/2007-11-17_mets_deal_with_yorvit_torrealba_is_dead.html | title=Mets' deal with Yorvit Torrealba is dead | publisher="Daily News" | last=Rubin | first=Adam | date=2007-11-17 | accessdate=2008-07-11] who went on to sign with the Nationals.

After the Torrealba deal fell through, the Mets focused on one of their own free agents. On November 18, second baseman Luis Castillo agree to a four-year $25 million contract. The Mets explored the possibility of signing David Eckstein to start at second base, but determined his contract demands were too lofty.

On November 20, the Mets traded relief pitcher Guillermo Mota away to the Milwaukee Brewers for catcher Johnny Estrada. This trade ended up just being a salary dump, as Estrada, who was arbitration-eligible, was not offered a new contract, therefore becoming a free agent. [cite news| url=http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080129&content_id=2358547 | title=Nationals to sign catcher Estrada | publisher=MLB.com | last=Ladson | first=Bill | date=2008-01-29 | accessdate=2008-07-11] The Mets wanted to be rid of Mota and his $3.2 million salary because he pitched to a 5.72 ERA in 2007 after being suspended for 50 games for steroid use. [cite news| url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/11212007/sports/mets/mota_motive_134133.htm | title=Mota Motive | publisher="New York Post" | last=Puma | first=Mike | date=2007-11-21 | accessdate=2008-07-11]

In response to the Mets' need for a starting catcher, General Manager Omar Minaya made his first significant trade of the offseason on December 1, acquiring catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church from the Nationals for outfielder Lastings Milledge. Once considered the Mets top prospect, Milledge had fallen out of favor with players and management due to his on- and off-field antics. Minaya made the trade to acquire two players who, in his mind, would be starters for the Mets. [cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2007/12/01/2007-12-01_mets_trade_lastings_milledge_for_brian_s.html | title=Mets trade Lastings Milledge for Brian Schneider, Ryan Church | publisher="Daily News" | last=Rubin | first=Roger | date=2007-12-01 | accessdate=2008-07-11]

The Mets made a small move on January 5, 2008 to shore up their outfield depth, acquiring Angel Pagán from the Chicago Cubs for two minor-league players, outfielder Corey Coles and pitcher Ryan Meyers. Pagán was a fourth-round draft pick by the Mets in 1999, and he was sent to the Cubs on January 25, 2006 for cash. [cite news| url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3182603 | title=Mets get Pagan from Cubs, send OF Coles and P Meyers | publisher=Associated Press | date=2008-01-05 | accessdate=2008-07-14]

The Mets' biggest trade of the offseason would come on January 29, when they agreed to a trade for two-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins. Minaya agreed to trade outfielder Carlos Gómez and pitchers Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra to the Twins. [cite news| url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2008-01-29-twins-mets-santana_N.htm | title=Talks start as Mets try to nail down Santana | publisher="USA Today" | last=Nightengale | first=Bob | date=2008-01-29 | accessdate=2008-07-11] Three days later, to complete the trade, Santana agreed to a contract extension worth $137.5 million over the course of six years, with an option worth an extra $19.5 million for 2014, which can be triggered by performance. This contract is a record amount for a Major League Baseball pitcher. [cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2008/02/02/2008-02-02_mets_johan_santana_agree_to_record_seven.html | title=Mets, Johan Santana agree to record seven-year, $151 million contract | publisher="Daily News" | last=Rubin | first=Roger | coauthors=Madden, Bill; Rubin, Adam | date=2008-02-02 | accessdate=2008-07-11]

Starting pitcher Óliver Pérez's arbitration case was settled on February 22 and scored a win for Pérez, as the Mets found out they would have to pay him $6.5 million for the 2008 season. This gave Pérez a raise of over $4 million and was $1.775 million more than the Mets offered to pay him. [cite news| url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3258756 | title=Perez wins arbitration with Mets, gets $4 million-plus raise | publisher=Associated Press | date=2008-02-22 | accessdate=2008-07-11]

Another player signed during the offseason was relief pitcher Duaner Sánchez. Sánchez missed all of 2007 due to a broken bone in his left shoulder suffered during a taxi accident in 2006, but the Mets hoped he could still return to be an important part of the bullpen, signing him to a one-year deal at $850,000.cite news| url=http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10563493 | title=Mets secure bullpen help, sign Sanchez to one-year deal | publisher=Associated Press | date=2008-01-07 | accessdate=2008-07-11]

Players who made it to the Mets in 2008 after being signed to minor-league contracts include pitcher Tony Armas, Jr., [cite press release| url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080211&content_id=2370877 | title=Mets sign right-handed pitcher Tony Armas Jr. | publisher=New York Mets | date=2008-02-11 | accessdate=2008-07-11] catcher Robinson Cancel, and utility player Fernando Tatis.

pring training

The Mets entered spring training with questions about their pitching staff due to injury and age. Duaner Sánchez was still recovering from his shoulder injury, and older starters Pedro Martínez and Orlando Hernández were coming off of seasons when they missed significant time due to injury. Martínez made it to Opening Day healthy, but Sánchez and Hernández opened the regular season on the disabled list.

During spring training, the team suffered several injuries to players that they had pegged to play with the Mets when the season opened on March 31. On March 1, Ryan Church collided with Marlon Anderson while trying to catch a fly ball, leaving Church with a concussion and Anderson with a bruised sternum. [cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2008/03/01/2008-03-01_marlon_anderson_ryan_church_collide_carl.html | title=Marlon Anderson, Ryan Church collide; Carlos Delgado sent home | publisher="Daily News" | last=Rubin | first=Adam | date=2008-03-01 | accessdate=2008-07-14] Ramón Castro aggravated his right hamstring injury on March 16, ending up with a sprain. It was more severe than first thought, keeping Castro out of play through the beginning of the season. [cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2008/03/17/2008-03-17_broken_bat_makes_mess_of_carlos_delgado.html | title=Broken bat makes mess of Carlos Delgado | publisher="Daily News" | last=Rubin | first=Adam | date=2008-03-17 | accessdate=2008-07-14] [cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2008/03/26/2008-03-26_raul_casanova_ready_to_catch_on.html | title=Raul Casanova ready to catch on | publisher="Daily News" | last=Rubin | first=Adam | date=2008-03-26 | accessdate=2008-07-14] Carlos Beltrán and Luis Castillo were late to start playing because they were both still recovering from offseason knee surgery, while Moisés Alou was held out of action because of hernia surgery. [cite news| url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/03122008/sports/mets/alou_who__101532.htm | title=Alou Who? | publisher="New York Post" | last=Hubbuch | first=Bart | date=2008-03-12 | accessdate=2008-07-14] Other players suffered minor injuries that held them out of many exhibition games, but they returned before the first game that counted.

John Maine had the strongest spring training performance from the pitching staff, leading all National League pitchers with a 1.53 ERA. [cite news| url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/04062008/sports/mets/spring_in_maines_step_is_gone_105248.htm | title=Spring In Maine's Step Is Gone | publisher="New York Post" | last=Willis | first=George | date=2008-04-06 | accessdate=2008-07-14] Maine went 3–1 over 29⅓ innings, with 33 strikeouts and five walks. [cite news| url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/04042008/sports/mets/mets__braves_in_maine_event_105021.htm | title=Mets, Braves In Maine Event | publisher="New York Post" | last=Bontemps | first=Tim | date=2008-04-04 | accessdate=2008-07-14] Angel Pagán was a surprising force on offense, batting .329 to win the starting left field competition that was open due to Alou's injury. [cite news| url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/04112008/sports/mets/pagan_enjoying_an_amazin_start_105991.htm | title=Pagan Enjoying An Amazin' Start | publisher="New York Post" | last=Hale | first=Mark | date=2008-04-11 | accessdate=2008-07-14]

Coming out of spring training, the Mets set their starting rotation with Johan Santana, Martínez, Maine, Óliver Pérez, and Mike Pelfrey in place of Hernández. The bullpen consisted of Billy Wagner, Aaron Heilman, Pedro Feliciano, Scott Schoeneweis, Matt Wise, and Joe Smith, who beat Brian Stokes for a spot on the roster. Brian Schneider, Carlos Delgado, Castillo, José Reyes, David Wright, Pagán, Beltrán, and Church started in the field. [cite news| url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080324&content_id=2455308 | title=Mets Opening Day outlook | publisher=MLB.com | last=Noble | first=Marty | date=2008-03-28 | accessdate=2008-07-14] Anderson, Damion Easley, and Endy Chávez were set as the bench players, joined by Brady Clark and Raul Casanova due to Alou's and Castro's injuries. [cite news| url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080330&content_id=2466538 | title=Mets finalize Opening Day roster | publisher=MLB.com | last=Noble | first=Marty | date=2008-03-30 | accessdate=2008-07-11] These decisions caused Rubén Gotay to lose his spot on the roster after playing in 98 games in 2007, so the Mets placed him on waivers, where he was claimed by the Atlanta Braves on March 28. [cite press release| url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080328&content_id=2463510 | title=Braves claim infielder Ruben Gotay off waivers | publisher=Atlanta Braves | date=2008-03-28 | accessdate=2008-07-14]

Regular season

Bullpen problems

The weakest part of the Mets team was their bullpen, which struggled throughout the season.cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/john_donovan/09/22/donovan.metspen/?cnn=yes|title=Daily Windup: Mets and their struggling bullpen limp to finish|last=Donovan|first=John|date=2008-09-22|publisher=SI.com|accessdate=2008-09-28]

Roster changes

*On June 13, 2008 the Mets acquired Trot Nixon via trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The move was deemed necessary due to multiple injuries in the Mets outfield.

*The Mets fired manager Willie Randolph as well as pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto just two hours after the team's 9-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Monday, June 16, 2008. They were replaced by interim manager Jerry Manuel and coaches Ken Oberkfell, Dan Warthen, and Luis Aguayo. [citeweb|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080617&content_id=2945363&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Mets name Manuel interim manager|]

eason standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

: