It is easy to be down on the Mets. The team appears to be missing the playoffs again. The big-ticket signing, Jason Bay, may be out for the season after hitting just six home runs. But there have been some real positive developments in 2010, ones that bode well for 2011 as well.
1. Jonathon Niese is a legit starter. He's logged 138 innings of 3.33 ERA pitching, a strong 7.2 K/9 rate, 2.8 BB/9 rate means the Mets should have a frontline starter under control for years.
2. Angel Pagan's 2009 was not a fluke. The tremendous defensive outfielder followed up on his 121 OPS+ in 376 plate appearances with a 116 OPS+ in hist first 482 this season. Pagan is also under contract for 2011.
3. R.A. Dickey is for real. His 2.41 ERA in 119 1/3 innings may go up in 2011, but his peripherals -- 5.8 K/9, 2.3 BB/9 -- are very strong for a knuckleballer. He's under contract in 2011, and 35 is 25 in knuckleballer years.
4. David Wright's 2009 was a fluke. He's back up to a 131 OPS+, hitting for power, playing solid defense, and ready to be the signature star of the Mets for years to come.
5. Bobby Parnell is a contributor out of the bullpen. Thanks to a strong slider, his K/9 rate in 9.4, while he's cut his walks significantly -- just 2.2 BB/9. With some, well, questions about the current Met closer, Parnell looks poised to take the job in 2011.