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	Tuesday, July 11
	Mets fans give midseason report ESPN.com
	We told you what we thought of the Mets' first-half performance, now you've told us. Here is what you had to say about our reports and what the Mets have to do in the second half: Although the Mets have played well in the first half, I still get the feeling that they're unstable...that they're teetering on the brink of a crash. The Mets are just one slump away from fourth place in the NL East, and if that happens, the pressure will ratchet way up. The Mets could be golden this year, but of all the teams in their division, they're the most likely to crash and burn. Chris Hamilton Tampa, Fla. I think your right about the Mets. It's up to GM Steve Phillips to get that power hitting outfielder they desperately need (left-handed preferred). Ventura needs to also pick it up. I think Valentine has to learn not to over-manage in the late innings and let his $80 million ball club do its job. Michael Paulsen Mahwah, N.J. I think a right-handed starting pitcher is the biggest need right now. The slugging outfielder that you mention may cost too much and I hate giving away prospects. I think there is enough offense to get the job done. A poor Brave's second half may be our best hope for the division title. A wild-card berth is probably our best chance. Adam Bransfield Orlando, Fla. The Mets are a team that is playing well, but you missed one vital aspect of the pitching. John Franco has turned into one of the premier set-up men in the league. Let's give a guy credit where it is due. He is second on the all-time save list, gets demoted, and does a great job, while still being one of the most important leaders on this team. Mike Downey East Northport, N.Y. At three games out of first and a one and a half game lead for the wild-card spot in the NL nothing is for sure yet. Add another good pitcher and an outfielder, and the Mets will be the team to beat in the NL. Take it from a fan that has rooted for the Mets for almost 30 years, this team is close to getting where it wants to get -- past Atlanta, and into the promised land. Joe Cardile Meeker, Colo. While Melvin Mora is a great asset to our team, I feel that the staff at ESPN has overlooked the contribution Derek Bell has made to the Mets. He should be the most surprising player at the break because of his hot bat and fantastic defense. Chrissy Colligan La Jolla, Calif. I feel the best thing about this Met team is their attitude. I think the more this team plays together, the better off they will be. I would like to see them add a starting pitcher, and leave the lineup just the way it is. Todd Zeile and Derek Bell have proven that they can play in the Big Apple, as has Mike Hampton after his slow start. If they can add someone like a Denny Neagle or Mike Mussina, it would only make their bullpen stronger. This team definitely will be playing in October. Dan Beckerman Myrtle Beach, S.C. There's a new king in the urban jungle. The Mets have proven themselves a pluckier, more resilient, more charismatic team this first half than their sulking, slumping crosstown counterparts. Not only are the Mets several games in front of the Yankees at the break-- dropping 4 out of 6 head-to-head games included -- but, perhaps more importantly in the PR capital of the world, they've been much better on-field theater. Francis Englert Scotch Plains, N.J. The Mets are proving everyone wrong who said that the team was too slow and too old to win, let alone compete with the mighty Braves. The Mets are legitimate playoff contenders and have true world series potential for the first time in over a decade. If Hampton and Leiter continue to pitch well, and if Piazza does half of what he has done so far, then the Mets may just win the whole darn thing. Mike Goldstein Boca Raton, Fla. My Mets stink. They show life and then lie down for the Braves and Yankees. Those teams step up; the Mets don't. Where's the killer instinct? Where's the seizing of opportunity? They don't have it, ever. They are wild-card bound at best, so there's no use building them up to something they're not. Jason Grady Lakewood, Calif. As an avid Mets fan, how can you realistically give the Mets four out of four baseballs as a rating? With inconsistencies with the back of the rotation, middle relief and offensive production, there is plenty of room for improvement. Ventura is hitting .240, the outfield is still somewhat unsettled other than the fact that we only need one outfielder now rather than two and an apparent need for left-handed middle relief due to an ineffective Dennis Cook. Plus the Mets need to play much better against the top competition in the league, notably Atlanta, Colorado, San Francisco and Arizona. Andrew Madison New York The biggest disappointment so far for the Mets has been their bullpen. Last year they were a sure thing. This year, I cringe at the sight of them. The bullpen has to come around for the Mets to do some damage in the playoffs. They can do it. Pat Donaghy Lido Beach, N.Y. We do not need another outfielder. What we need is quality pitching and an everyday shortstop. I am hoping that the only reason we have not acquired a shortstop yet is because we are waiting until next year for Alex Rodriguez. Eric King Cana, Va. After reading your article on analyzing the Mets I have a few concerns. I feel that it is up to the Mets to win the division, you make it seem like no matter how well the Mets play it is up to how the Braves play. I'm getting tired of hearing about the Braves. Let's move on. Take for instance the Mets pitching staff. Al Lieter and Mike Hampton have just as good stats as Maddux and Glavine, and when you look at relief, John Rocker has more security guards around him at games than he does saves. Anyway, lets concentrate on the Mets and leave the ball in their hands. Gregg Pulley Indianapolis, Ind. The Mets have made a strong run after a slow start to the season. The best thing that ever happened to this team was Ordonez going down with an injury so that we no longer have any automatic outs in our lineup. If Hampton and Leiter can continue their strong pitching, this might be the year that we can finally catch the Braves. Michael Feder Teaneck, N.J. How is Derek Bell not in your "biggest surprise" survey? For a guy, who ESPN said "may have been the most ineffective offensive player in baseball in 1999," to step up and become a capable No. 2 hitter on a contending team is amazing, and he's been crucial to their success. I bet the Astros kick themselves when they imagine how well this guy would be hitting in Enron this year. David Stolzar New York When you look at the Mets, it's easy to ignore the contribution of Benny Agbayani. Here's a guy who was considered a roster filler last season, and he was slated to be demoted at the beginning of the 2000 season. Due to injuries, he's stayed with the big club and responded with a solid first half, despite inconsistent playing time in the first 50 games. I think Agbayani has proven his value to the Mets, and has finally found the playing time he deserves. He's one of the unsung heroes of this team, and a big reason the Mets are in contention in the NL East. Kevin Frazier Fresno, Calif. The Mets need a strong, consistent lineup. Robin Ventura is not playing as well as he possibly could and if he becomes the player he has the potential to be, the Mets could be unstoppable. I believe that the Mets need to look for an outfielder that can come in and have an immediate impact on the ball club, even if it means trading Jay Payton or another young prospect. The Mets definitely have the team to finally end the Braves' National League dominance, but it really becomes a mental endurance. Every year they push the Braves to the edge and then self-destruct. Could this be the year they finally dethrone the kings? I hope so! Bill Thomas Charleston, W. Va. Disappointingly satisfied describes my feeling about the New York Mets. Disappointing because I was expecting to see something new out of this new group of ball players. Satisfied because they are only 2.5 games back of the first-place Braves. Alex Cepero Rockville Centre, N.Y. You guys mentioned that the Mets may be one slugging outfielder away from overtaking the Braves. I think that guy is Bobby Higginson in Detroit. He seems like a perfect fit: He's a lefty power-hitter, and he's in a contract year so they should be able to get him relatively cheap. It seems like a no brainer to me. Erik Anderson Bloomington, Ind.		ALSO SEE Midseason report: New York Mets