NEW YORK METS SPRING TRAINING AND SEASON OUTLOOK

PROBABLE PITCHERS:

SP--Johan Santana
SP--Pedro Martinez
SP--John Maine
SP--Aaron Heilman

5th Starters (possible)--Oliver Perez/Orlando Hernandez/Mike Pelfrey

P--Tony Armas Jr. (RHP)

P--Ambiorix Burgos (RHP)
P--Jorge Sosa (RHP)

P--Pedro Felician (LHP)
P--Scott Schoenweiss (LHP)

P--Matt Wise (RHP)

Closer--Billy Wagner

POSITIONS & UTILITY PLAYERS:
C--Brian Schneider
C--Ramon Castro
1B--Carlos Delgado
2B--Luis Castillo/Ruben Gotay
3B--David Wright
SS--Jose Reyes
OF--Moises Alou (LF)
OF--Carlos Beltran (CF)
OF--Ryan Church (RF)
UT--Endy Chavez, Marlon Anderson, Damian Easley, Angel Pagan

RESERVES/ROLES:

The Mets have a strong nucleus of position players and starting pitching, so the overall outlook of "extra help" is not going to be a huge thing (in spring training and during the season), unless injuries, or their older veterans have to have time off. In the case of either, this is the Mets "Achillies Heel," the having extra position player help. Ruben Gotay (a cast of from the Royals) can play second base to spell Castillo. He also can fill in at first and the Mets are working him in the outfield, as well. Endy Chavez, Marlon Anderson, and Damian Easley are all older players, with lesser talents. However, they all can play in a pinch. Chavez has the wheels to fill in pinch running, and can still play (CF & LF), if need be. Marlon Anderson is a good enough bat to spell some players, but is not a long term/everyday guy, if someone goes down for a month, same with Damian Easley. Although, they can play a multitude of positions, and could also come off of the bench for some extra roles. Then again, they could always go out and buy some "extras."

ROOKIES:

The well is kind of dry, for rookie players to step in and make an impact, for position players (as of now). With the exception of Carlos Gomez, who is probably a year/two away from coming up to the big club, there is not a lot of help this year. However, there are several pitchers that can come up and fill in, as needed. Phillip Humber, who was once a "can't miss stud," is now in the "can eat up some quality innings" category (after coming off of Tommy John Surgery, a full year ago), in a starting role (or long relief scenario, as well). There are a couple other pitchers, who may get a shot (albeit later in the season, maybe even in September), they are Willie Callazora and Carloz Nunez.

However, the possible prize in the rookie bullpen category, may be Joseph Smith. Smith who was called up to the big club where he showed his 95+ MPH sinking fastball and great change, to start out throwing 17 scoreless innings. However, fatigue (from coming thru the system fairly quick), having to shut it down for a week, and eventually finishing up being used sparingly, could bring him back to the bull pen in a fresh state and maybe even a set up role.

OVERALL OUTLOOK FOR SPRING:

The mets have a great blend of middle to high end veterans and up and coming superstars. They will go, as far as, their pitching will take them. With Santana, Maine, Heilman, Pedro Martinez (if healthy), and the extra possible starters (who could start for at least half, of the other teams in the league), Perez, Armas Jr., Orlando Hernandez, Mike Pelfrey, and possibly Phil Humber, they are stacked. However, pitching is a funny thing, with injuries, over working, and weather, the pitching will show where the Mets go.

However, they are poised to score 4+ runs a game, with Reyes and Castillo at the top of the order, with 'mashers' David Wright, Delgado, Alou, Beltran behind them. The bottom of the order just needs to hit around .260 and play good defense, and the top of the offense should take care of the rest. If anything above the .260 mark happens, it is just an added bonus, to an already potent line-up. Jose Reyes and David Wright are now looking like the left side, of the all-star teams infield, for the next ten years. Delgado, Beltran, and Alou should be strong enough, if they are healthy, to provide plenty of support and RBI's, on Wright and Reyes' off days.

In a nut shell, the National League East may be one of (if not "the") toughest leagues in baseball. However, the Mets have all the talent needed to make it back to the playoffs, if not as a wild card, than as the NL East Champions. The Mets are that good, "IF THEY ARE HEALTHY!"

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