DC MLB Previews: New York Mets

Additions:
Fransisco Rodriguez
J.J. Putz
Livan Hernandez
Freddy Garcia
Alex Cora
Sean Green

Subtractions:
Duaner Sanchez
Orlando Hernandez
Moises Alou
Tom Glavine

Line Up
1. Jose Reyes SS
2. Daniel Murphy LF
3. David Wright 3B
4. Carlos Delgado 1B
5. Carlos Beltran CF
6. Ryan Church RF
7. Luis Castillo 2B
8. Brian Schneider C

Solid line up. They have the best lead off man and a ridiculously strong middle of the line up, but the key to this offense begins with Carlos Delgado. If Delgado can be more productive than last year, this team will be really dangerous. I'm not a big Daniel Murphy fan though.

Rotation:
1. Johan Santana LH
2. Mike Pelfrey RH
3. Oliver Perez LH
4. John Maine RH
5. Freddy Garcia RH
Closer Francisco Rodriguez RH

O.K., let me get this out of the way before people rip my head off. I really don't like the Mets at all. I think this rotation is vastly overrated and overlooked for problems they may have. Mike Pelfrey is not going to win close to 10 games this year and will be demoted 2 months into the season, who knows what you will get from Oliver Perez now that he has a contract. John Maine blows and Freddy Garcia is past his prime. I will be very surprised if Livan Hernandez isn't in the rotation by the end of the first month. Their bullpen is secure now with the acquisition of Rodriguez, Putz and Green, but Putz is going into a complete different situation that he is used to. Think of Eric Gagne.

Prospects:
1. Wilmer Flores, SS

At 17, his hype is compared to that of other top shortstop prospects Carlos Triunfel and Elvis Andrus, only Flores is already showing power potential. With comparisons to Miggy Cabrera already being made, expectations for him are enormous. Hopefully, the Mets will allow him to move one level at a time and avoid the same mistakes they made with Fernando Martinez.

2. Fernando Martinez

At 19, F-Mart’s performance in Double-A was a mixed bag. His .292/.345/.440 line was solid, but scouts still wonder when the power is going to begin to show in game situations? At this point, Martinez seems an injury free season away from really breaking out. He’s the one player on this list with the best chance of reaching A status by this time next year.

Overall:
The Mets will have the East within reach come late August and then another collapse will happen. The Pitching staff is worth a big concern and with the guys they have I don't see them being able to make it over the hump. It doesn't matter how good your bullpen is if your starters suck.

84-77