| Scott Miller's Take |
|
Johan! Johan! Johan! Can two-time Cy Young winner Santana bring love, peace and happily-ever-after to Queens? It'll be a whole lot of fun watching him try, and credit general manager Omar Minaya for having the guts (desperation?) to make moves to keep the Mets both contenders and on the New York back pages. The looming question for the season, however, is whether this club can get past the scars from last year's choke. Video Outlook
Strengths
The Mets should have as good a No. 1 pitcher as there is in the NL East and, probably, in all of baseball. Indications this spring were that Pedro Martinez will be able to pitch, and Santana-Pedro as a 1-2 will open some eyes. The left side of the infield, third baseman David Wright and shortstop Jose Reyes, is sensational. The Mets will not lack for runs this season, though they may lack for starters from time to time because of age and brittleness.
Weaknesses
Hips. Hernias. Hamstrings. Shoulders. Old bones. Creaky ... you get the picture. Moises Alou couldn't even make it out of the spring before being felled by a hernia. He's hoping to be back by late April. First baseman Carlos Delgado's hip was sore earlier this spring and could become an issue again. Veteran second baseman Luis Castillo is good to go, but he is coming off of knee surgery.
Difference Maker
Moises Alou. He's 41, and he hasn't played 100 games in a season since 2005. The returns are beginning to diminish, but when he does play, man, can he hit. He batted .341 with 13 homers and 49 RBI in only 87 games for the Mets last season. Let's just say that the more he stays on the field, the easier life will be for the Mets.
|
|
|
|
OF Ryan Church, acquired in a trade from the Nationals, is one of the lesser-proven players on the Mets' roster. (Getty Images)
|
|
| Team Info |
2007 record: 88-74 (2nd in NL East)
Manager: Willie Randolph, 4th year (268-218)
Stadium: Shea Stadium (57,343; grass)
|
| Lineup |
| No. | Player | Comment |
| 1. | J. Reyes, SS | Hopefully his second-half slump is behind him |
| 2. | L. Castillo, 2B | Consistent at the plate and good glove |
| 3. | D. Wright, 3B | 2007 Gold Glove winner and All-Star offense |
| 4. | C. Beltran, CF | Knee problems seem behind him after surgery on both |
| 5. | C. Delgado, 1B | Not the power hitter he used to be |
| 6. | A. Pagan, LF | Mostly a reserve, but filling in for the injured M. Alou |
| 7. | R. Church, RF | Not proven but has potential |
| 8. | B. Schneider, C | Acquired in a trade with the Nats mostly for his defense |
| Pitching |
| Rotation | Comment |
| 1. |
J. Santana (L) |
Arguably the best pitcher in baseball |
| 2. |
P. Martinez (R) |
Can he stay healthy enough to be solid? |
| 3. |
O. Perez (L) |
Can be very effective if he is consistent |
| 4. |
J. Maine (R) |
Carried the Mets' pitching staff last season with 15 wins |
| 5. |
O. Hernandez (R) |
Coming off a surgically repaired foot |
| Closer |
Comment |
| B. Wagner (L) |
Despite his age, he can still throw hard |
|
