2007: (88-74) 2nd place

Manager: Willie Randolph (4th season)

Key Additions -
P Johan Santana
C Brian Schneider
OF Ryan Church
OF Angel Pagan
P Ricardo Rincon

Key Losses -
P Tom Glavine (to ATL)
C Paul Lo Duca (to WAS)
OF Lastings Milledge (to WAS)
OF Shawn Green (released)

Projected Starting Lineup -
C - Brian Schneider
1B - Carlos Delgado
2B - Luis Castillo
SS - Jose Reyes
3B - David Wright
LF - Moises Alou, Endy Chavez
CF - Carlos Beltran
RF - Ryan Church

Projected Rotation -
1 - Johan Santana (L)
2 - Pedro Martinez (R)
3 - John Maine (R)
4 - Oliver Perez (L)
5 - Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez (R)

CL - Billy Wagner (L)
SU -Aaron Heilman (R), Pedro Feliciano (L)

Outlook:
After their monumental collapse enabled the Phillies to capture the division title (and make Jimmy Rollins look like Nostradamus), the Mets actually come into 2008 on a very positive note. That positive note, of course, being the acquisition of Johan Santana. The addition of the bonafide ace, teamed along with veterans Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez, and young-guns John Maine and Oliver Perez give the Mets a very solid five-man starting rotation. The starters will rely on steady setup men Aaron Heilman and Pedro Feliciano to get the ball to Billy Wagner at the end of games.

In terms of run production, the electrifying Jose Reyes sets the table at the top of the order. Reyes has posted tremendous steals, swiping a Major-League-Leading 78 bases last season. Looking to drive in Reyes and second-hole hitter Luis Castillo, are David Wright, Carlos Beltran, and Carlos Degado. Wright does it the “right” way by possessing tremendous power/speed numbers. Expect his OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) to be around the .950 area.

Beltran put up a 41 home-run, 116 RBI season two years ago, and battled through injures a year ago to put up another 30 plus home run and 100 plus RBI season. Delgado might be on the decline, but he does still have some pop left in the bat and will have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs.

Overall, in terms of their pitching staff and offensive punch, the Mets are the preseason favorite in the three-team NL East (sorry Nationals and Marlins). Expect Santana to give the team an overall boost and the Mets to be on a mission after last year’s choke job.

The Mets have a legitimate chance to be playing in the fall classic, but beware of injuries with this aging team. Already during spring training, they have 16 players on the injury report including key players Beltran, Delgado, Alou, Schneider, Church, and El Duque.

Fantasy Impact:
The Mets have three potential first round picks with Reyes, Wright, and Santana. Reyes will dominate the runs and steals categories, Wright is scary balanced with his .325 AVG, 30 HR, 107 RBI, and 34 SB, and Santana is as dominant as they come on the mound.

Expect Beltran to go in rounds 2-3, with his power/speed combination, and Maine to be the next Met starter selected. There are some questions about Pedro’s durability, and Delgado’s declining power numbers, so be sure to research these players if you do indeed to draft them.

Wagner will have plenty of opportunities for saves with solid ERA and WHIP ratios. He is among the top-tier of closers. A gem could be Oliver Perez. He showed tremendous signs last season, but needs to be more consistent. Perez can definitely help in the K category when he is on.

2B Castillo might provide a boost in runs, average, and stolen bases, but along with Alou (who will begin the season on the DL with a hernia) would be late round picks.

2008 projection: (91-71), 1st place
Team MVP: Johan Santana (how could you not give it to him)

Derek Rang

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