Well, this post was meant for yesterday.

Then I got the dreaded WHOOPS sign, just after I had posted and deleted my file.

So anyhow, I retyped the whole thing, only to see that the system had indeed saved some of the data.

Ugh.

I'm giving serious consideration to leaving FoxBlogs and trying to hook on with RealSportsBloggers or go independent

New York Mets - Team Preview

The Mets have had their offseason dominated by one subject.

Lastings Milledge.

Okay just kidding.

Seriously, the Santana deal was an absolute coup for the Mets, who add the ace they've sorely needed for pocket change and upside.  However, the Milledge deal hurt the Mets badly, as it saw the exodus of talent in exchange of overpaid vets that really had no business starting for any team, and yet are going to be counted on to be a big part of the Mets' title hopes. 

Starting Rotation

• Johan Santana (LHP) - Credit Omar Minaya for this, he was able to exploit a volitile situation and was able to bring in the best pitcher in the league.  Santana is flat out dominant and has proven to be a horse in the past few years.  While he does remain homer prone, he is moving to the National League and will have a excellent defense and lots of pitchers parks to play in.  He's also likely going to be the defacto Cy Young award winner for the next four years or so.
• Pedro Martinez (RHP) - Pedro looked like the Pedro of Old when he came back last year, showing that he could be dominant even without his old fastball.  The arrival of Santana pushes Pedro down to the Number Two slot, where he'll still be depended on, but not to be an ace and stopper as much.
• John Maine (RHP) - Maine is continuing to establish himself as a very good middle of the rotation option, though he did tire in the second half of last year.  Because Maine has missed time due to injury before, I'll chalk it up as simply fatigue, with the hope that it is just a part of the learning curve.
• Oliver Perez (LHP) - Talented, but inconsistent, Perez enters his walk year ready to cash in.  Perez has greatly benefited from moving to the Mets and he certainly has the stuff to be a top of the rotation starter, but he's just so damn inconsistent.
• Orlando Hernandez (RHP) - I'm not sure what exactly Hernandez has left, but he's a decent option here as the fifth starter.  Don't expect him to make 30 starts this year, though.

Bullpen

• Billy Wagner (Closer) - Wagner still is a solid closer, though he did experience some dead arm last season.  If the Mets pen is able to be solid, perhaps the Mets could limit Wagner's aging arm and give Heilman some opportunities, if only to save their best reliever for October.

• Aaron Heilman (Setup Man) - Heilman has found his nitch as a setup man, though a rough start did cause him to lose some of his luster.  Still, quality setup men are a commodity and the Mets have a good one here.

• Duaner Sanchez (RHP) - If the Mets pen is to rebound, they sorely need Sanchez to return to the form he flashed after they acquired him from the Pirates.  If his numerous injury troubles are behind him, Sanchez could lighten the load on both Heilman and Wagner. 

• Scott Schowenweis (LHP) - A impressive twelve game stretch with the Reds got Schowenweis a big payday from the Mets.  Now, he's likely going to be limited to mop up duty.

• Matt Wise (RHP) - A shrewd move by Minaya, Wise is a good middle reliever that was cut by the Brewers for some unknown reason.  He should be able to give them some innings, especially in a bad El Duque start.

• Jorge Sosa (RHP) - Sosa was a adequate swingman last season for New York and will contribute out of the pen this season, serving as a shadow for certain starters and as a spot starter/long man.

• Pedro Feliciano (LHP) - Not bad as a lefty reliever, Feliciano completes the bullpen puzzle here. 

Starting Lineup

1. Jose Reyes (SS) - Despite the batting average, Reyes has improved a lot from last season.  He improved in almost every facet of his game and should continue being one of the premier leadoff men in baseball.    

2. Luis Castillo (2B) - Castillo's deal is kinda confusing.  He's clearly a player in decline and will likely be terrible the last two years of his contract as his speed continues to evaporate.  He's still a capable defender, however, though his range is declining slowly.  Anyhow, the Mets are considering the near future when it comes to Castillo, so this deal will be okay for the first two years, but almost horrible the last two.

3. Carlos Delgado (1B) - Delgado wasn't the force last season that he was in 2006, and though he says that the year shouldn't be held against him, it might be a sign of things to come.  Delgado is going to be 36 in June and will likely continue to decline, meaning don't expect to see power numbers close to .500 again.  The Mets will ride out the year, hope that Delgado may have enough left for one last ride before moving on to the next option, likely Mark Teixeira of the Braves.
4. Carlos Beltran (CF) - The best centerfielder in baseball, hands down, Beltran should continue to be a force with his blend of speed and power in the heart of the lineup.
5. David Wright (3B) - A flat out star, Wright is one of the best young third basemen in the game.  He can hit for power, is starting to improve on his walk total, while flashing a great glove and even some speed.  The lone flaw are the high strikeout totals.  Still, that's only a minor quibble, as Wright could play on any team, save the Yankees (who have Alex Rodriguez).
6. Moises Alou (LF) - Alou still has a lot of thunder in his bat, but he's also not able to play everyday.  Still, he is a bargain and will be worth the millions he's getting paid to crush the ball.
7. Ryan Church (RF) - Church has some decent pop off of him, but he's very much mortal against lefties and likely won't sustain over the long hall.  He's a better bet to produce instead of Shawn Green, but Lastings Milledge should be a better player than Church over the next four years.
8. Brian Schneider (C) - The other part of the "bounty" from the Lastings Milledge trade, Schneider is not a starting catcher.  He's awful on offense, he's fallen apart defensively and really should be a backup, not a starter.  While he will be splitting time with Ramon Castro, the Mets were probably better off just keeping Johnny Estrada for the year and going after Kenji Johjima as a free agent.  Or, better yet, trade for a young catcher with Milledge as the bait instead.  

Bench

• Ramon Castro (C) - Castro has solid power as a catcher, but he has had problems making contact.  He's a solid reciever though and overall is a good backup to have.  He'll likely see an increase in playing time this year, as Schnieder is..well...awful.
• Ruben Gotay (INF) - Gotay has seemingly found use as a utilityman, though he's stretched as a starter.

   

• Damion Easley (UTIL) - Still has use as a lefty killer, Easley will probably platoon with Church in right field.

• Endy Chavez (OF) - A decent fourth outfielder, Chavez has speed and is able to hit for an empty batting average.  Though it's not recommended, Chavez may see a lot of time as a starter this season, which isn't out of the question considering some of the age in the lineup.

• Angel Pagan (OF) - Not sure why the Mets would bring in Pagan, who is much like Chavez except cheaper.  Regardless, this is likely a move to ensure that in the event that Chavez is pressed into emergency starting duty, not unlikely considering the health and brittleness of Alou and Church, that they would be okay with a backup backup outfielder in the fold.

Minor League Notables

• Joe Smith (RHP) - A decent setup man, Smith could very well make the team out of Spring Training with a solid campaign.
• Eddie Kunz (RHP) - Oregon State's closer has a cannon of an arm, but his control is just so inconsistent that he might not be able to rise as quickly as other college closers.  Will that stop the Mets if they need an arm?  Not likely.
• Mike Pelfrey (RHP) - Pelfrey remains the best arm in the Mets' system, but his struggles at the major league level are starting to worry me.  He seems to have regressed, possibly because the Mets have rushed him, and partially because he is listening to Boras' coaches more than his team's.  This is likely a make or break year for him this year, as if he fails once more, he's likely going to be moved to the pen.
• Fernando Martinez (CF) - The Mets' top prospect, Martinez has already been rushed through the system.  He's got superstar potential, but the problem is that he's just so raw.  He's at least two years away.  Unfortunately, should the Mets suddenly have their outfield drop like flies once again, you just know they'll rush Martinez. 

Final Analysis

The rotation alone is enough to almost guarnatee the Mets the division this year, but this team isn't without it's flaws.  Much of the rotation is a health risk, as is much of the lineup and the bench is rather thin.  I'm picking the Mets to win right now, but this team is one injury away from the Wild Card and Third Place.

Final Prediction - Division Winner, National League East