2009 MLB Preview - New York Mets

New York Mets
Manager: Jerry Manuel (2nd season)
2008 Record: 89-73 (2nd NL East)


Added: OF Jeremy Reed (SEA), SP Livan Hernandez (MIN), RP Francisco Rodriguez (LAA), RP J.J. Putz (SEA)
Lost: OF Endy Chavez (SEA), RP Scott Schoenweis (AZ), RP Aaron Heilman (SEA), RP Joe Smith (CLE)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. SS Jose Reyes (.297, 113 R, 16 HR, 68 RBI, 56 SB) 2. 2B Luis Castillo (.245, 46 R, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 17 SB) 3. CF Carlos Beltran (.284, 116 R, 27 HR, 112 RBI, 25 SB) 4. 3B David Wright (.302, 115 R, 33 HR, 124 RBI) 5. 1B Carlos Delgado (.271, 96 R, 38 HR, 115 RBI) 6. LF Daniel Murphy (.313, 24 R, 2 HR, 17 RBI) 7. RF Ryan Church (.276, 54 R, 12 HR, 49 RBI) 8. C Brian Schneider(.257, 30 R, 9 HR, 38 RBI)

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. Johan Santana (16-7, 2.53 ERA, 206 K) 2. Mike Pelfrey (13-11, 3.72 ERA, 110 K) 3. Oliver Perez (10-7, 4.22 ERA, 180 K) 4. John Maine (10-8, 4.18 ERA, 122 K) 5. Livan Hernandez (13-11, 6.05 ERA, 67 K)

Bench
C Ramon Castro, IF Marlon Anderson, IF Alex Cora, OF Fernando Tatis, OF Angel Pagan

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
Francisco Rodriguez (62 SV, 68.1 IP, 54 H, 77 K, 2.24 ERA), J.J. Putz, Pedro Feliciano, Sean Green, Brian Stokes, Carlos Muniz

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Fantasy Studs: SS Jose Reyes, 3B David Wright, OF Carlos Beltran, SP Johan Santana, RP Francisco Rodriguez
Fantasy Sleepers: OF Daniel Murphy, SP Oliver Perez

Men In The Minors: 1B Nick Evans, SS Reese Havens, OF Fernando Martinez, SP Jon Niese

Home Ballpark: Citi Field (Grade Incomplete - New Ballpark)

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Team Outlook: It was another busy offseason for GM Omar Minaya and the Mets. After another regular season with no playoff berth, the Mets think they finally have what they need now. It starts with the pitching. Santana was his usual dominant self but he didn't get much help from Perez, Pelfrey and Maine. All three have great stuff and 15-win potential. If they help Santana out, this staff will be one of the best in the NL. The bullpen looks great with the additions of Rodriguez and Putz. Both have closer experience and are lights out when it matters. The rest of the bullpen isn't amazing but they should be able to overcome that. The lineup looks strong again with no real changes from last season. Reyes's numbers are expected to be even better. Beltran, Wright and Delgado make for a potent 3-4-5 combo, no matter what order they are. The one to watch may be Murphy though, who while young, carries a big stick and could have a great rookie year. It seems once again the pieces are in place for this team to make a deep run but lately, this team has been all about falling short of expectations. The NL East is better this year so expect them to contend, but it'll be a fight to the finish to win the division.

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