It's only February, but you can't help but wonder how these New York Mets will perform in September.
New York has collapsed in the final month of the past two regular seasons -- worse in 2007 than last year -- and both times fell just short of the playoffs.
The Mets spent the off-season in pursuit of pitching and overhauled a horrendous bullpen by signing Los Angeles Angels free-agent Francisco Rodriguez and trading for J.J. Putz. Rodriguez will replace All-Star closer Billy Wagner, expected to miss this season following elbow surgery. Putz, an All-Star closer for Seattle in 2007, says he's fine in the setup role.
Erratic lefty Oliver Perez was recently re-signed to a three-year, $36 million contract, meaning the starting rotation returns almost intact, with Johan Santana leading the way.
The lineup features plenty of pop with Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado, but the Mets declined to further upgrade their offense for the first season in the new, $800 million Citi Field.
Philadelphia ace Cole Hamels called the Mets "choke artists" after their fade last September. Mets fans know the only appropriate response for the Mets is to beat the defending World Series champion Phillies for the National League East title.
PROJECTIONS
BATTING ORDER
(bats, position)
Jose Reyes S, SS
Luis Castillo, S, 2B
David Wright, R, 3B
Carlos Beltran, S, CF
Carlos Delgado, L, 1B
Ryan Church, L, RF
Daniel Murphy, L, LF
Brian Schneider, L, C
STARTING ROTATION
Johan Santana, L
John Maine, R
Oliver Perez, L
Mike Pelfrey, R
Tim Redding, R
BULLPEN
Closer: Francisco Rodriguez, R
Pedro Feliciano, L
J.J. Putz, R
Sean Green, R
Bobby Parnell, R
Brian Stokes, R
Duaner Sanchez, R
MANAGER
Jerry Manuel begins his first full season with the Mets. He posted a 55-38 record after Willie Randolph was fired in a public-relations disaster for the team last June. Manuel may not have the problems Randolph did in relating to his players, but it was under his watch that the team went 10-17 last September and finished second to Philadelphia. Manuel has a new two-year contact -- with a club option for 2011 -- that seems about the going rate for a franchise that has had four different managers since 2002.
THREE QUESTIONS
-- 1. Will K-Rod put out the fire?
The Mets have suffered the past two years -- especially late in the season -- when they went to their bullpen. They should expect plenty of saves from Rodriguez after rewarding him for his single-season record 62 saves in 2008 with a three-year, $37 million contact. An equal weight is on setup men Feliciano, Putz, Green and Sanchez, among others, to pave the way for save opportunities.
-- 2. Will Castillo bounce back?
With Reyes consistent in getting the Mets offense started, Castillo has to produce from the No. 2 spot. Nagging hip and back injuries limited him to 87 games in 2008 and a .245 batting average, 47 points below his career mark. If he returns to form, it will set the table nicely for Wright, Beltran and Delgado.
-- 3. How much will the corner outfielders contribute?
Youngster Daniel Murphy (.313 avg.) and veteran Fernando Tatis (.297 avg.) will platoon in left field, but there's no guarantee they'll duplicate last season's surprising offensive production. More of a concern is the health of right-fielder Ryan Church, who struggled to come back from his second concussion last year. Church hit .333 before he went on disabled list July 6 but only .219 after returning Aug. 22.
STAR PLAYER
There are plenty of big names on this team, but how well Johan Santana pitches could be the deciding factor whether the Mets make the playoffs. Santana, who will be 30 March 13, is coming off career bests in ERA (2.53) and innings pitched (234). You sure can't blame Santana for last season, as he won 10 of his last 11 starts. With Santana at the front of the rotation and Rodriguez closing, it doesn't get much better than that.
LAST YEAR'S FINISH
New York was 89-73 and in second place, finishing 3 games behind Philadelphia in the NL East.
WHO IS NEW
Francisco Rodriguez (RHP), J.J. Putz (RHP), Tim Redding (RHP), Freddy Garcia (RHP), Alex Cora (INF), Sean Green (RHP), Jeremy Reed (OF), Cory Sullivan (OF), Rob Mackowiak (OF), Bobby Kielty (OF), Casey Fossum (LHP), Darren O'Day (RHP), Rocky Cherry (RHP, Valeria de los Santos (LHP), Kyle Snyder (RHP), Connor Robertson (RHP), Matt DeSalvo (RHP), Jon Switzer (LHP).
WHO IS GONE
Pedro Martinez (RHP), Joe Smith (RHP), Aaron Heilman (RHP), Scott Schoeneweis (LHP), Endy Chevez (OF), Damion Easley (2B), Luis Ayala (RHP), Moises Alou (LF), Claudio Vargas (RHP), Ramon Martinez (2B), Richardo Rincon (LHP), Matt Wise (RHP), Trot Nixon (OF), Orlando Hernandez (RHP)
(Compiled by Scripps Treasure Coast (Fla.) Newspapers.)
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