It Has Begun

Yesterday, players reported to Port St. Lucie, Florida, and it can be said that the New York Mets have officially kicked off their 47th season. Lots of exciting things, a few worrisome things, it doesn't matter, I just wanna get the season started and get the memory of 2007's morbid finale out of my head. Here's how it's gonna look:

STARTERS

Unless you've been living under a rock, or just generally don't care, you know the Mets were involved in probably the biggest trade of this off season when they acquired Johan Santana from the Twins for Carlos Gomez, who will be missed, & three pitchers. Now I know you're gonna say he gave up a ton of homeruns last year, but Shea is a flyball park and he won't be facing all those designated hitters here. Mark my words, the man will win 20 games. Pedro Martinez is healthy, maybe a little too healthy but after sitting out most of last year only to come in at the end of the season and pitch shut out baseball, is expected to continue where he left off. John Maine is my diamond in the ruff. I love this guy and I think that he won't be overshadowed by the top two in the rotation. And this year he will get that no hitter. Oliver Perez will look to have another 15 win season and El Duque is primed for a Nolan Ryan style comeback year. Mike Pelfrey, the youngest would-be starter in the lineup, had a rough season last year, but finished off the season comparably strong. Interested to see how he comes out of the gate as the potential number six man. I also hear someting of this guy Brian Stokes muscling the ball over the plate. Who knows what's going on there.

CATCHERS

With Lo Duca (no that is not his full name Francis) crawling away to the Nationals, Mets kept on Roman Castro and gained Brian Schneider in a trade with the Nationals for Lastings Milledge, which did not sit well with me. While Schneider is no spring chicken, I think that the combination of Castro's offense when rested and Schneider's experience calling games will balance well and make a strong duo behind the plate.

INFIELD

A welcome and familiar scene here, Mets could have the best infield in the National League if not all of the majors. As long as Carlos Delgado can stay healthy he is primed to return to his glory days and rediscover that behemoth of a swing. Castillo is gonna be on point now that he can feel comfortable in his new longterm home and his old buddy Santana on board. Reyes really needs to redeem himself after a miserable slump ended his 07 season, but the Mets adamant refusal to trade him, even for Santana is a good sign of their faith in Jose. And I predict a record season for third baseman David Wright this year. It's about time to show Ryan Howard who the most powerful hitter in the NL is. The infield's backups Ruben Gotay, Anderson Hernandez & Damion Easley put the mind at ease and are an easy go-to for late in the game relief.

OUTFIELD

They're calling it the ABC outfield this season: Alou, Beltran & Church. Ryan Church was included in that trade to the Nationals and will hopefully be favored over Milledge's explosive yet unrefined play in right field. Beltran was haunted by injuries last year so as long as he can stay healthy he has no reason not to make the amazing plays in center and swing the bat. Alou ended last season as the hero of this team and is one of the smartest hitters in the game today. Let's not forget about Endy Chavez, who will bounce around all three outfield positions and hold his own at the plate. And I can't not mention Marlon Anderson who, while not much of a position player, will retain the title of pinch-hitter extraordinaire in those interleague games.

BULLPEN

The final lineup is still unclear at this time, but I think the key for this bullpen is for Billy Wagner to climb back up out of the murky depths we saw him end last season in. That and the return of Duaner Sanchez will be a determining factor on winning or losing late in games. Other shoe-ins and middle relievers like Pedro Feliciano, Scott Schoeneweis, Aaron Heilman & Jorge Sosa have a lot to prove after catching most of the blame for the team's collapse last season but with Santana's ability to plow through late into games, this bullpen will get the rest they could need to be effective.

PREDICTION
It looks good on paper but we've been there before. Can't help but think Willie Randolph's job is on the line this year, and I for one would like to see him stick around, as long as it's the result of at least some playoff games. So my official prediciton for this season: 92-70. I look forward to watching every game.