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It's Mets time! Time for the Mets to embark on the new season after their
awful 2007 collapse caused them to miss the playoffs. Time to let go of last years disappointment, dust ourselves off,
and focus on the job at hand: playing fun exciting and most of all winning baseball! Mets fans are expecting alof
of this team and like the other 29 clubs in the MLB, we've made some moves to get better. We've got returning stars,
and some striving to make comebacks!
METS
2008 PROJECTED ROSTER
STARTING PITCHING
Johan Santana (LHP)
Pedro Martinez (RHP)
John Maine (RHP)
Oliver Perez (LHP)
Orlando Hernandez (RHP) /*Mike Pelfrey (RHP)
RELIEF CORPS
Billy Wagner -closer (LHP)
Aaron Heilman (RHP)
Matt Wise (RHP)
Jose Feliciano (LHP)
Jorge Sosa (RHP)
Joe Smith/Duaner Sanchez (RHP
*Scott Schoeneweis (LHP) (possible trade?)
*Brian Stokes (RHP)
CATCHER
Brian Schneider (L)
DL Ramon Castro (L) / *Raul Cassanova (L)
INFIELDERS
Carlos Delgado 1B (L)
Luis Castillo 2B (S)
Jose Reyes SS (S)
David Wright 3B (R)
Damion Easley (L)
Fernando Tatis (R)
Marlon Anderson (L)
OUTFIELDERS
Angel Pagan LF (R)
Carlos Beltran CF (S)
Ryan Church RF (L)
Endy Chavez (S)
DL Moises Alou (R)
*Brady Clark (R)
DL = Disabled list
*= Temporary sub or due to another player on
DL or possible trade.
PITCHING
SANTANA "MAGIC" PLAYS BIG IN ROTATION
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| JOHAN SANTANA |
The Mets archilles heal in the final month of the season was the team pitching. The starters inability
to go deep into games, and the ineffectiveness of an overworked bullpen. Mets fans were shocked when GM Omar
Minaya completed a trade with the Twins bringing left handed Cy Young winner, Johan Santana to Flushing for a handful of young
but promising players. Santana is the ace we have been seeking and will be a tremendous upgrade over an
aging Tom Glavine.
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| PEDRO MARTINEZ |
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| JOHN MAINE |
Pedro is Back
John Maine ready to Shine
A healthy Pedro Martinez makes a world of difference for the Mets. Essentially,
we now have two aces with him and his new buddy, Johan Santana. In this game where egos collide, its heartwarming to
see Pedro welcome and proclaim Santana the new ace. Pedro has been a great addition to the Mets since he came over in
2005. His energy, humour, and desire comradre with his teammates increases his overall value. Now that he is finally
healthy after nearly a season and a half, its very exciting to have him back anchoring the #2 slot in the rotation.
John Maine took more giant steps in 2007 to become a future ace. Now with Santana
and a healthy Martinez, he doesn't have to assume bigger shoes - but he will soon enough. John's got the stuff
and I expect him to win 20 games.
Lefty Oliver Perez won 15 games last year and like Maine, has grown as a pitcher.
Ollie has great energy and fans love his jumping over the foul line. Lets hope he can keep his focus and be consistently
strong all year.
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| BILLY WAGNER |
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| JOSE REYES |
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| DAVID WRIGHT |
METS NEED CO-MVPS TO LEAD THE WAY
Considering that the Mets have some injuries and questions about their regular lineup,
the two Mets homegrown superstars Jose Reyes and David Wright need to step it up and be true leaders. Jose had
an awful slump in the second half in 2007, and his desire was in question. There is alot of pressure playing in New
York, and Jose is a great talent. His speed ignites the offense and as Jose goes, so goes the Mets. So lets hope
the winter has served to help Jose prepare to get his game back. What I have loved about watching Jose over the last
few years is he has fun on field. Sometimes he carries it too far - the dugout antics ticked off some of our opponents.
Also, Jose has done these wonderful "Professor Reyes" videos shown at Shea in which he teaches spanish. Supposedly he
is discontinuing these lesssons and I would hope that he will change his mind.
David Wright is fast becoming one of the greatest Mets ever. He has improved each
year and last year was clutch especially when we neeeded it most. He won his first gold glove at thirdbase, and has
been an outspoken leader in the clubhouse and the media. With Delgado and Beltran coming back from injuries, Alou out
the first month or so, David will be called upon assume an even larger role offensively than he has in the past!
He may very well have to be the Mets own superman!
THE RETURN OF DELGAAAAADO??
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| CARLOS BELTRAN AND CARLOS DELGADO |
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