New York Mets: Top Five Reasons to Believe in 2011

Another baseball season is nearing its conclusion and for the fourth consecutive October, the New York Mets are absent.  With the front office sending out signs that the team will not make a big free agent splash this offseason, many fans are depressed.

Many have given up on the Mets' 2011 season already, but there are certain things that the team has in place that should keep fans optimistic.

Here are the top five reasons to believe that it will be different for the Mets in 2011.

5. Blank Slate

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NEW YORK - AUGUST 14: Francisco Rodriguez #75 of the New York Mets enters the game in the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies on August 14, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Phillies de

Although this is the same for every MLB team, the Mets may need it more than any other team. 

With all the off the field issues with Francisco Rodriguez and Carlos Beltran, a fresh start is desperatly needed.

A fresh start doesn't guarentee anything, especially success, but it does give a fan base that has been through hell the last four season a small reason to believe in its team again.

4. Comebacks

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PHOENIX - JULY 20: Jason Bay #44 of the New York Mets reacts after striking out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on July 20, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Gett

The Mets motto for the 2011 season was, "We Believe In Combacks," well maybe they can reuse that slogan next year.

It is hard to believe that Jason Bay will be as bad as he was this season because he has shown he is a power hitter. If he can even hit 20 home runs next season, his second at Citi Field, that will be a huge addition.

Carlos Beltran, who struggled badly when he came off the DL after the All-Star break, has started to pick it up a bit in recent weeks.

If the Mets can get production from these two aging stars once again next season, their offense, which has been putrid this season, will improve by leaps and bounds.

3. Departures

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NEW YORK - MAY 10: Oliver Perez #46 of the New York Mets looks on from the dugout against the Washington Nationals on May 10, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Could Oliver Perez, Luis Castillo, and Manager Jerry Manuel all be gone this offseason? All the Mets fans in New York hope so.

The Mets have sent out signs that they won't add any big free agents this winter, so why not try addition by subtraction?  Getting rid of Castillo and Perez would open up spots for more productive players, even if you have to eat the money you would pay them any way.

Mets fans hope that they get their Christmas wishes, never to see Ollie and Castillo in orange and blue ever again.

2. Robert Allan Dickey

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: R.A. Dickey #43 of the New York Mets celebrates after beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-1 on September 14, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Image

This guy has been awesome this season and you can't say enough about his clubhouse presence.  He will be a Met next season and fans should be excited about it.

Other than a couple game when the wind took his knuckler over the fence, he has been the ace of this staff, after discovering himself at the age of 36.  But knuckleballers have a track record of longevity, so it possible Dickey could continue this success for the next several seasons.

The Mets may have lost Johan Santana for a part of 2011, but they may have a replacement in R.A. Dickey.

1. The Youth

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 05: Ike Davis #29 of the New York Mets watches the flight of his two run home run in the 8th inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 5, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

After watching the likes of Ike Davis and Josh Thole play during the 2010 season, how can't you be excited for the possible youth movement?

Davis, although he struggled in August, has had a solid season.  He has shown great bat control, power, and plate discipline, while playing an outstanding defensive first base.

Josh Thole has shown that he is a very good contact hitter and that he can call a good game behind the plate.

These two guys, along with Jenrry Mejia, showed be enough for Met fans to be optimistic not only for 2011, but for years to come.