2008 MLB Preview: New York Mets

Manager: Willie Randolph

Arrivals: OF Ryan Church, OF Angel Pagan, SP Johan Santana, C Brian Schneider, RP Matt Wise

Departures: 1B Jeff Conine*, C Johnny Estrada, SP Tom Glavine, CF Chris Gomez, OF Shawn Green*, C Paul Lo Duca, OF Lastings Milledge, RP Guillermo Mota

Offseason grade: A

Starting rotation

While the addition of Johan Santana gives the Mets the best pitcher in the National League, the rest of the rotation behind Santana is not as strong as the Mets' strongest competitor in the division, the Phillies. 

Pedro Martinez had success in the five games he started in 2007, going 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA, and there's no reason to believe that Martinez can't put up those numbers over the course of a whole season...if he can stay healthy.

That's been a big if for him the last few years though.

If Martinez goes down, Mike Pelfrey—who the Mets somehow hung on to despite trading for Santana—likely would take over in the rotation. 

John Maine and Oliver Perez put up nearly identical numbers in 2007, both going 15-10 with ERAs of 3.91 and 3.56, respectively.

The addition of Orlando Hernandez gives the Mets a nice veteran presence at the back end of the rotation, but, like Martinez, El Duque is injury-prone.

If Martinez and El Duque are injured at the same time, Omar Minaya will have to scramble to find an in-house replacement or make a trade. If healthy, the Mets have a very, very good rotation, but I would be surprised if Martinez and El Duque are healthy at the same time.

Starting rotation grade: B+

Bullpen

One of the most consistent things in baseball is how inconsistent bullpens are from year to year. The Mets appear to be set up (ha, get it?) well behind Billy Wagner with lefty Pedro Feliciano and righties Aaron Heilman and Duaner Sanchez, who could finally return after not pitching since a July 2006 car accident.

Jorge Sosa is a solid long reliever who could take over for an injured Martinez or El Duque, but he's much better suited coming out of the bullpen. Joe Smith should improve off the good rookie season he had in 2007 and gives Willie Randolph an extra option for a late-inning righty, as his funky delivery makes him almost a ROOGY (Righty One Out Guy).

If Sanchez is back and 100 percent, the Mets should have a very good bullpen that theoretically shouldn't falter down the stretch.

Bullpen grade: A-

Lineup

The top four hitters in the Mets lineup—Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo, David Wright, and Carlos Beltran—are the good news.

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