Terry Collins, Johan Santana Are Realistic, Optimistic About 2012 New York Mets

Last season, the Arizona Diamondbacks surprised the sports world by not only exceeding expectations, but by winning the NL West title.

This season, it could be the New York Mets that surprise everyone.

Manager Terry Collins anticipates that Johan Santana will be ready when the season starts. He wouldn't be surprised if the Mets receive a pleasant surprise from an unknown source.

It could be an unheralded rookie, a return to form by Jason Bay and/or David Wright or even Santana being the Santana of old.

Players respect Collins.

He didnt't pull punches when he stated that while the other NL East teams were adding stars and the Mets were losing them, a sense of optimism remained.

“It’s human nature to say, 'Wow, we’ve got a challenge on our hands,'” Collins said to the Associated Press. “The thing I want to get these guys to understand is it’s not acceptable to say, 'Well, we’re not supposed to be very good.’ I will not stand for that.”

Collins doesn't deny that the Mets aren't the division's most talented team, but he has been around the block a few times.

He seems to relish the chance to pull off an upset.

“It’s not always the best team that wins, it’s the team that plays the best that wins. We’ve got to be that club,” Collins said.

The Seattle Mariners lost Randy Johnson in 1998, Ken Griffey Jr. in 2000 and Alex Rodriguez in 2001. They won 116 games in 2001.

Santana has thrown off a mound twice so far. He will have a better idea of how his shoulder is responding deeper into spring training.

Collins intends to have former outfielder of the World Champion San Francisco Giants, Andres Torres, lead off.

Torres surprised in the 2010 season. He has the talent.

Daniel Murphy's bat makes him the second baseman.

Shortstop Ruben Tejada is only 22-years-old. Of course, now that we all know what an overrated statistic batting average has always been, we won't mention that Tejada batted .284 in 376 plate appearances in 2011.

And why were Jason Bay (.245), David Wright (.254) and Angel Pagan (.262) criticized for their batting averages? Daniel Murphy hit only six home runs with 24 walks and a .362 on base percentage, yet the first thing that is mentioned is his .320 average.

Regardless of what the 2012 season will bring, Santana has a message for Mets fans:

“Be positive. We’re here, we’re getting better, and a lot of these guys are excited about being back. We’re going to have fun and win some games."