New York Mets' Lineup Needs To Start Producing

The New York Mets finally have their ideal lineup, and now it's time to start producing.

Throughout the season, I've had a feeling Jerry Manual was going with the saying from last year that didn't impress any fans. He wanted to basically stay within striking distance until players came off the disabled list.

We know Jose Reyes is at the top of the lineup and Carlos Beltran is hitting cleanup; the Mets should have no lack of offense from top to the eight-hole (I'll give the pitcher a little slack).

With Angel Pagan holding more than his own while he replaced Beltran, players such as Jeff Francoeur and Jason Bay need to pick it up. Bay isn't producing in the home-run department like he was expected to, and Franceour's bat is so bad that his terrific arm in right field just isn't a good enough replacement to get him starts every day.

Granted, the Mets paid Bay enough money to play him everyday, but his bat may become a liability toward the end of the season if he doesn't start producing.

David Wright has surpassed his terrible season from last year, so anything he has put up so far is a bonus. When Reyes scores, the Mets win. I know it's much easier said than done, but it's a fact.

Mike Pelfrey isn't doing what he did in the first two months of the season, so the bullpen is going to be in high demand; it may be time for the front office to make a move to bring in a solid reliever.

Oliver Perez is scheduled to come off the disabled list this week and he could rejoin the team in Arizona; he is headed to the bullpen. I'm still not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but I guess we will find out soon enough.

With rookie Jon Niese and journeyman R.A. Dickey anchoring the staff, all they need to do is keep the Mets in games and hope their offense can come through in the late innings.

This should be a very interesting last few months of the season.