Location: Flushing, N.Y. | Ballpark: Shea Stadium (57,343) | Spring Training: Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Owner: Fred Wilpon | GM: Omar Minaya | Manager: Jerry Manuel | World Championships: 2
The Mets will break camp as definite contenders in the National League East, but not the "team to beat," as center fielder Carlos Beltran said in February, if their pitching doesn't hold up and they don't stay injury-free.
The fifth starter could be a black hole, as both right-handers Orlando Hernandez and Mike Pelfrey aren't ready for prime time.
Hernandez is still tinkering with a new wind-up designed to alleviate pressure on his right, or push-off, foot. Pelfrey, in his next to last exhibition start, gave up eight runs on 13 hits in 4 1/3 innings against St. Louis on March 23.
"We're still evaluating the fifth starter," Randolph said. "They didn't distinguish themselves."
If the Mets don't find a reliable fifth starter, their bullpen, which threw more than 500 innings last season, could be taxed again.
As it is, setup man Duaner Sanchez, who has had two shoulder surgeries in the last year and a half, will not be ready for the start of the season.
Most players like to get around 75 at-bats in spring training, but at the start of the final week, none had as many as 40.
Randolph expressed confidence the regulars could get enough at-bats to jell in the final week.
Despite their injuries, the Mets played well this spring, and All-Star third baseman David Wright said there has not been a hangover from last season's collapse, when the team blew a seven-game lead with 17 play.
"I think everybody in here is anxious to get going and put that behind us," Wright said.
PRIMED FOR A BIG SEASON All-Star SS Jose Reyes' second-half funk contributed to the team's collapse, and he said, "I take responsibility." Reyes has played with focus and aggressiveness this spring.
ON THE DECLINE 1B Carlos Delgado averaged 30 homers and 90 RBIs for 10 seasons, before injuries knocked him down to 24 and 87 last year. Delgado struggled this spring after missing a week with an injured hip, and there has to be concern.
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According to Joel Sherman over at the Post, the Mariners are all set to make J.J. Putz available to other teams. He further elaborates with the following on the Mets closer plans:
